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The Proteas have been backed by many commentators to take victory in the four-match series and Arthur thinks that his squad have prepared properly for the task in hand.

He said: "There is a special buzz. This is one of the tours we've been talking about as a group ever since the planning started two years ago.

"I'm pretty sure we've done the work we need to have done and I'm confident we're right now.

"You can feel in the dressing room the boys are ready for the Test and just want to get cracking in the series now.

"We're counting down the hours. I wish it was starting in two days' time, that is how ready I feel we are as a group.

"Each day is delaying it. We just want to start playing now and get our teeth into the series. I'm really confident we've put together a really competitive side.

"South Africa have never won in England since unity, so it is something we've put pretty high on our agenda."