Former Proteas allrounder Vernon Philander has called for “honest conversations” after South Africa’s latest ICC Champions Trophy semi-final exit.

Temba Bavuma’s team went down by 50 runs to New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday night - their fifth Champions League semi-final exit and ninth overall in major ICC tournament semis.

Philander, who played in the 2015 World Cup semi-final defeat also to the Black Caps, believes the Proteas players have sufficient experience and talent to get the job done at major tournaments, but yet fall short due to insufficient planning and preparation.

"I just think Cricket South Africa will need to have an overall look at the way they approach, the way they prepare [for ICC tournaments]," Philander said on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day show.

"And that starts from the top - from your coaches, from your video analysis: 'What's going to make my players more effective?' and then you give the charge over to the captain and say 'off you go'. So yeah, I just think a lot more planning that needs to be taking place heading into these tournaments."

"I do feel it's a conversation that needs to happen at the top. I think we've got enough players playing in the IPL. They've got enough experience playing on these slower surfaces.

"So, it is a conversation, and an open conversation. At the end of the day you also need to be honest sitting around the table when those kinds of chat do transpire.

"I do feel from a talent point of view, South Africa have got plenty. But it's about making those right calls for the conditions at hand. I certainly feel we are not too far away from lifting silverware, but at the end of the day, those honest conversations will need to be had sooner or later."