Who'd have thought that just 13 months after beating the Aussies on their home turf in the Boxing Day test to secure the series the victorious coach Mickey Arthur would be forced to resign?
Since becoming the first side in over 10 years to win a test series down under, which followed straight after a test series win in England, South Africa's record has been poor despite for a time being ranked the number one side in the ICC rankings.
A home series defeat to an Australian side containing a journeyman such as Andrew MacDonald and a drawn series with England also at home had put Arthur and skipper Graeme Smith under pressure - particularly because negative cricket had cost them victories at Centurion and Cape Town.
Two wins, three defeats and two draws from seven home tests is poor by anyone's standards (except Bangladesh) especially when you have Steyn, Kallis, Smith et al in the line-up.
It seems that having sweated blood to get to the top of the tree, the Proteas took their foot off the gas, had too many braiis and just expected their opponents to bend over for an arse whipping. Arthur as coach must take some of the blame for this.
However, the timing of his resignation and the sacking of an unknown bowling coach as well as the selection panel four days before the team is due to fly for India is surprising to say the least - especially as the same selection panel was allowed to choose the tour party only days earlier.
Maybe Cricket South Africa thinks it is a premier league football team, making it mandatory to sack the coach at least once a year? Maybe it is simply because Arthur stole the last crate of Castle from the fridge? Wherever the truth lies the Proteas task in India is now even tougher.
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