Time to be brutally honest

Let’s talk about South Africa, South Africa. Let’s talk about what has gone wrong in 2015.

Home advantage is a blessing

Every armchair critic is a national selector and no South African squad will ever be met with universal approval.

Proteas batsmen lost the mind game

Many people defended the decision to experiment with Vernon Philander opening the batting as South Africa chased 218 to win the first Test.

Treat a national treasure with care

There is an understandable clamour to throw the ball to Kagiso Rabada at every opportunity. The Proteas tiro hasn’t let anyone down and he’s the most promising 20-year-old cricketer on the planet.

Real team effort has caught the eye

South Africa have been impressive all round in winning the T20I series against India. It’s been a powerful statement.

Why have Proteas gone backwards?

Exactly five months ago South Africa lost their World Cup semi-final to New Zealand. They haven’t progressed since.

Why Steyn is one of a kind

On his Twitter bio, Dale Steyn simply calls himself ‘Terrible guitar player’. Three better words to describe him are: ‘Fast bowling legend’.

Proteas batsmen got too defensive

What on earth did Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis have for lunch in Chittagong? Sleeping tablets?

Mature Faf sets the right tone

In his first 19 T20I career innings Faf du Plessis hit four fifties. In his last four innings he’s hit three – including a century – and his last two have yielded 198 runs.

Is Phangiso really a Test spinner?

The last time Aaron Phangiso played in a first-class match was last October against the Knights in Potchefstroom.

There’s AB – then there’s the rest

After yet another display of dreamy hitting by AB de Villiers, the cricketing world seemed to have run out of superlatives.

Cook shows why Test cricket is king

From 30-4 on the first morning to being in control at the start of the fifth, England have shown why Test cricket is king.

Players deserve better than this

South Africans don’t exit a World Cup party early without stopping for a rumble in the carpark, arguing who was to blame.

Big boots to fill as Donald steps down

Proteas bowling coach Allan Donald has vacated the building. And at the door he’s left big size 13s to fill.

The day the bowlers went missing

New Zealand had never scored more than 298 runs in 50 overs against South Africa in 61 ODIs.