England vs South Africa: A Series to Stand Up

Who knows, in thirty years time we may be looking forward to the start of this series being played for the Kevin Pietersen Trophy in honour of his work for Anglo-Springbok relations. What is for sure is that in 2008 the four-test series will be full of fire and aggression.

South Africa is seen by many as Australia's biggest rival, while England is in the lead up to their Ashes showdown next year. The winning side come August will lay claim to being the world's number two nation.

The most intriguing aspect of the battle is the amount of duels that there will be. Number one is the duel between Kevin Pietersen and the whole of the South African team.

Make no mistake there is still a whole river of bad blood between the two. Many have not forgiven Pietersen for leaving his homeland and the things he said in the process. The one-day games between the two will be no match for the intensity that the Test atmosphere will bring.

South Africa will target Pietersen and he loves a challenge. If he stands up to be counted then he could well drag some of the under-performing members of the batting line-up with him. If he fades, the cracks in England's line-up maybe exposed.

The weapon to attack Pietersen will be pace, the cards are already on the table. Ntini, Steyn, Morkel, Kallis et al will all be ready to run in pepper the England batsman in an attack not seen by many since the West Indies in the 1970s and 80s.

The pressure is on these men however to perform. Shaun Pollock is no longer there to lead the attack, Ntini needs to stand up and do that, otherwise their only real variation is the spin of Paul Harris.

It has often been a criticism of Graeme Smith's captaincy that there is no plan B. If England can negate the pace barrage and get through the early danger then Smith's brain will be tested to the full.

It has all the hallmarks of a classic series and with its place in the centre of the British summer and big crowds expected, let's just hope it lives up to expectation.