Dileep Premachandran identifies the six South Africans who will pose India the biggest problems Herschelle Gibbs
An Ashes afternoon at Edgbaston. In the space of six balls – and 18 runs – Darren Gough went from roaring lion to purring kitty. It's not too hard to visualise Javagal Srinath's shoulders slumping similarly should Gibbs go the Slater way at Bloemfontein. Since his return from exile Gibbs has been scoring runs for fun, and his buccaneering approach can inflict more damage in two hours than most batsmen could in a day. He looked vulnerable against Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble during the one-day series, but can rely on superb hand-eye co-ordination and tremendous bat speed to improvise his way out of trouble. India's new-ball bowlers will need to be especially wary, else we might be treated to the unedifying sight of a strapping quick bowler sobbing into his handkerchief.

Shaun Pollock
Scion of South Africa's most famous cricket family, Pollock has done a splendid job since taking over as captain from Hansie Cronje. A few months ago, South Africa became only the second team in 25 years to win a Test series in the Caribbean. Pollock's contribution – captaincy apart – was immense, both with bat and ball. With no Allan Donald to strike fear into Indian hearts, he leads an inexperienced bowling attack into the first Test at Bloemfontein. The Indian batsmen have shown encouraging form on the tour and South Africa will rely heavily on Pollock's excellence with the new ball for the early breakthroughs. He is also one of the better players of spin in a team not exactly renowned for their proficiency against the turning ball.

Jacques Kallis
Along with Chris Cairns and Pollock, Kallis is the leading contender for the tag of the world's best allrounder. As a batsman he has matured beyond recognition in the past couple of years, and his obdurate displays played a major part in South Africa's series victory in India 18 months ago. Though capable of almost every stroke in the book, Kallis has earned a reputation as an attrition artist, content to bat the entire day in second gear. He is utterly at ease against the quick bowlers but hesitant against the spinners. His duel with Harbhajan and Kumble could have a crucial bearing on the series. Kallis is the grenadier guard and if the Indians can hoodwink him, it gives them every chance of an upset victory. His bowling has suffered of late, though his ability to pound the ball in at pace and swing it both ways makes him a dangerous customer on tracks that provide assistance. He is a brilliant slip fielder too, though most of us would be if we had such bucket-sized palms.

Gary Kirsten
He symbolises the work ethic that has made this South African team such a force. A fluent strokemaker square of the wicket, Kirsten can also batten down the hatches and bat all day if required. He compiles his runs in unobtrusive fashion, and leaves the fireworks to Lance Klusener, Pollock and Mark Boucher. India need to curb his off-side scoring, by angling the ball into him and denying him the room to free his arms. Kirsten, like Kallis, is the type of batsman that matchwinning innings are built around and India need to capitalise on his hesitant starts.

Nantie Hayward
Hayward nearly went off the rails last season. Kepler Wessels worked with him to restore his morale and form and the result is a return to the elite fold. The pressure will be on, especially because he's replacing living legend Allan Donald on his own patch of turf. Hayward bowled with great fire and hostility in India last year though he does have a tendency to spray it around and get carried away by the speed gun. A less accurate version of Jason Gillespie, whom the Indians faced with mixed results a few months ago, he will have to be watched closely. Connor Williams, Virender Sehwag and the captain Sourav Ganguly can expect to be peppered with the short stuff. The half-volleys, and even the good-length deliveries will be hard to come by once Hayward hits the straps.

And one wildcard

Boeta Dippenaar
Pollock's latest batting prodigy, Dippenaar is one of only six South African batsmen to score 1000 runs in a domestic season. A technically accomplished and organised player, he also appears to have the composure to mix it with the big boys. With Daryll Cullinan sidelined by injury, this is Dippenaar's chance to win a permanent place. Several of the South Africans look jittery against spin and Dippenaar – who plays with the straightest of bats – could be the one to acquit himself with credit.

Dileep Premanchandran is assistant editor of Wisden.com India.

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