Proteas, also known as sugarbush (suikerbos) represent change and hope. Perhaps those are the messages which are now relevant to the South African cricket team.

I have the feeling that the next step in an attempt to restore the team’s results and reputation will be to replace Faf du Plessis as Captain. This move must surely be right in no way reflecting on Faf’s talent but rather an expression of his bad luck which rebounds on his side’s performance.

Luck and temperament are unpredictable elements of the psychology which impinges on all sports. They are vital ingredients of success without which a team is likely to be doomed as are the Proteas all too frequently.

So, step aside, Faf! Bringing back AB could be the coup but that probably won’t happen. I suggest Vernon Philander as Captain.