Mark Boucher was in my opinion born to play Test cricket. When he wasselected for South Africa as replacement for the injured David Richardson in India, he was the subject of much controversy. The favourite was Nic Pothas, now of Hampshire, no mean performer. However Mark had that special, sometimes indefinable something that separates the star from others.

Following the Cronje debacle, Boucher became vice-captain and he and Shaun Pollock took on the responsibility of leading South Africa into a new era. The reason Mark was chosen, pure and simple, is that he is a leader not a follower. Even at school he was recognised as special - a provincial squash player and hockey player, a scrum half, a tough single-minded individual. Playing alongside him, you know he will support you come what may.

He is uncompromising in all the sports that he plays, especially in the tackle. He will lead South Africa for the first time today and I suggest it will not be the last. He will lead from the front. He will expect and demand top performances from his players and they will respond. He is a popular team member, naughty in his early days, but more mature now that he has played 50 Tests.

He will have one great advantage: he will immediately know what the ball is doing, how hard the bowler is hitting his gloves, and he is in the best place to spot any weakness in the batter in front of him. The only problem he will have is juggling the toughest job on the field - wicketkeeping - with the second toughest, captaincy. His concentration levels will be tested.

Bob Woolmer, South Africa's coach from 1994 to 1999, will be giving his verdict throughout the Test series against Australia.

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