Next year sees South Africa arrive on British soil keen to continue their fine recent record against England and determined to avenge their 2-1 series defeat at home to Alastair Cook’s men last winter.
England secured their first series victory in South Africa since 2004/5 with a historic victory in the third Test in Johannesburg against the Proteas.
AB de Villiers and co, now short of the superstars such as Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis, have slipped to 5th in the ICC Test Rankings during a transitional phase.
However, in captain de Villiers they retain one of the most exciting talents on the planet and a player well equipped to lead them into a new era.
The 32-year-old’s experimentation with the gloves over recent times has perhaps coincided with losses of form, so he will be relieved to see the re-emergence of Quinton de Kock on the Test scene.
The left-hander filled in for Dean Elgar at the top of the order in the Test series triumph over New Zealand, scoring 82 and 50 at Centurion in South Africa’s 204-run victory.
Having struggled for runs since the loss of Smith and Kallis, a middle order now comprising of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, de Villiers along with Temba Bavuma and JP Duminy possesses plenty of quality.
Amla showcased his supreme class with 201 in Cape Town during England’s recent visit whilst Bavuma, who also added 102* in that innings, his first Test century, is an exciting young talent.
A hallmark of South Africa’s success in recent visits to England has been there ability to field a four strong pace attack in helpful bowling conditions.
Now well known to Glamorgan fans paceman Dale Steyn and his partner Morne Morkel will spearhead the Proteas’ attack, leaving two spots to fill, and with Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander plus Kyle Abbott, the South African bowling ranks are well stocked.
Rabada is one of the most exciting members of that pack, having emerged on to the international scene with the ability to bowl 90mph and the 21-year-old will likely be a handful during his first series in England after enjoying a short stint with Kent this year.
With the off spin of Dane Piedt, South Africa look to have a balanced attack as they aim to maintain their unbeaten run on English soil, where they haven’t lost a Test series since 1998.
The 2017 clash in Cardiff sees South Africa face England in the third and final NatWest International T20. The two have not met in Cardiff in the shortest format before, but have played five limited overs matches at the ground, since the Welsh capital started hosting international cricket.
The first game in Cardiff was a NatWest Series match against Zimbabwe in 2003, with a squad including a number of players who have worn the daffodil on their chest, including Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Martin van Jaarsveld and current captain Jacques Rudolph.
This was their only victory at The SSE SWALEC, with their last two games coming in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where they contested the opening game of the tournament against the eventual champions India followed by a nail-biting Duckworth-Lewis tie with West Indies which was enough to see the Proteas into the knockout round. Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram hit 73 in the match off 63 balls with the kind of form the Welsh county’s supporters have become well accustomed to witnessing.
South Africa in Cardiff 2003 - 2013
South Africa v Zimbabwe – 2003 NatWest Series One-Day International – SA won by 9 wickets
England v South Africa – 2008 One-Day International – No result
England v South Africa – 2012 One-Day International – No result
South Africa v India -– 2013 ICC Champions Trophy – India won by 26 runs
West Indies v South Africa – 2013 ICC Champions Trophy – Match Tied (D/L method)
The SSE SWALEC will host the third NatWest International T20 fixture between England and South Africa, along with four ICC Champions Trophy fixtures in 2017.
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