Johannesburg – These have been testing times for South African cricket, with Kagiso Rabada and Temba Bavuma distant lights in an otherwise dark abyss.
The coach is irritated with criticism from the media and former players – most notably the guy who used to captain the team – as are some of the players, the Test captain has only just been appointed, and there’s a hole in the middle order.
Also, while last week’s win against England was comprehensive and would have done a lot for the confidence, it’s far too early to state that it represents a turning point.
South Africa have won one Test in a year and had lost five of the previous seven before Centurion.
But it was a much-needed win, too, for it presented the country with some new heroes and possibly a direction for the future.
For the Test team that is indeed crucial, while it provided a timely boost for SA cricket as a whole, which has been mired in controversy away from the field these past few months.
The permanent appointment of AB de Villiers as captain on Friday was a vital part of the rebuilding effort.
There needs to be a foundation for any kind of reconstruction and in the case of a cricket side the solidity of the captaincy is paramount.
De Villiers spoke articulately after the Centurion Test about the importance of Rabada and Bavuma’s performances in the Test series, recognising their social significance but also their importance, as young players, in adding in a compelling manner to the side’s improvement.
That De Villiers wants to be part of the rebuilding is encouraging and will contribute significantly to the legacy he will leave behind.
Some elements of that rebuilding process came together in that last Test against England, most tellingly the performance of Stephen Cook at the top of the order.
Coach Russell Domingo’s explanation that Stiaan van Zyl deserved to be backed looked limp when considering that Van Zyl had been relegated down the order in one Test and dropped for another.
Cook was the right player at the wrong time; the right time to have picked him was before the series started, which was a poor error on the part of Domingo and the rest of the selectors.
Van Zyl, according to Domingo, wants to continue to open the batting, but given his struggles in that position, regardless of the surface or type of bowler he’s facing and coupled with Cook’s terrific knock in the fourth Test, it could be a while before he gets another look-in.
With the opening position seemingly resolved, the other problem spot in the batting order is at No5.
At least there are, Domingo acknowledged, several options to consider, but two players he would expect to challenge for it have been woefully out of form in the last year.
Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy have averaged 18.07 and 15.88 in the last 12 months respectively and thought must be given to their continued value in the side.
De Villiers will want as much experience around him as possible but the onus is on those two to produce better results and justify their selection when New Zealand arrive here for two Tests in August.
As Domingo pointed out, the likes of Rilee Rossouw and, yes, Van Zyl (in a middle-order role) will be considered.
There is lots of time between now and when the Test team get back together, and lots of opportunities to play and regain form and confidence. Some may consider a county contract while there are a lot of T20 competitions to keep everyone busy, too.
While the batsmen need game time, the bowlers will have to be carefully monitored. Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, whose absence was keenly felt, are both still rehabilitating, while Rabada and Morné Morkel will be managed carefully over the coming weeks.
But what a mouth-watering prospect that all-seam attack is if and when everyone is fit.
Throw Dane Piedt’s off-spin into the mix and August can’t come quickly enough.
South Africa’s fall, which so many predicted in the wake of the Wanderers defeat, may not be as bad as those predictions would have had many believe.
There are areas that need fixing and the appointment of a batting coach is a vital element thereof.
It is slightly worrying that Domingo said they’ve been hunting for someone for over a year. Apparently the hectic travel schedule and not wanting to deal with criticism are major drawbacks, but the fact that someone is close to agreeing terms is helpful.
For all the bowling resources and the prospect of a four-pronged pace attack, the Proteas do need runs on the board and they have struggled in that regard for too long.
“There is experience coming into the side, mixed with youth, and there are a lot of reasons to be positive,” said De Villiers.