South Africa have given up trying to convince former Saints midfielder Andrew Surman to be involved at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Johannesburg-born Surman spent his formative years in South Africa, but has turned down Bafana Bafana again, as he did during his Saints days.

The Cup of Nations would make Surman unavailable to Norwich for at least a month, with the tournament kicking off on January 19.

Coach Gordon Igesund said: “I believe he didn’t show us the interest and passion we had expected to play for Bafana Bafana – we got the feeling that he is not ready to commit to us so we will not be pursuing that mission anymore.”

South Africa began a training camp yesterday ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with a Zambia side expected to include Saints striker Emmanuel Mayuka.