South Africa vs England: New Test captain AB de Villiers looks to the future after year without a win

To some observers, South Africa have looked in increasing turmoil this past month. Indeed, taking into account the length of time since they won a Test match, that could extend to this past year.

It was no real surprise, therefore, that AB de Villiers, their new Test captain, should seek to explain yesterday why this was not the case. He did not quite say that everything was tickety-boo at present but he was looking to the future.

“We’ve been naive in thinking we can go on in the way we have been,” he said. “We need advice and help, not just with a batting coach but other areas as well. It will be discussed after this series. A batting coach is the first thing we need to address and a few names have already been thrown into the hat.”

He did not quite say it but it sounded as though the wheels were coming off. It may be why, when he was given the opportunity, he seized on England’s deficiencies. The final match of this series will also be a test of De Villiers’ ability to galvanise his troops after they have already lost the series.

“There are no dead rubbers when it comes to Test cricket,” he said. “The game has got way too much culture and tradition and history for us to just rock up and think it doesn’t mean anything. It’s a huge game for us – we’d hate to lose 3-0. I think 2-1 sounds a lot better.

“It’d be great to win a Test match – we haven’t won one for 12 months. So we are rebuilding a little bit and trying to find our feet. I think it’s time for us to wake up and start playing proper cricket. I don’t think we are that far off the beat in the last few games, but unfortunately we came up short in a couple of really important sessions. We’ll be trying to do that better in the next Test match.”

De Villiers said he would like to continue leading the team after this series without committing himself to the long term. The selectors will make yet more changes for this Test, with the 33-year-old Stephen Cook named as a definite starter in an attempt to rectify the deep problems at the top of the order, where South Africa have foolishly risked peril by playing a makeshift opener.

They will also reintroduce the off-spinner Dane Piedt at Centurion and shuffle their pace attack, which was patently short of control at the Wanderers (and before that in Cape Town) in the continued absence of the injured Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

“You can say that we maybe got the balance a bit wrong in the last Test match,” said De Villiers. “We were a little bit desperate to get a result and make something happen in that last match. We backed the plans we had and, unfortunately, they didn’t pay off.

“We’re maybe looking at a bit more experience in the bowling attack, someone who can hold up an end. A spinner is a great possibility at this ground. I always believe a spinner has a role to play here.”

But South Africa and De Villiers have to look beyond this match – in which they will be encouraged by South Africa’s formidable record at the ground. Of the 20 Tests, they have won 15. It may be pertinent that they have never defeated England here.

“I have seen plenty of talent at domestic level but it’s about getting experience and spending time in the international environment,” added De Villiers. “I’m excited about what’s to come, we will have a wonderful bowling attack but I don’t know how long it will take.” It could become tougher before it gets better.