It’s time for Morné and AB to step up
• Proteas skipper Du Plessis out to guide team to first series win over Aussies in SA in 48 years
The last time SA played a Test against Australia at Kingsmead in 2009, current captain Faf du Plessis was starting to make his run-making weight felt at franchise level.
His two Titans team-mates, AB de Villiers and Morné Morkel, were already established Test regulars. The former has a huge point to prove, having not scored a Test century in 13 matches since January 2015, while the latter is winding down an international career that started at Kingsmead against India back in 2006.
Either way, Du Plessis will need the pair to fire on all cylinders for the first Test against Australia that starts at Kingsmead on Thursday.
There were broken fingers and chipped chins courtesy of Mitchell Johnson some nine years ago, and the Australian team — as competitive as ever — still pack a fearsome, young and skilful attack.
De Villiers made a valiant but fruitless second-innings 84 while Morkel found himself dropped for the next Test after a caning at the hands of the late Phil Hughes.
Australia then went on to wrap up a fourth consecutive series win in SA, thanks to a 175run win.
However, De Villiers has not quite delivered in the manner that he wants to, and Du Plessis felt his good friend may finally come good.
De Villiers made two matchturning contributions in the first and second Tests of the India series without getting to triple figures. There is also the imposing figure of Morkel, who will want to start his final Test series with a bang.
“What I can say about AB is that he’s extremely motivated for this series. He understands that he’s one of the best players in the world and if he has a quiet series, it makes him want to do more,” the skipper said.
“He doesn’t want people talking about him not performing. The motivation for that will be a very big performance.
“Morne’s been an absolute legend of a servant for South African cricket. He’s been a great team man for the last 12 years and he’s served the team well. He will be missed but, as he said, we understand his reasons and he’s got his family to look after.
“He’ll be a difficult guy to replace, but the good thing is we’ve got Lungi Ngidi coming through to take his place.”
Australia are highly unlikely to make changes to the starting 11 that thrashed England in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney early in January.
They caned the Old Enemy 4-0, regaining the Ashes unceremoniously while captain Steve Smith scored 687 runs in the five matches.
The Proteas are mulling the option of six batsmen and five bowlers or seven batsmen and four bowlers because of Australia’s bowling strength.
Theunis de Bruyn is the