Batsmen set for easier ride
In more favourable conditions, batsmen should fine life easier in and 2013-14 Sunfoil series and South Africa will hope some Test batsman emerge
An exciting selection of players in all departments has given Cobras some interesting options this season. The focus will be on batsmen Yaseen Vallie, quick bowler Lizaad Williams and offspinner Dane Piedt who will all look to secure regular places. Stiaan van Zyl, second on the run-charts last year, will hope to use this summer to push for national selection.
Imran Tahir was rehabilitated at Lions after his Adelaide nightmare and has become a feature in all three formats for South Africa. Lonwabo Tsotsobe will hope for the same for himself. The loss of his Test place coincided with the rise of Vernon Philander but Tsotsobe has intentions to get it back and hopes to show that this summer. Quinton de Kock will be hopeful of something similar. Now a firm fixture in South Africa's limited-overs team, the young wicket-keeper batsman will look to hone his longer form game and show he is capable as a Test player as well.
Dolphins are the only team with an overseas professional playing in all formats and Graham Onions will be the focus of their campaign. He was instrumental in Durham's victory in the County championship where he took 70 wickets at 18.45, numbers not good enough to earn an Ashes place but numbers Dolphins would love replicated. His influence on Kyle Abbott will also be important as Abbott looks to earn himself more Tests for South Africa.
Ashwell Prince has a reputation for grinding it out and will have to serve as an example to the likes of Colin Ingram. Ryan Bailey's inclusion from the Knights should also bolster their batting. Parnell, who had a good season with bat and ball last summer, will try to use the campaign to show his Test worthiness while bowling talent in Gqamane, Theron and Simon Harmer will all be on the national selectors' radar.
Dean Elgar is an opening batsman by trade and will be eyeing that position in the Test team, especially given the lack of form of Alviro Petersen. Rilee Rossouw and Reeza Hendricks can always be counted on to notch up big runs but there will be keen interest in Diego Rosier, an under-19 player looking to make his mark.
A stress fracture kept Marchant de Lange out of most of last season but he is back, bowling quickly and wants another shot at Test cricket. Farhaan Behardien is another player who is also keen to work his way back into the South African side while Henry Davids, who is part of the T20 squad, will want to display his longer-form credentials.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent