To all the reasons why SA want to beat Australia in their Test series starting at Kingsmead on Thursday‚ add 5.8-million more. The Aussies need to win the four-match rubber at least 3-0 to displace SA from their second place in the rankings. A South African win by any margin‚ even a drawn series‚ will mean they retain second place and win R5.8m. Thing is‚ the last time SA won a home series against the Australians the Soweto uprising was still six years away and the Aussies’ prime minister was John Gorton. Who? Exactly. Ali Bacher’s SA blanked Bill Lawry’s Australia 4-0 in the summer of 1970-71. The big picture is indeed big enough‚ but the subplots are just as worthy of focus. Top of the list is Morné Morkel’s announcement on Monday that the series would be his last as an international player. "I think there’s a mutual feeling of shock because you don’t expect a guy to be retiring so soon‚" Elgar said about the 33-year-old fast bowler. "He’s been playing 12 years of professional cri...
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