Hansie Cronje was so desperate to beat Australia that it hurt, Robert Craddock writes in the Courier-Mail. Craddock warns the current squad that “sometimes you can want something too much”.
That, quite simply, is the story of South Africa versus Australia during the past 14 years. Cronje against Australia was Greg Norman at the Masters, Adam Scott at a major, Ivan Lendl at Wimbledon, the New Zealand rugby union side at any recent World Cup.
And this is the challenge South Africa's coaching staff have in front of them this tour - rousing their side to peak performance but somehow steadying them so they don't snatch at victory and stumble like so many South Africa teams before them.
Peter Siddle has been recalled to the Test squad and the Age’s Chloe Saltau speaks to him about his rise.
Damien Fleming writes in a column in the same paper that genuine pace with late swing is kryptonite for Australia’s batsmen.
In the Australian Malcolm Conn looks at Graeme Smith, a captain who has relaxed since being full of bravado three years ago.
Barend Prins in iafrica.com dissects the captains on either side. He believes Ricky Ponting's Australian side is one of the all-time great sides, but not because of 'Punter's prowess as a captain — rather due to the brilliance of the individuals in the team. For Graeme Smith, victory in Australia will go a long way in enhancing the reputation of a South African skipper that already possesses an impressive résumé.
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