Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson were the platform for South Africa's batting on their re-emergence, mature in years, if not experience, they did provide a solid base for South Africa to succeed after so long in the wilderness.
Hudson is gone, not without a fight (he scored a double century in the Currie Cup recently) but is unlikely to be recalled and judging by the scores in South Africa, there are no heir apparents to make the position their own.
Adam Bacher is a dedicated hard-working player who is desperate to make it but as yet has not found the formula to take his game to the next level.
Too often in the search for that magic formula players are prone to change a game that has got them thus far and, with that, go backwards rather than forwards.
Bacher is a fine striker of the ball, one feared by opponents in one-day cricket, but has a couple of weaknesses. He plays with a raised bat and goes hard and fast at the ball with his hands. Consequently, any edges will have a good carry and such was the case yesterday.
He appears to be more balanced than on South Africa's recent tour of Australia and is not ``falling'' across the crease, which led to many lbws. The selectors and team management need to work with Bacher to ensure he knows what is required as he showed enough potential to provide encouragement in the search for a regular opening pair.
Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher showed how important a good opening partnership at Edgbaston was and over the years no really good team has been consistent without a settled, confident opening pair.
South Africa have Kirsten, albeit not in prime form, but they need to plan ahead for the remaining Tests to ensure that this is addressed.
No team can be effective without the main batsmen having confidence in the opening pair but South Africa have yet to establish theirs. They seem unsure of the best combination - Jacques Kallis to open, then is it Daryll Cullinan or Brian McMillan at No 3? That insecurity gives England impetus and confidence.
The South African batting order is feeling the pressure and that is the Achilles heel that England have exploited so far.