South Africa Test skipper Dean Elgar has urged his teammates to choose national duty in a series against Bangladesh over the upcoming IPL as it is a test of loyalty for them and the country must be their priority.

South Africa are set to play three one-dayers and two Tests against Bangladesh starting March 18, while the IPL is scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 29. The ODIs will be held on March 18, 20 and 23, followed by two Tests starting on March 31 and ending on April 12.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Cricket South Africa has left it on the players to decide between the lucrative league and turning up for the country in the Bangladesh series.

“The players need to give Cricket South Africa an indication of if they are keen to go to the IPL or if they are keen to play for the Test side. It’s a bit of a tough one putting that in the players’ box but this, I guess, is where you see where the players’ loyalty lies,” Elgar said.

“They mustn’t forget that Test cricket or one-day cricket got them into the IPL and not the other way around.”

As many as 11 South Africa players, including six Test regulars and three ODI players, have been roped in by different franchises at this year’s IPL. “I wish I knew more for my own personal sanity and that I could prepare, knowing that most of my bowlers are potentially not going to be there if they choose to go the IPL route,” Elgar said.