5 Keys for South Africa to beat England in the upcoming Test series

With the four-match series kick-starting in Durban on the Boxing Day, the proteas outfit will try and erase all the gloomy sub-continental memories after the 3-0 hammering at the hands of India and find ways to defeat England and win the ICC Test Championship mace for the third time in four years.South Africa who had a forgettable test series outing in India will find solace back in their own turf, where pitches are hard and bouncy and conducive to their pace bowlers.With the English performing well in the preparation games against the Invitation XI and South Africa A, Hasim Amla and co will have their work cut out against their nemesis, who enjoys a decent record in South Africa.

#1 Strong opening combination

Dean Elgar (L) and Stiaan van Zyl (R) will be looking to start well for South Africa

This will be the bedrock for South Africa's success - their batters at the top. Dean Elgar, who averaged under 20 in India, is likely to retain his slot after the grit he showed in India. Stiaan van Zyl, despite enduring a harrowing lean patch in India after capitulating into Ashwin’s web, will probably remain Elgar’s partner.

Temba Bavuma might be kept as a back-up, as his short height and orthodox sub-continental technique could prove to be vulnerable against the English pacers. Another choice many are considering is that of Rille Rossouw, whose Test match skills is yet to be seen.

Rossouw’s quality as a T-20 opener is unquestionable yet there are many concerns over his Test match temperament. South Africa should not, however, risk the possibility of playing him as this series is a matter of restoring pride and not about testing upcoming test players.

Van Zyl and Elgar are the best possible choice and the selectors should stick to them, hoping they click.

#2 Du Plessis and Amla must fire

Amla (L) and du Plessis (R) had a poor showing in the Test series against India

One of the main reasons for South Africa's lacklustre Indian Test tour was the form two of their senior players. Faf du Plessis, whose performances over the last two years have been remarkably consistent was woefully out of sorts. With a highest score of 39 in the series, it is quite obvious South Africa needs him to fire on all cylinders if they have to beat England.

Hashim Amla, himself has looked down and out, depite some heart-wrenching and gutsy performances towards the later part of the Test tour. Du Plessis has been a very dependable number 3 and a vital cog alongside Amla in most of their recent successes in the format.

Amla is a true leader and as far as captaincy goes, he looks to set the tone courtesy of runs from his bat. Having the first game on his home turf will certainly go a long way in helping him get his rhythm back, which the Proteas will need him to.

#3 No more spin woes

Playing at home will give South Africa some relief from the spin they struggled against in India

Playing on South Africa would definitely be a bonus for the Proteas, however, they must ensure their affair with spin challenges are over and they do not falter at it again. Cape Town is known for a track that turns viciously from the fourth day onwards and South Africa must try all they can to negotiate the problem.

Moeen Ali will still be a threat, especially given the prowess of England's fast bowlers, who have shown time and again that they can trouble quality opposition. Barring du Plessis, Amla and De Villiers, the rest of the batters are still not that adept at playing spin, as was evident in Mohali and Nagpur.

The middle order must ensure they have proper game plans in place to counter any pitch mishaps and Duminy, as their leading middle-order batsman, must show the tail enders the way. Although the pitches are unlikely to assist spinners too much, South Africa's experienced batsmen shouldn't give their wickets away cheaply and should see off any threat posed by Ali.

#4 Consistent fast bowling

Kyle Abbott put in a good performance with the ball in the last Test of the India-South Africa series

With Dale Steyn back in the mix, the Proteas fast bowling attack will definitely be strengthened. The fact that they have not picked any left-arm seamer, like Lonwabo Tsotsobe for instance, might come back to bite them as England have so many right-handers in the top seven.

However, persisting with a four-man pace battery at all times might not be the way to go. Especially given the assistance spinners might get later in the game, especially, at Durban. Dane Piedt’s consistency as a spinner should not be discounted. With Cook, Stokes and Moeen Ali in the starting XI, a right-arm offie might prove to be a big advantage.

South Africa will need to decide if they want to go go with a four-man pace attack or with three pacers and a spinner. If it is the former, then Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott will both make the cut, with Duminy and Elgar sharing the spin bowling duties. But if they decide on the latter, they should go for Abbott, whose maturity and accurate fast-bowling will be key.

Abbott had a pretty good game in Kotla and is likely to line up with Morkel and Steyn, till Philander resumes his cricket. Three fast bowlers and an accurate right-arm spinner with Dean Elgar, adding his left-arm spin, provides immense depth and variety to the line up.

#5 Attacking the new enrollments in the English team

Alex Hales is set to partner Cook at the top of the innings for England

The inclusion of Gary Ballance, South-African born Nick Compton, and Alex Hales in the touring party should be dealt with properly by the quality South African pacers.

Just like what happened to Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Ian Bell in the 2014 Ashes in Australia, where they were simply terrorised by the Aussie pace attack, this new trio should be treated similarly to create selection woes in the English team.

England are relying on their experienced pace attack of Anderson, Broad and Finn to do the major damage and that leaves the Proteas with an opening to attack them and pulverise the likes of Cook and Root, who form the crux of their batting.

Even players like Moeen Ali who still has problems playing on bouncy turf, should be given a hard time and not any easy lease of life. Tormenting the English in Durban would be the way to look ahead as that gives them the incentive to carry forward to the remaining games.