5 reasons why South Africa are the best touring side in the world

South Africa, currently, are placed at the very top of the ICC test rankings, 7 points ahead of second-placed Australia. They were also No.1 in the ODI rankings until very recently. There is a reason, then, why the Proteas are respected around the world as the most consistent cricketing nation going around.Unlike India, England or even Australia, South Africa have never really had a dip in form for an extended period. Remaining unbeaten away from home over a period of no less than 8 years, during one of the most competitive phases of Test cricket, is quite an achievement.Here are 5 reasons behind their success:

#1 Batsmen capable across all conditions

The South African team, in recent years, have boasted of three batsmen in Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers who can lay claim to being the best in the business. They have been pillars of their batting line-up, and ensured that South Africa remain competitive across the world, because of their supreme efficiency against both pace and spin.

They have been successful in countries like Australia, known for bounce, India and Sri Lanka, where the ball could turn square, and England, where the ball could really talk not just in the air and but also off the pitch.

In recent years, the team has also kept replenishing its batting strength with players like JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis, who provide solid support to the core of the batting unit, thereby ensuring intense competition for places in the batting unit. Since 2009, Amla averages 74, Smith and AB just a touch under 50, Duminy a shade over 50, while Kallis averages 60 when playing away from home, a phenomenal stat which, perhaps, explains why South Africa have done so well in overseas conditions.

#2 All-round bowling attack

South Africa have been well-served in recent times by two world class fast bowlers in Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, ensuring they can compete on all kinds of pitches. Steyn, in particular, has shown time and again that he can produce breathtaking spells even on largely unhelpful pitches in India, Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi.

Over the last 5 years, he has taken 83 wickets away from the spicy, venomous pitches of South Africa at an astounding average of 22.32. Morne Morkel has 68 wickets at nearly 26 apiece, extracting bounce even on the most docile of pitches. Throw in Jacques Kallis and Vernon Philander in the mix and you have an intimidating pace battery that can operate even without assistance from the pitch.

In fact, their pace attack is one of the reasons why they have been one of only 2 teams, the other being England, to be able to win in Australia, a country that has always been a hostile venue for visiting teams.

#3 All-rounders

One of the biggest challenges for teams playing away from home is getting their balance right. South Africa, however, have had the luxury of possessing Jacques Kallis for more than a decade – a cricketer who not only bats in the top 4 but is also capable of bowling at a brisk pace and contributing a couple of wickets to the team’s cause.

Apart from having had the the luxury of effectively playing 12 players, South Africa also have had variety in pace and spin, lending enviable balance to their side in the process. Vernon Philander can bat too, and in AB de Villiers, South Africa have had a great wicket-keeper who has also been amongst the top 5 batsmen in the world on a consistent basis. Spinners like Robin Peterson add depth to the batting and variety to the bowling.

#4 Work ethic

An often-ignored aspect of cricket is the work ethic of the players. Work ethic comprises of many aspects, some noticeable and some that only show up in the results. The South Africans are known to train hard and come hard at the opponents. A team that boasts of world class fielders like AB, Faf and Duminy also has their pace bowlers diving around in the outfield, thereby setting a fantastic example for others to follow.

The success can also be attributed to the fact that South Africans rarely cave in under pressure even in the most adverse conditions when it comes to playing Test cricket, which ensures that they rarely return home empty-handed. Most touring teams end up losing successive Tests and get into a rut, but the Proteas pride themselves on stringing performances strong enough to win more often than lose when on the road.

#5 Strong leadership

For a long time, South Africa were led from the front by their captain Graeme Smith, who picked the reins of the team, following a tumultous phase, at a very young age and went on to captain them for more than 100 Tests, eventually taking the team to No.1 in the ICC Test rankings.

With leaders of the ilk of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla following Smith’s departure, South Africa continue having a strong backbone, a quality that ensures that their players remain in good spirits and fight hard. A fiery and fearsome bowler like Dale Steyn, who can give his skipper a wicket at any point of the game, ensures that the team are aggressive in their outlook at all times and mean business – intimidating hosts around the world.