Are South Africa able to take Australia’s top Test nation crown? Obviously yes! No Proteas' fan will tell you Australia are invincible and I am confident South Africa will end 2008 at Number One in the ICC Test Rankings.

South Africa do not mess about with all the hyping of players and great South African cricketers have never enjoyed the fanatical stardom of the Aussies, yet they can do the job.

Jacques Kallis is in a league of his own when you look at the ICC all-rounder rankings. In fact it's pretty embarrassing to see Daniel Vettori on the same page as Kallis in the stats. It's more embarrassing to see players like Andrew Flintoff enjoying stardom while in the great shadow cast by the humble and workmanlike Kallis.

'The South African team whole is greater than the sum of the parts'


The list of current South African greats has that underrated quality. Mark Boucher, a world-record holding wicketkeeper-batsman, and he faces the indignity of proving his worth every match while overshadowed by glitter covered stars like MS Dhoni.

Graeme Smith is another one, and Protea's fans again explain exactly how 'pitiful' it is to have a 'muppet' like the young 27-year-old in their ranks. South Africans can only scratch their heads in bewilderment at 'true' cricketers like Steven Fleming who belittle his prowess when we MERELY have Smith churning out records.

Unlike India who harp on about their Big Five, South African fans will tell you they believe their team is an example of the saying, 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts'. This fulfils a necessary part of South African culture where deference is valued more highly than vanity and stardom.

So in true South African tradition, Australia are the greatest Test-playing nation we're going to be dethroning this season.

Argue till you are blue in the face but 2008 is going to see South Africa ahead on points and the ICC Ranking will show Australia as 'has beens' by 2009. This equation includes some misfortune on the part of the Aussies after their forfeit of ICC points from the cancelled Pakistan tour, but who said cricket never relied on a bit of luck.

The South Africans have the best fielding team in the business and with 40 Tests this season, sees them as the squad with the greatest work ethic.

After a win or draw in India, South Africa will tour to England as favourites. A triumphant 2008 in England will see South Africa in Australia as number one with the Aussies contending to regain their spot. With the 'season of spite' hopefully resting heavily on the Aussies shoulders, I think the Proteas might try some more Indian-style brinkmanship and this might guarantee the end of this era and style of Australian cricket.

As the 2008 season comes full circle, I think the No.1 spot will be more hotly contended, and the era of Aussie domination will have been put to bed by more squads that up their tempo with ever increasing professionalism.

But it will be South Africa that knock Australia off their perch in 2008. This is a cheque you can bank, even in at the Bank of Australia!