As with most southern hemisphere countries it is the captain who calls the shots. Mark Taylor, Hansie Cronje and Arjuna Ranatunga come readily to mind, so the definition of the role of captain and coach become crucial to the smooth running of the team.
Cronje has been groomed from a young age to be a leader of a re-emerging South Africa and it was important for Ali Bacher to have a man who understood the role, could respond to the challenges of a new South Africa and be all that the United Cricket Board would require.
Most of all, as with all good captains, he had to be a player person. He initially cut his teeth with Kepler Wessels's uncompromising style but on the field took it to another level with natural flair and a feeling for saying the right thing without reducing South Africa's known competitiveness.
When Woolmer came he brought a new dimension of thoroughness to the planning process hitherto untouched. Computers, diet, fielding drills, tour itinerary and injury prevention to name a few became part and parcel of the team's plan. Cronje is in charge on the field and makes decisions with authority and thought, but the coach has his role by constantly analysing both his own team and opponents to exploit and improve techniques.
Another of Woolmer's strengths is his innovation with technique in all departments of the game, and here his role cannot be under- estimated. It is a mix that has worked well for South Africa and while the two are together South Africa will always be a side to fear as no stone will be left unturned on or off the field in the quest for success.
Winning Test matches is about taking 20 wickets and this is where South Africa do have the edge. South African bowling versus England batting will be a highlight and much will depend not only on the known bowlers, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, but the support crew of Lance Klusener and Pat Symcox. Pollock has not been at his best as yet but Test matches are his platform. Donald is world class if not the world's best, admired for his stamina as much as his skill. England's batting will get no respite as Donald can bowl longish spells, as he did in the opening game in Worcester, without a hint of tiredness.
Klusener has been an enigma, a match-winner one day, potential weak link the next. The Texaco one-day internationals were not kind to him and he bowled too short for his aggressive ``skidding'' style which led on occasions to the captain having to invoke Plan B. He will need to tighten up for he and Symcox have to maintain pressure if early inroads are made by Donald and Pollock.
The South African top-order batting over the last two or three years has been a little suspect and on occasions the same score would result by turning the order upside down.
There is a difficult decision in the top order: whether to pick Brian McMillan or Jonty Rhodes at No 6. Rhodes is an inspiration in the field and his exploits are well known and respected. However, he has always been labelled, unfairly, as a one-day player. His batting is showing a new maturity, a willingness to knuckle down, play a lot straighter and to fashion out scores in the five-day game.
McMillan, for years South Africa's No 1 all-rounder, is also invaluable. His no- nonsense bowling generates surprising pace and bounce. He has been very reliable with the ball and never gives up easy runs. His batting, though one-paced, has always added a hard edge to ensure South Africa are not easily dismissed. His thoroughly competitive nature is what is required to succeed at Test level.
One would assume in a Rhodes v McMillan duel that it would be no contest on the fielding side, but catches win matches and if McMillan doesn't play the number of specialist slip fielders looks a little thin.
The captaincy could provide the catalyst for a great series. Cronje, secure in his position and a natural leader, has led by example. Stewart, on the other hand, is new and one hopes he will feel secure enough to experiment, be innovative and captain in a style that his batting suggests.
It will be a tight series and it may be South Africa's established mental strength will enable them to seize the moments that matter.
Barry Richards, the former Hampshire and South Africa opener, is part of the BBC commentary team and will be writing during the series for The Telegraph.