iafrica.com's Tim Human presents five reasons why South Africa should win the series against England, and then, gives us five reasons why England could upset the hosts in SA?

A quick comparison of the two squads reveals a distinct difference in terms of experience in the one-day arena. The Proteas first-choice team, give or take a position or two, picks itself and there is a clear definition of roles in the team. The players in possession have forged a well-drilled unit and it will be a tough ask for a young and inexperienced English outfit to outperform a settled South African team consistently over a five match series.

Ok, let?s have look at this new top-order of ours. Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy ? is there a better opening four in world cricket? The simple answer is no. This quartet has it all: experience, class, aggression, innovation, grit.... I needn?t go any further. If two of them come off in one match, the game is as good as won. A bit of dovetailing throughout the series, and the whole thing is as good as won.

Fact #1: the Proteas perform better at home (And yes, I say this despite the recent Champions trophy disaster, but I?ll get to that later). Bounce and pace suit our batsmen and bowlers, and the lack of swing in the air, with the possible exception of Newlands at night, will negate the danger posed by Jimmy Anderson and co. Of course, the Barmy Army will come out in their numbers and will no-doubt make their sunburnt, Castle Lager-fuelled presence felt, but Proteas fans will have some special attention reserved for Pietersen and Strauss. Whatever?s is happening on the field, the grass banks are always a fun place to be when the Poms are around.

The final overs of the bowling innings has never been a traditional strength of the Proteas, but in this series they may just hold the edge. In Wayne Parnell, South Africa have unearthed one of the finest exponents of the yorker in world cricket, and if prodigal son Charl Langeveldt lives up to the hype that has been created in his absence, the English could find it hard to find the rope in the final ten. If the two ?death? specialists will be picked in the same team remains to be seen, but with this in mind, I think it?s worth a try.

This is where I come back to the Champions Trophy debacle. Fact #2: Proteas don?t like knockout tournaments. The safety of a five-match series will allow the players the freedom to play to their ability without the scary ?chokers? tag hanging over them. The better team should, and usually does, come out on top over the course a series like this and South Africa should, and probably will, win.