I’ve heard it said that there is little of value that cricket does not teach. I’m not entirely convinced but I do know that Test match cricket is a raw examination of a man’s and perhaps even a nation’s character. The length of the game combined with few restrictions on tactic and strategy compel men to great feats and conversely, perverse abject failure.

In the seven days cricket contested between South Africa and India during the current three Test series, the tourists have proved themselves a tough, committed well-coached side that is determined to succeed despite the obstacles continually put in their way by meddling politicians, bureaucrats and well intentioned social engineers.

Led admirably and intelligently by the domineering Graeme Smith, the men of the Rainbow nation are displaying the same characteristics that has made Australia, and the West Indies before them, a dominant force in world cricket.

Smith, a premature veteran at 27, was thrust into the captaincy in only his eighth Test and after 57 as captain the squad is beginning to resemble him in style and substance. He is now the master of his domain and the younger players - Steyn, de Villiers, Morkel, Amla, Prince - all have a skipper that they admire and respond to with discipline and affection.

Senior players like Boucher and Kallis are playing with an increased sense of responsibility and Smith now knows that he can rely on them when the chips are down be it with bat, in the field or in the dressing room.

The presence of a strong charismatic leader cannot be overstated or underestimated in a cricket side as Steve Waugh, Clive Lloyd, Peter May and Don Bradman have demonstrated. Of course, to be successful you need talent but with a leader who possesses experience, respect and patience, a team willing to believe in him coupled with a burning desire to win and you have a potent brew for lasting success.

With an insurmountable first innings lead of 417 at stumps on day two in Ahmedabad, it appears a near certainty that South Africa will not lose the current series in India. Apart from one remarkable innings by Virender Sehwag combined with a big partnership with Rahul Dravid, the Proteas have dominated this series in a way that suggests that they are on the rise as a cricketing nation.

Sometime tomorrow, we will discover the true nature of the Indian team’s character. They were easily excited by winning a meaningless dead rubber Test match and a pair of equally unimportant ODI finals in Australia. Against Smith’s men in the morning they will be batting to save the outcome of the series. If they fail, and that is likely, and do not lose by an innings I think we can judge yesterday’s 20 over capitulation as an aberration. However, if they turn it up without a struggle I think we can say quite fairly that this Indian team’s visions of grandeur are a complete fantasy.

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