Proteas captain Dean Elgar expects England to be back with a vengeance in the second Test at Old Trafford starting on Thursday.
However, he has warned that his side remains as hungry as ever for success.
The tourists claimed a stunning innings and 12-run victory in the first Test at Lord’s, but know England are desperate to make amends in Manchester.
“I know it won’t [go the same way],” Elgar told media on Wednesday. “It’s going to be a lot tougher knowing that England were hurt and I know they’re coming back with a vengeance against us.
“I really just hope we can play another solid game of cricket. I think that will give us the best chance to try and get into a position of victory. But, we know we have to start again where the scoreboard is on nought for nought and we’ll have to start off pretty well against them.”
Elgar also highlighted the “will to win” within his team.
“What happened in the first Test was amazing for us. We played really solid, sound cricket as we’ve been doing the past year. I think our hunger was up there and I think our hunger’s still here. I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere. We drive a hard message with regards to that.
“We really want to play a brand of cricket that everyone loves back home, and hopefully the rest of the world enjoys. It’s difficult to read the future, I wish I could, and I really hope the second Test goes the same way.”
The Proteas bowlers blew England away at Lord’s, taking 20 wickets in just 82.4 overs, and Elgar warned they can get “much better”.
“They’re still pretty fresh, which is a nice thing to have from my part. They had a brilliant game, the wicket obviously assisted them as well at Lord’s and you’ve got to take that into account as well.
“But, again, you’ve got to put the ball in the right areas and they did that. And again it brings us back to the first question about hunger and I think our bowlers are leading our pack at the moment, they’re extremely hungry for success.
“The competition amongst them is brilliant and the way they go about things is some of the most professional behaviour I’ve seen from fast bowlers. It’s a great asset to have them leading the pack like that. You don’t have to speak to them too much. They just know what to do.
“They’ve been around the international scene now for quite some time. This may be a different wicket, so they’ll have to adapt, but this is a massive strength of ours.”
