Wanted: Test slips for Proteas

Cape Town – They have a few weeks to mull over it, but sooner or later the South African Test team must face the reality of significantly remodelling their slip cordon for the first time in many years.

The dismantling of an illustrious old firm began when Jacques Kallis announced his retirement from the five-day arena over the Festive Season; the process has suddenly become more complete with long-time captain Graeme Smith following suit at the back end of the Australian series a few days ago, won 2-1 by the tourists.

Between them, that physically imposing pair have almost always occupied slots one (Smith) and two (Kallis) in the hugely important cordon for well over a decade.