Graeme Smith (captain)

South Africa's youngest captain when he took the reins at the age of 22 in 2003, Smith has matured into a highly respected skipper who leads by example. Among the world's most destructive batsmen in all forms of the game and a key figure in a powerful South Africa top order. Prolific off his legs and particularly disdainful of anything short.

Johan Botha

A former medium-pacer who turned to off-spin at the suggestion of current South Africa coach Micky Arthur, Botha is among a rare breed of players capable of bowling a doosra. Banned by the International Cricket Council for an illegal action following his Test debut in 2006, but made his return to international cricket earlier this year.

Mark Boucher

Boucher will need little introduction to England or English crowds, having been a fixture in the South Africa side for more than a decade. His keeping may have dwindled with the passing years - he is 31 - but he remains a vital cog in the Proteas middle-order, and possesses the ability to score quickly no matter what the situation.

AB de Villiers

Enhanced his reputation as a batsman of genuine class during the Test series against England, although his measured approach belied his naturally aggressive instincts. Goes into the NatWest Series boasting a one-day average touching 50 and a strike-rate just shy of a run a ball. One of the finest ground fielders in the world.

Jean-Paul Duminy

A stylish left-handed batsman who made 64 in the opening game of the tour of England, Duminy failed to force his way into the selectors’ thoughts for the Test series. Spent two years out of the side after playing a handful of ODIs in 2004, but is regarded by many in South Africa as one of the key players for the future. Bowls occasional off-spin.

Herschelle Gibbs

Named in the one-day squad despite being overlooked for Test duty in England. While the crowds can expect to be royally entertained by one of the most devastating hitters in this or any other era, England’s bowlers may take a different view. Gibbs is best known for hitting six sixes in an over off Holland’s Daan van Bunge at last year’s World Cup, not to mention a brutal 175 off 111 balls in South Africa’s record pursuit of 434 against Australia the previous year.

Jacques Kallis

A supreme technician around whom South Africa’s batting has been built for longer than opposing sides care to remember. The subject of some criticism for his orthodox approach in the rapidly-changing one-day arena, Kallis’ outstanding record - more than 9,500 runs at an average closer to 50 than 40 in 274 contests - is a truer reflection of his stature. More than capable of filling a frontline seamer’s role.

Albie Morkel

The older brother of pace bowler Morne, Albie shot to prominence in the ICC World Twenty20 in India last year courtesy of his savage middle-order hitting. A left-hander of immense power, he was a key component in Durham’s Twenty20 Cup side during a brief spell at the Riverside this summer, and offers his captain useful seam-bowling options.

Morne Morkel

A 6ft 6in pace bowler capable of extracting considerable bounce in excess of 90mph, Morkel has yet to translate his undoubted potential into consistency on the greatest stage, although he showed glimpses of his potency with the red ball during the recent Test series against England. A stint at Yorkshire this summer was curtailed by injury.

Makhaya Ntini

Ntini’s status as one of the finest fast bowlers in South Africa’s history cannot be questioned, despite his struggling to produce his best in the Test series triumph over England. His commitment is absolute and he improved as the series went on. As South Africa’s most experienced frontline bowler, Ntini boasts a wealth of knowledge to pass on to the next generation.

Justin Ontong

Has enjoyed an eventful career. Made his name when he was included in the Test side at the expense of Jacques Rudolph in 2002 - a decision based on meeting racial quotas - and spent two lengthy spells out of the one-day side before being recalled this year. Bowls a mixture of off-spin, leg-spin and googlies, and has batted as high as three and as low as nine in the South Africa team.

Vernon Philander
A promising all-rounder who bowls brisk medium-pace and is more than useful with the bat lower down the order. Among the least experienced of the South Africa players, Philander nevertheless boasts experience of English conditions after an Under-19 tour in 2003, a short stint with Devon in 2004 and a spell at Middlesex this season.

Dale Steyn

Missed the final two Tests of the series against England with a fractured thumb, but remains a key member of a formidable South Africa pace attack in both forms of the game. Possesses the ability to swing the ball at extreme pace, and was the quickest South African to take 100 Test wickets. His one-day experience may be limited, but he is a genuine match-winner.