As we saw in the first part of the article that South Africa developed into a formidable outfit since coming back from isolation and were a tough side to beat. So let us now look at their cricket since 2000 and have a look into the future as well.
As I said in part 1 with the advent of new millennium came the shocking news that their captain Cronje was involved in match fixing and he had tried to fix matches in India. It was a shocking news as Cronje was known to be very passionate about South African cricket and it was hard to digest the news for all those who liked cricket. It surely must have been hard for his teammates but even more shocking was that some of his teammates like Boje, Gibbs, Willams were also said to be involved in it. As expected Cronje got banned for life and players like Gibbs, Willams were banned for about one year. So during those turbulent times in South African cricket Pollock took over the role of captaincy and one has to say that he did a admirable job and South Africa still had a good side what with Kallis becoming a prolific batsman as well being a handy bowler, experienced hands like Gary Kirsten, Boucher, Rhodes, Cullinan were still around as was the fearsome quick Donald though with age he had slowed down a bit, they also had the Ntini who in the years to come lead the bowling attack with Pollock and of course Gibbs came back strongly as a batsman after serving his ban. So South Africa were still a formidable force as they continued to be successful at home and away with important series victories in India, West Indies etc though the series win in India came just before Cronje got banned and at home they continued to be very successful but the one team who stood in their way was again Australia as they continued to crush South Africa. The other big disappointment was the early exit in 03 WC that too at home as a result of not understanding the rain rule properly. Oh man what it is with rain rules and South Afirca. Anyhow with that loss out went seniors like Donald, Rhodes both of whom retired and Pollock resigned from captaincy, so it was the time for the young Smith to take over and one has to say that he has done a admirable job. He started of superbly in England as a batsman with double hundreds in the first two tests and with Pollock as well as Nitini bowling very well it looked like SA were going to win the series but England came back strongly to draw the series. It was the last series for veteran batsman G.Kirstan who was a great servant of South African cricket. After that series South Africa still were a tough side to beat but their performance did nose dive a bit because of players being not too happy with quota system as younger players like KP, Kieswetter, Malan left South Africa though it is a different matter altogether that KP who is now the captain of England was not that good when he left South Africa as he was more of an off break bowler than the batsman he became but it was a major problem as even senior players like Jaarsveld, Kemp left for England as did Rudolph and played for English counties as kolpaks, yes they were not outstanding players but they did a decent job for South Africa, one can also take into consideration the case of Ryan Mcleran who at present is playing for Kent as a Kolpak but he was not released to play for South Africa by Kent. It is a matter of concern for South Africa as younger players are looking for greener pastures outside SA.
as far as South Africa's performance was concerned under Smith they did make a good comeback after a lull period in 04 and 05 when they lost to England at home which was a cause for concern as no other team other then Aussies have beaten South Africa since their re entry into international cricket and as expected Aussies again crushed them however SA reached the semi finals of 07 WC , wins in Pakistan, being very strong at home as well as drawing a series in India and winning a important series in England has maeant that South Africa again look lie they are on the up and ready to challenge Aussies. It was also the time for Pollock one of the great all rounders of the game to retire and with Ntini not looking like the force he was it was up to to the younger players to take up the responsibility and one has to say that Steyn as well as M.Morkel have done a fine job, especially Steyn with his incredible performances in Pakistan, and India showed that he was here to stay, yes players like Kallis, Gibbs who actually has been dropped from the test team are on the wane but South Africa have their captain Smith who is in the form of his life and leading the side well as well as younger batsmen like Devillers, Amla.
So it will be interesting to see can South Africa at last challenge Aussie in Australia, especially with Aussies now in a transitional phase what with legends lke McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist gone as have good players like Martyn, Langer, Dizzy. If South Africa have to win then they need their two strike bowlers Steyn and Morkel too fire with Nitini playing the supporting role and batting line up lead by Smith, supported by Prince, Amla, Dumminy, Devillers, Mckenzie have to fire, of course Kallis will be there and he will be looking to show that he still can do well.
Finally South Africa still have few problems as some of their younger players are looking to leave South Africa as they look for better opportunities elsewhere and it is a fact that football is still the number one sport among blacks but with Smith as the captain and few promising players around like I have mentioned about Devilleres, Dumminy,Amla, Steyn, Morkel brothers, Zondieki and few more like Parnell, Abdullah etc it does look fine. South Africa's true test will be against the Aussies.
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