Centurion: Having won eight out of nine series from 2016 to the start of 2019, South Africa has lost three of its last four to indicate the team's regression. England is similarly off-form having lost in New Zealand last month.
South Africa's 3-0 humiliation in India in its most recent series in October, when the Proteas lost two of the tests by an innings and the other by 203 runs, confirmed off-field problems with the national board were now affecting on-field performances.
South Africa practice ahead of Centurion Test Enock Nkwe, surprisingly made interim coach by the board for the India tour after one season coaching at domestic level in South Africa, has quickly been replaced for the England series by Mark Boucher after a public outcry over the India series.
Boucher, the former wicketkeeper-batsman who played 147 tests for South Africa, was rushed in less than two weeks before the start of the series against England.
He was put into the role by new acting director of cricket and former teammate Graeme Smith, who himself was appointed just three days earlier. Jacques Kallis, one of South Africa's greats, has been brought in as a batting consultant - again by Smith - and there's also a new bowling coach.
