Proteas and Australia prepare to resume fierce cricketing rivalry

South Africa and Australia resume their fierce cricketing rivalry in the four-match Sunfoil Test series starting at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday. The bumper series is the final showdown of a long summer of cricket for the Standard Bank Proteas, and is perhaps the biggest test for the No.2 ranked Test outfit. A series win for the Proteas will ensure they finish second on the ICC Test rankings at the April 3 cut-off date, but more importantly, it would be the first time a South African team has beaten Australia in a series at home. Standard Bank Proteas opening batsman, Dean Elgar, expects an ‘intense’ series between two proud cricketing powerhouses. Both teams come into the series with their own form and confidence. Australia have never lost a series in South Africa and are on the back of a 4-0 Ashes series win against England, while the Proteas have beaten Australia in Australia for three consecutive series and are fresh from a 2-1 win against the No.1 ranked India.