South Africa are looking forward to the rarity of a home series when the first Test against England starts on Friday.
South Africa last played a home series between December 2003-February 2004 and since then they have toured New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England and India.
Six of captain Graeme Smith's seven Test series in charge have been away rubbers and in that time South Africa have slipped from second to sixth on the Test rankings.
Under Smith, South Africa have played 20 Tests, winning eight, drawing six and losing six.
All-rounder Andrew Hall, who hit his maiden Test hundred against India last month, knows England, now ranked second behind Australia, will present tough opposition.
"They played really well against the West Indies and New Zealand and they deserve the number two spot in the world," he told a news conference on Wednesday.
He added: "We're looking to strike early because the longer the series goes on the more England are going to get used to our conditions."
England lost their warm-up match against South Africa A which ended on Monday by seven wickets.
{{/usCountry}}England lost their warm-up match against South Africa A which ended on Monday by seven wickets.
{{/usCountry}}