South Africa believe new captain Johan Botha can provide a different sort of inspiration now that Graeme Smith has left Australia.

Botha will lead the Proteas through the limited-overs stage of their tour, which starts with Sunday night’s Twenty20 clash against Australia at the MCG.

Botha said on Saturday it would be difficult emulating Smith, who led the Proteas to an historic Test series win and then defied injuries to bat to attempt to save the third Test at the SCG.

Botha has also endured his share of difficulties in Australia, as it was on South Africa’s last visit the offspinner was reported for having a suspect bowling action, in his Test debut at the SCG three years ago.

He was banned from bowling, but later that year had his action cleared.

Botha said he was pleased with the way he had responded since that hardship.

“Maybe that had to happen and it was good for me,” he said.

“In the end it grew strength in me and I’ve been happy with my bowling the last year or so.”

Proteas coach Mickey Arthur said Botha’s handling of the career setback had proven him a determined, resilient character who had to be admired.

“Any guy who comes back from something like that has to be really mentally strong and that was really the first time I saw the amount of strength this player had and I’m really glad that he’s stepped through,” Arthur said.

“He’s come through all those tribulations and he’s come back a much stronger player, and he’s come back a leader of men, which is fantastic to see.”

Botha led his country in only three one-dayers before this series, and said he would call on the wise heads of Neil McKenzie, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher through the series.

Arthur said the Proteas had “closed the book” on their Test tour and would use the two Twenty20 matches and five one-dayers as the launch pad for their rebuilding for the 2011 World Cup.

“We’re probably nowhere near the finished article yet in one-day cricket,” he said.

“Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years time when the World Cup comes about.

“Two years ago we started with our Test team to get that ready for this tour.

“We’re two years behind in terms of our one-day side, so I see this as a very exciting phase for us.”

But the Proteas are unlikely to play at full-strength too often during the series, as they plan to rotate fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel to keep them fresh for the return Test series against Australia, which starts next month.

Morkel will sit out Sunday night’s clash.

Arthur said the gap between the two countries was larger in one-day cricket than in Tests, and expected Australia to be desperate to avenge the Test series defeat.

“This is their chance to salvage something from their summer … we’re expecting a huge backlash from them,” he said.

South Africa: Johan Botha (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

© AAP 2012

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