The South African skipper and current captain Graeme Smith said that he feels Kevin Pietersen would be England's vital player for the upcoming test and one day series. England will host South Africa. In the past Smith has already led the team in the 2003 test and one day series to England. He was just 22 years of age and was triumphant in scoring two centuries in his first two test matches. Smith reported "Pietersen is the key batsman and obviously we will need to control him."

Smith feels that his side would be at an advantage over the England team due greater experience. He added "Hopefully I am a lot more grown up now and we can go a step further."

South Africa has not won any series in England as of 1965, but Smith said the hosts may have a little tough time during the selection process. "I think there are more strategic and selection worries for them. They have to decide whether to play an extra batsman or Andrew Flintoff at number six. I think Michael Vaughan will fancy having five bowlers, which means they will be one batsman short and that could be a key tactical factor."

Smith said the team will try and play its best but the only worry for the team is length of the tour which is starting from June and will be ending only on September 3, 2008.