Could it be that 2025 proves to be one of the defining years in recent times for a South African cricket side that looks to be building towards something truly special?
The day of Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla et al are well and truly in the past. For some time, it seemed as though the Proteas were not creating the same sort of talent to rival that of a golden generation that had it all with bat and ball.
However, the current crop of South African players could do something special this year and win Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship this year.
South Africa as a cricketing nation have always seemed to freeze up in the big moments. At the T20 World Cup they have been runners-up once and semi-finalists twice. In their other six attempts they have failed to really threaten to win the trophy.
While the World Cup can be a merciless place, each of India, Pakistan, England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Australia have won the competition.
New Zealand do not feature on this list, but they have become known as a side that also let the big occasion pass them by. South Africa and the Black Caps are the only two elite nations yet to win the T20 World Cup.
At the 50 over World Cup, it has been a similar story. Five appearances in the semi-finals have failed to produce a single shot at the trophy, with nine appearances not enough to yield silverware.
With so much failure across their history in the biggest moments, why could 2025 be different?
First, the ICC Champions Trophy. The competition will run from February 19 to March 9, with the eight best sides in the world all battling for the trophy.
South Africa have been drawn into a group with Afghanistan, who they play on February 21, Australia, who they face on February 25, and England, who they battle in their final group game on March 1.
Topping the group would see them face the runner-up in Group A, with Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan all vying for position. Finishing second in Group B would see South Africa take on the winner of Group A.
South Africa have tasted victory in the Champions Trophy before, triumphing in 1998. However, since then, their best run has been to the last-four on four separate occasions. Their inability to go the distance is a worry, but they will point to this being a completely new squad for the Champions Trophy after the tournament returns following an eight-year absence.
Their last foray into a competition in the ODI format saw the Proteas finish the 2023 World Cup second in the group, ahead of Australia and New Zealand in third and fourth. They did come up short against Australia in the semi-final, but seven wins in nine group games was a hugely impressive record.
Striking a balance between choosing a side that can score runs quickly and having players that can steady the ship is vital. Some sides try to force too many destructive players into their lineup, and they are found out when the wicket is slow or playing into the hands of the bowlers.
On the other side, some teams choose too many batsmen that are in Test cricket mode, seeing them score slowly. While many players want to be all-format cricketers, it can often be more beneficial to choose format-specific players in certain positions.
It remains to be seen whether South Africa can nail their selection for the Champions Trophy for which they are third favourites according to tipsters, behind India and Ausrtalia.
Next, to the World Test Championship. The biggest event in the Test match calendar, South Africa will take on Australia in the final at Lord’s in June.
Australia have not looked invincible in this World Test Championship run, quite the opposite in fact. Their bowling lineup, led by captain Pat Cummins, is still very strong, but their batting is one that is not without its cracks.
Indeed, they do not have a set opening partnership as the Aussies search for the player to partner Usman Khawaja. Nathan McSweeney’s time at the top of the order was short lived, while Sam Konstas did score runs, but he hardly looked completely secure opening the batting against international quality bowlers.
Meanwhile, there has been a lot of movement in the top and middle-order.
Steve Smith looked in good touch at points, while Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with a few scores, but failed to notch a century across nine innings. However, they have been caught out in recent years in the middle. Travis Head was in sparkling form at the start of the series against India, but eventually fell off.
Mitchell Marsh also saw the axe come down swiftly as he was dropped ahead of the fifth Test. Cleary, the Aussies are yet to find their ideal batting lineup.
On the flip side of things, South Africa’s batting lineup has looked strong. Question marks do still hang over the top of the order, but Aiden Markram has looked solid at the top. He was also ably assisted by Ryan Rickelton at the top of the order in the second Test against Pakistan as he bludgeoned his was to 259 runs.
Temba Bavuma has looked a solid choice in the batting lineup wherever he is deployed, with the captain able to soak up the pressure or take the attack to the opposition. There is a good blend of talent that wants to bat long and those that want to score runs quickly.
With the ball, the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj are big threats on their day, and they will fancy their chances against an Aussie batting lineup that is hardly rock-solid.
Before preparations for their Champions Trophy and World Test Championship Final truly begin, the signs do look good. Players are scoring runs, the bowlers are taking wickets in a range of conditions and the Proteas are tussling with the best.
Key players that have experience will be invaluable this year. If Rabada is taking wickets and the likes of Bavuma and Markram are scoring runs, then the rest of the team can follow their example. This is similar when it comes to experienced players Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller in the Champions Trophy.
The real issue for the side is replicating the way they are playing right now into a major tournament or match. Their record suggests that winning silverware in either competition is unlikely. Australia are the reigning champions in the World Test Championship, and they are very tough to beat at a major event. The Aussies have made a habit out of winning, which is something South Africa have never been able to do.
This year may yet become one of the greatest years in the history of South African cricket. Winning either piece of silverware would constitute a massive step forward for a side that has not been good enough at the biggest events.
However, failure to win either of the trophies would constitute a big failure for a side that looks like they are peaking at the perfect time.
and then