The tour of India has given new Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl a clearer understanding of what needs to be done ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the sub-continent next year.

Speaking after the Proteas' return from India on Monday, Van Zyl - who was appointed coach less than a week before the team's departure following the sudden resignation of predecessor Mickey Arthur - said he had more information after being away with the team for a month.

"I went there with a lot of guys that are probably going to represent South Africa next year. I've come back with knowledge and information with regard to the squad, and with regard to the way certain individuals performed under certain conditions.

"I think we have laid down the first building block in starting to build something new and hopefully something more consistent going towards the World Cup."

Van Zyl said having his position confirmed until after the World Cup in 2011, had been important to him and also for the team.

"It was difficult -the team also felt the uncertainty. You can never under-estimate the effect of this type of thing, but that's been put in place and is no longer something to worry about."

He said among his goals for the coming year was greater consistency in performance and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

"It is a concern we could play so well to win the first Test in Nagpur, and then we let ourselves down badly in Kolkata. In one session, we gave the advantage away.

"Consistency is the key if we want to get to number one and stay there," said Van Zyl.

"We also need to win the big moments, and that means staying calm in pressure situations. We also learnt in India big partnerships are very important and our bowlers learnt the margins for error on the sub-continent are very small.

"We were able to use the tour to look at different combinations and options, and now we need to sit down with management and the selectors and plot the way forward.

"If we can keep clear heads, we'll be on the right side."

National captain Graeme Smith, said it had been very disappointing not to have won the Test series.

"For the second time in India, we went into the final Test with a 1-0 advantage. We started off well, and had the game in our hands, but when things started to fall apart in the afternoon, no-one took control of the situation.

"I think we missed having Mark Boucher there, who would have kept things calm. That session got away from us, and it's very difficult to play catch-up in India," said Smith.