This Saturday marks the start of the third and
deciding Test in Cape Town. With the series on the line, it is time to
look at who the potential match-winners are in both line-ups.
The
last time these two sides met at this ground was in 2011, when Australia
skittled the Proteas for 96 runs in the first innings to take a 188-run
lead, before being blasted out for just 47 on the way to an
eight-wicket loss.It is unlikely a similar scenario will present itself this weekend, given there is more than a fair chance the pitch presented for the third Test will be a low-bounce track designed to take the sting out of Australia's main weapon, Mitchell Johnson.
Regardless, there are a number of men who are more than capable of turning the Test and winning the series for their teams.
MITCHELL JOHNSON
The Port Elizabeth pitch may have blunted his impact on the second Test, but Johnson remains the tourists' most likely match-winner.To say he is in a rich vein of form is an understatement. In his last 14 innings - against England and South Africa - Johnson has taken 52 wickets at a miserly average of 14.71.
His ability to bowl at pace coupled with his intimidation of opposition batsmen through so-called "armpit balls" makes him a danger man no matter what deck he plays on.
West Indies' pace bowling legend Michael Holding said before the series began that batsmen would much rather face Dale Steyn than Johnson.
If he can get a few early deliveries to go big on the Proteas' batsmen, Johnson could set the scene for another triumphant end to a series for his side.
DALE STEYN
He is the number one ranked bowler in the world, and he has just given the Australians a painful reminder of his abilities, taking four key wickets in the final session of South Africa's 231-run win at Port Elizabeth.
Aside from pace, what Steyn possesses is the ability to utilise reverse swing - when he is in form he is, like Johnson, all but unplayable.
The man they call the Steyn remover has been a go-to bowler for captain Graeme Smith, going wicketless just once in his last 34 innings.
The 30-year-old is eminently capable of ripping through the Australian top six or turning the game in a session like he did this week.
AB DE VILLIERS
DeVilliers and team-mate Hashim Amla are the best two batsmen in the number one Test side in the world.
There is almost nothing separating the pair's Test performances in Cape Town - De Villiers has scored 824 runs at 41.2 at the ground, while Amla has scored 827 runs at 41.35.
But DeVilliers's form makes him the more likely match-winner at this moment. He has amassed 868 runs at 78.9 in his last 11 innings (including four centuries and two 90s), compared to Amla's 467 runs at 42.5 (two centuries and one in the 90s).
His timing, driving and footwork make him a difficult man to dislodge - if the Australians cannot dismiss him cheaply the hosts' chances of sealing the series will be greatly enhanced.
DAVID WARNER
The master blaster has continued his resurgence in South Africa, and he poses a huge threat to the Proteas' attack in Cape Town.
Warner had a strong return Ashes series, scoring 523 runs at an average of 58.1.
He has backed that up with 263 runs at 65.75 in the first two Tests in South Africa, reaching 50 in three of his four innings.
His boundary-hitting feats are well known, but his ability to attack in general and put bowlers (and their captains) on the defensive is more important.
The Proteas bowlers have found it difficult to remove him, and if Warner gets into a groove at Newlands, he could quickly take the game away from the hosts.
RYAN HARRIS
Prior to the re-emergence of Johnson, Harris was the driving force behind the Australian attack.
He took 46 wickets at 19.5 in the back-to-back Ashes series against England, and although he has not been in quite such potent form against the Proteas, he is still of crucial importance.
If Johnson is not making the breakthroughs for Australia, then it will fall to Harris to restrict the South African batting and force the errors that will give the visitors the momentum.
When the ball starts swinging, he will become an even more dangerous proposition. If the Proteas focus all their attention on Johnson, he could well make them pay.
MORNE MORKEL
The last time the two sides met in Cape Town, Vernon Philander was the main destroyer for South Africa, with match figures of 8 for 78.
But Philander has looked out of touch in the first two Tests of the series. It is Morkel who provides the real menace with his ability to extract steepling bounce to challenge Australia's batsmen.
An ankle ligament tear late last year limited his effectiveness in the series against India, and so far he has taken just five wickets against the Australians.
But like Philander he has fond memories of Cape Town, taking 6 for 91 for the match in the Proteas' win.
NATHAN LYON
Lyon does not leap out as a natural match-winner, but he could provide a critical point of difference for the tourists.
The perpetually under-appreciated spinner has been in solid form, with strong performances against India on the subcontinent, a seven-wicket match against England at Chester-le-Street and another six scalps at the MCG in the return Ashes series.
He was also the main wicket-taker in the first innings at Port Elizabeth, taking 5 for 130.
South Africa have generally relied on their pacemen in Cape Town in recent years, however in the latest Test played at Newlands Robin Peterson took five for the match for the Proteas and Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal had match figures of 10 for 147.
South Africa's spin options will not elicit much fear in the Australians, but if the wicket is turning then Lyon could be a definite danger man.
