After a topsy-turvy limited overs tour to England, the Proteas get down to the serious business of defending their World Test Championship title in October.
With the fast, furious and at times farcical action on English soil behind them, SA must reset mentally for a challenging red ball duel.
There were high and lows on the England tour, and coach Shukri Conrad will be satisfied with the overall showing of his side in testing conditions.
SA beat England 2-1 in the three-match ODI series, and the T20 series was shared 1-1 after the final game in Nottingham was washed out.
Though the Proteas impressed in the opening two ODIs, they will not look back on their third clash in Southampton with any fondness.
With the series already won, SA slumped to a devastating 347-run defeat — the largest in one-day international history.
Reduced to a staggering 7/4 in the fifth over, the Proteas were in danger of recording a record low total for an ODI.
Skipper Temba Bavuma said the huge loss should not define what had been an excellent few weeks for the team.
He said the Proteas had arrived in England with a fairly inexperienced side and there had been several moments to cherish.
Despite that catastrophic setback, the tour will have given Conrad valuable insights on the potential of his white ball squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which starts in February.
Before the global event, the Proteas will have to undergo a mindset switch as they prepare for a challenging two-match Test series against Pakistan, starting on October 12.
It is SA’s first tour to Pakistan in four years and promises to deliver top-class red ball action.
The Tests will be followed by a T20 and ODI series, each comprising three matches.
SA lifted the World Test Championship trophy after a memorable victory against Australia at Lord’s and face a tough title defence.
Conrad has sparked a revival in the Proteas’ ranks across all three formats after Rob Walter’s surprise resignation in April.
Just how far they have advanced under his leadership will become clearer after the Pakistan tour.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.