The Proteas will formally begin a new era in South African cricket on Tuesday when they face the West Indies in the first Test at SuperSport Park in Johannesburg.
Temba Bavuma will captain the hosts for the first time, with Shukri Conrad serving as red-ball coach for the two-game series, the home side's final assignment in their 2021-2023 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The Proteas are fourth in those rankings, having been in the top three for the majority of the competition, but they are officially out of contention for the June final. Nonetheless, they have a lot to look forward to under the new leadership and a lot of new faces in a strong squad for the series.
"I believe it is an exciting time for all of the guys involved. It's the start of a new adventure. We'd like to start fresh and really go out there and play the way we want to play "Bavuma stated this during the pre-match press conference on Monday.
"That is how we intend to conduct our business, and I believe you will hear me say it frequently. That is the thrilling part. I'd like to see how everything looks on the field. We come into the series against the West Indies intending to win, and that is exactly what we will do "He went on to say.
Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, and Ryan Rickelton have returned to the batting lineup, and Tony de Zorzi is also in the mix after an outstanding domestic season.
Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, and the uncapped Gerald Coetzee have all been recalled to the bowling attack.
"Looking at the squad of 15, we have resources whether we decide to go with a pace attack, we have the guys to do that, and we also have the opportunity to go with a spin attack with guys like Kesh (Keshav Maharaj) and (Simon) Harmer," Bavuma explained.
"We also have the option of going with an extra batter at number seven. The coach will still make that decision. But I believe we have enough resources to support whatever strategy we choose "He went on to say.
South Africa dropped out of contention due to poor batting performances on difficult tours to England and Australia over the last eight months, and Bavuma believes his team needs to improve in that area.
"We recognise that as a batting unit, we must improve. We had two tough series against Australia and England previously, and from my experience, those are always difficult tours to play in. They are tours that separate the good guys from the really good guys, so those matches came with challenges that we didn't meet," he said.
"Having said that, the guys are still here. They still want to be men. As a batting team, we understand that we must score runs to allow the bowlers to do their jobs. Those personal conversations have occurred with the guys, and we believe we have dealt with it as a team.
"Hopefully, the guys here with the West Indies will go out and show what they need to do as a team," he added.
In assessing the West Indies, who have never won a series in South Africa and have only once beaten the hosts, the Proteas captain believes they will pose a significant challenge to the hosts.
"Looking at the West Indies recently, they play old-fashioned cricket. Batters grind it out, and bowlers try to hit their spots outside of the off stump. They have players who can handle the pressure, and they are well led by Kraigg Brathwaite," Bavuma said.
"I believe we have prepared as well as we could to play them as we would any other team. They have good bowlers who can get the ball through nicely, which is what a country like South Africa requires. So we know we have our work cut out for us, and we are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead "He went on to say.