Proteas Test captain, Faf du Plessis, has praised his young Test side for showing improvement in the last two Tests.

The slow nature of the wicket at St. George’s will perhaps lead the two captains to make changes in the starting eleven that played at Newlands.

“We’re considering the possibility of looking at someone like Pato (Dane Paterson)”, said Du Plessis.

We all know reverse swing is a huge factor here at St. George’s but to add on top of that, the strip next to the wicket that will be used has some rough and could possibly contribute in bringing reverse swing into play.

“(With) reverse swing conditions, you need the wind, you need dry hot air blowing to get the ball dry. So, if there is something to scruff up the ball it would speed that process up.”

We can talk about conditions all we want, but the players still need to put in the performances.

Faf emphasised that keeping Ben Stokes quiet will be key for them.

“For us he is the guy we need to try keep quiet because he is that type of player who can take the game away from you when he gets in”.

The captain has been under a lot of pressure from fans and the media after Temba was dropped for lack of runs.

“I’m not getting into a battle with myself and Temba over who plays and who doesn’t,” he commented.

The skipper knows that he too needs to score runs and lead by example.
“My performances also need to up, in terms of scoring runs.”

The match will start at 10:00 am at St. George’s in Port Elizabeth.