South Africa vs. England, 4th Test: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

The series has been lost and South Africa have dropped down from the No. 1 spot in the Test rankings to third, so the hosts will be playing for pride in the fourth and final Test against visitors England, beginning at Centurion on Friday.

Date: Friday Jan. 22 to Tuesday Jan. 26

Time: 10 a.m. local, 8 a.m. GMT

Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa

Live Stream and TV Info: Sky Sports 2 (UK) and SuperSport (South Africa)

Weather: There's a thunderstorm forecast for almost every day of the Test, according to AccuWeather.com. These storms usually come late in the afternoon, and with the light fading fast in these parts of the world, it's definitely going to be a challenge.

Overview

To date, England have outplayed South Africa in every aspect. The Proteas have had to contend with injuries to two of their best bowlers—Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander—but they have been lacking those magical moments England have produced. From Ben Stokes’ spellbinding double hundred at Newlands on Jan. 3 to Stuart Broad’s destruction at the Wanderers on Jan. 16, England have always seemed to be a step ahead of their hosts.

From the squad selection for the fourth Test, it seems as though South Africa might try a few new things. They have called up Stephen Cook, an opener, to the side and released the struggling Stiaan van Zyl back to his franchise, the Cape Cobras. Rilee Rossouw has also been released. Quinton de Kock has been passed fit, so his replacement, Dane Vilas, has also been released.

This creates an interesting selection dynamic. There were suggestions South Africa might open with De Kock at the Wanderers and shift Van Zyl down the order, but with an opener now in the side and Van Zyl released, Cook seems set for a debut with De Kock slotting back down the order.

Dane Piedt, the spinner who missed out at the Bullring, could return in place of Hardus Viljoen with Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada leading the attack and Kyle Abbott offering back up, or Chris Morris filling in the all-rounder role.

With nothing to lose in the final Test, it’s all about gaining some confidence and pride for South Africa. They won’t play another Test for about six months, but they could do with a bit of good news.

England will be without Steven Finn, who misses out through injury, but the rest of their attack have shown they’ve got the legs to see off the best batsmen in the world.

Centurion always offers a lively track, so expect the fast bowlers to have great success here—if the thunderstorms stay away, of course.

Key players

South Africa

Under the intense pressure of this series, AB de Villiers has not quite looked like himself. But he's on his home turf now and some of the pressure is off, so the captain has the chance to lead from the front and inspire his troops to do something great.

England

Stuart Broad seems to produce the kinds of magical spells he did at the Wanderers quite often these days. The Centurion wicket will be ideal for the English pace ace, so South Africa's top order will have their work cut out for them.

Squads

South Africa

Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Kyle Abbott, Dane Piedt, Dean Elgar, Stephen Cook, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Hardus Viljoen, Chris Morris and Quinton de Kock.

England

Alastair Cook, Alex Hales, Gary Ballance, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Mark Footitt, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Nick Compton, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan and Samit Patel.

All information obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.