How long can South Africa stay number one?

Among the top four sides, South Africa appears to have the best combination on and off the field.

They have long postured, threatened, have sighted the goal, briefly ascended it, but for a team that loves to play aggressive cricket they have always given the impression of being vulnerable when the going gets tough.

I have always found the South African cricket side an intriguing team to follow, and at times a frustrating one. They have always had the players to be the best, but for whatever reason, they have been unable to turn that into dominance. So what’s changed now?

This time there is an air of permanency within their structure which could very see South Africa spend a long time as the number one Test team.

Apart from the fact that Australia are in a difficult transition, and teams like India and England struggle to play consistent cricket all around the world, a couple of players have gotten older and are starting to look back.

Maybe have acquired a different perspective.

In 2003, soon after South Africa crashed out of the World Cup yet again, former South African batsmen and now coach Gary Kirsten, rather stunningly at the time, suggested that the only way ahead for the team was to erase the past and go with Graeme Smith, then only 23, as the captain.

Smith was brash, sometimes arrogant, and great captains of the past often pointed out early shortcomings. But he has been excellent for South Africa, and along with Jacques Kallis, has defined this team.

Kallis has been their greatest cricketer post-apartheid, capable of being in a shortlist of their finest ever.

And even now, as the bustle to the crease seems a little more forced, he continues to provide them with the kind of balance every other team can only dream of. He has been very much central to this ascent. Now, he need no longer be the go-to man.

The arrival of Vernon Philander and the delightfully understated Hashim Amla, along with AB de Villiers, means that the burden on Kallis is no longer there.

Amla, like the recently retired Rahul Dravid, has emerged to be one of the most liked, most respectable cricketers in the game.

Amla might be modest enough to rate himself up there with the best in the side, but make no mistake, he is the best. He gives South Africa a sense of calm they haven’t always enjoyed.

Amla may be the go to man with the bat but the bowling is also well serviced.

The rise and rise of Vernon Philander has allowed Dale Steyn to be used more effectively.

But like with all outstanding teams there is the odd cloud on the horizon. What they must do in the short term is prepare for life after Kallis.

South Africa needs the brilliant AB de Villiers to play a greater role with the bat, and he has to play at No. 5 from where he can dominate.

Better suited as number four, de Villiers role behind the stumps has seen him drop one position in the battling line-up.

The move is seemingly paying dividends.

Their reign at No. 1 will depend, as it always has with teams that aspire for greatness, on how the bowlers adapt to different conditions. But at the moment their batting looks stronger than Australia’s or England’s, and their bowling significantly better than the rest of the world.

The No.1 position has been on a short-term lease ever since Australia bowed out. In the current context, South Africa seems best placed to stay there a while.