The Cricketer looks at the prevailing topics ahead of the second three-match 20-over series between the two nations in 2020...
In the longest and most turbulent of years, South African cricket has endured a personal crisis largely of its own making.
While the men and women's senior teams have been prevented from playing due to Covid-19 - tours to India, Sri Lanka, West Indies and England were called off - those running the game have been more than busy.
Board members have resigned, senior executives have been disgraced, the government have been forced to intervene and the sport dragged through the mud. Even with the prospect of actual international cricket returning to the Rainbow Nation, this series was only confirmed last week.
Daniel Gallan talks through the wacky world that is South African cricket here.
While recent months has seen global sport return to something approaching normality, though mostly without crowds, it has been far from tranquil for South Africa's players. Five were forced to pull out of the CPL after being unable to travel to the Caribbean in time to quarantine before the tournament.
Slowly but surely, the sport in the country has flickered into life. The premier first-class domestic competition burst into life at the start of the month; players have featured in the Indian Premier League, T20 Challenge and Women's Big Bash League. Call it the calm after the storm, if you will.
This series is the next step towards drawing a line under the last year. Two hundred and sixty-five days will have past since the Proteas' last outing by the time Quinton de Kock's side take to the field against Eoin Morgan's men at Newlands.
What De Kock didn't need was for two of his players to be struck down with Covid-19 before the series. Much of the squad is already short of match-practice as it is, and this won't have helped matters.
Good, bad or indifferent, South Africa badly need some cricket to distract from reality.
What is England's first-choice top three?
What England's top-order will look like come next year's World Cup will become much clearer over the next week or so as Eoin Morgan is finally forced to show his hand. Never before has he had all his options fully fit and firing ahead of a series.
Tom Banton and Jonny Bairstow opened in England's last T20 outing against Australia, won by the tourists by five wickets. But much has changed since that match at The Ageas Bowl. Banton is out of favour, pushed into the reserves, while Bairstow finished the IPL on the fringes at Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Jos Buttler has been identified as Morgan's No.1 opener, but the 'keeper has just spent the IPL with Rajasthan Royals down the order. His replacement, Ben Stokes, flourished in that position and adds to the dilemma facing his captain. And then there is Jason Roy, who missed the Aussie series with an injury, skipped the IPL but had a good end to the T20 Blast for runners-up Surrey.
A penny also for the thoughts of Dawid Malan, arguably the form player of the six and the No.1 ranked batsman in the ICC rankings. Seven fifties, a century and an average of 48.71 in 20-over internationals and yet he could go overlooked completely.
There is an embarrassment of riches but also pressure on to get it right. Unlike with the four years Morgan had to develop the 50-over side, the make-up of the T20 side has not been given the same level of devotion. Series against India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan home and away and Bangladesh are pencilled in between now and the World Cup - at least 14 matches - but the time to experiment is rapidly reducing.
Just seven of the South Africa players who went to the IPL are involved in this series, meaning the large majority of the squad have played very little cricket since last March. Many have played in the four-day competition of late, but when you set a handful of outings against the months of cricket most of England players have had, there is a large chasm between the recent activity of both squads.
It may have been tempting for this series to turn to some of the old guard, even if it would have meant looking at players without national contracts. Dale Steyn has made no secret of his desire to play in the World Cup but over the last 18 months he has either struggled for form or fitness, rarely getting through competitions with consistent performances or without being struck down.
Chris Morris enjoyed a better IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking 11 wickets at 19.09, getting Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler in the win over Rajasthan Royals. Imran Tahir hasn't played an international since the World Cup but is still among the best legspinners at this level. At 41 he is showing no sign of slowing down.
Then there is the AB de Villiers. Talks appear to have been ongoing for months over his return to international cricket, without either party full committing. Whether South Africa are committed to bringing through a new generation or not, they would be foolish not to indulge in reinstating De Villiers, assuming he is keen on a return.
Graeme Smith, Cricket South Africa's director of cricket, hopes these T20s will bring a smile to faces of fans watching this series at home. Perhaps it might have been prudent to have given in to some sentimentality, in that case.
AB de Villiers continues to flirt with an international return
Since February 2013, Stuart Broad has been England's leading wicket-taker in men's T20s with 65. But not since the World Cup in 2014 has he featured in the international format. Since, the bowling attack has seen more changes than the Sugarbabes.
Six-and-a-half years on from Broad's last outing in England T20 colours there is set to be a new man atop of the standings. Four women (Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt, Danni Hazell and Jenny Gunn) all have more for England than the Notts seamer. Nat Sciver is not far away from joining them, either.
If Chris Jordan can dismiss at least three South African batsmen during his outings - his name on the teamsheet has become more certain in the last few years - the record will be his. Not that he is putting too much significance on the record.
"To this point, it is not something I've thought about," he said. "It has crept up on me a little bit. On a day-to-day basis, I just try to give everything I can for the team and towards a winning cause.
"If wickets is a part of that, runs are a part of that then so be it. I am always happy to contribute to the team with the bat, ball or in the field, anything to help this team moving forward."
Gift a subscription to The Cricketer this Christmas and choose your free gift (a £20 John Lewis gift card or copy of Bob Willis: A Cricketer & A Gentleman). Subscribe here
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.