With the England Test series kicking off this week, and all the big announcements we had, we caught up with Stiaan Van Zyl and got his insights ahead of the series. 

Van Zyl was part of the Proteas squad who faced England in the last Test series at home, which England won 2-1.

Van Zyl took 3/20 from 10.1 overs in the 1st Test. He played his last Test in August 2016 against New Zealand. 

Although he signed a Kolpak deal to play County cricket, he admitted that Test cricket is still the best format.

“Playing Test cricket is the ultimate for me, you get tested day in and day out,” said Van Zyl.

“Playing against a team like England with all their superstars is something great that I enjoyed to the fullest.”

South Africa face a tough task having not won a Test Series at home against England since 2000.

Van Zyl, based on his experience, believes that England will have the advantage heading into this Test series.

“I think they definitely have the upper hand, with winning the last series in SA and having such a great team currently, they are definitely coming to SA with a positive mindset,” added Van Zyl.

“At the moment SA is very restricted on who to pick and who’s available. With loads of players leaving the country, it makes it very hard to pick a strong squad.”

He does however back the changes in management and the coaching structures.

“I think its a great thing and to be honest, I think it should of happened a long time ago, I really do hope that the guys in charge are allowed to do what they want and that they are not going to be told what to do.”