Captain Faf du Plessis welcomed the end of a lengthy losing streak, as the Proteas beat England by 107 runs on day four of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.
South Africa had lost five Tests in a row – three to India and two to Sri Lanka – prior to Sunday's win. They will meet England for the second Test on Friday at Newlands – a ground the hosts haven't lost a Test at since 2006. Dafabet have South Africa backed at 1.76 to win the second Test against England, who are backed at 2.02 for victory.
“We needed that. The last couple of months have been tough. We worked really hard building up and I thought it was a really good Test. The effort was incredible. We haven't won a Test in a while and for us this is the start of a new chapter. We want to go up to better things and this is just the start. W must make sure we keep working hard and doing the right things,” said du Plessis.
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Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje shared 12 of the 20 England wickets that fell in Centurion. Rabada, tipped at 3.00. is an excellent choice for top wicket-taker at Newlands as well. Even if Vernon Philander (backed at 3.75) has taken 51 wickets in 10 Tests at this stadium, Rabada has taken 30 in five Tests here.
“The bowling in the whole Test match was very good. Probably day one and two was most in it for the bowlers. Both teams bowled well. I thought Anrich was really good. We expect that from Kagiso, but Anrich in his first Test at home, we know he's got a lot of pace but I thought he bowled with great control,” added du Plessis.
“These are good signs for the Test team going forward. We need new bowlers. With Vernon off to greener pastures, now we're going to need one or two more.”
Philander will retire from international cricket after this series. The Proteas will be without Aiden Markram at Newlands. He has been ruled out by injury. He will probably be replaced by Pieter Malan, who is at 5.50 to be the top-run scorer for the Proteas in the first innings.
