England have certainly come a long way since Duncan Fletcher took over the coaching reins in 1999 on the eve of a Test series against South Africa. Back then, England were blushing from the dreadful embarrassment of being dubbed the worst Test team in the world. Five years later, England are basking in the glory of extending their phenomenal run of eight consecutive Test victories.

South Africa could not have asked for a gloomier Christmas. While it was always a race against time to get ready for a gruelling series against a team on an all-time high, there was not enough experience to bank on. A seven-wicket defeat at St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth, a ground where the home team has done well traditionally, only underscored their plight. England will target the Boxing Day Test at Durban to gain a decisive two-nil lead over the hosts. If the South Africans are not vigilant, England will run away with the series with South Africa having barely a minute to hold their breath or exhale.

While England are highly unlikely to change their winning combination, Duncan Fletcher is impatient to capitalise on the confidence that presently pervades the English dressing-room. Michael Vaughan is clearly thinking on similar lines and is well aware of the dangers of complacency. Matthew Hoggard has remarked that he did not see the hosts keep their word of coming hard at the visitors. But then undermining the opponents could be a dangerous game and that is exactly why the England think-tank is so keen to keep their strategy clean and always on high alert.

After all, England did not exactly have a runaway success as their victory in the first Test was construed to be. South Africa had brief moments where they appeared to hold their own even in the midst of the chaos. Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques Rudolph's first-innings partnership did not exactly to take the game away from England but it certainly gave South Africa a chance to fight. Makhaya Ntini's four-wicket spell almost spelt doom for England until the tail wagged to give the tourists a substantial lead. Even then, Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis were restoring the balance and letting a few doubts creep into the England minds. That was until a brilliant effort by Simon Jones to send the South African skipper back with a splendid catch, followed by four wickets as South Africa lost their bleak momentum, losing six wickets for a paltry twenty-eight runs.

Zander de Bruyn, despite a decent respectably run in at the Test arena, finds himself out of the fourteen-man squad. It is a hard decision to digest for the relative newcomer. But South Africa need to fortify the team, which basically meant playing to their strengths. Experience is England's biggest strength at the moment and South Africa must walk the path as well. As much as Ray Jennings expected Herschelle Gibbs to fight his way back after Andrew Hall scored a stupendous century in the opening role at India, it is hard to keep a man of his prowess on the sidelines when the side seems to be lacking in experience. Another piece of good news is the return of Nicky Boje after a successful thyroid surgery. Durban may not be the ideal setting for a frontline spinner, but the hosts will have the psychological comfort of being well-represented in the spin department. Jacques Kallis has been declared fit to bowl, having recovered from an ankle injury. His swing bowling will certainly be a factor at Kingsmead, a pitch reputed for swing and seam. Durban is also likely to see a Test debutant in Charl Langeveldt. His ability to swing the ball and his match-winning performance for South Africa A against the visitors prior to the first Test will most probably 'swing' the scales in his favour.

In going for experience, South Africa are certainly moving in the right direction to thwart England's bid to disintegrate the them in their own backyard. That is a task as arduous as South Africa have faced since their return to the international arena.

The danger for South Africa is that it could all be over in the blink of an eye. Choosing the optimally balanced team ia a job that is only half done. They certainly need to show a lot more determination and courage. On the other hand, England face a battle with themselves to sustain their winning run. Either way, it looks like there is a formidable battle in store.