Turning to spin hasn’t paid off for the Proteas.
After now-retired Hashim Amla admitted this week that South Africa had been over reliant on a pace attack under former coach Ottis Gibson, the change in bowling approach seems just as misguided.
The first morning of the first Test against India was a complete nightmare for the trio of spinners.
Debutant Senuran Muthusamy got a baptism of fire that had him dropping and rolling and pulled out of the attack after five overs.
He did make up for it on Day Two with a maiden wicket to remember - a caught and bowled for Virat Kohli’s scalp.
Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt didn’t fare any better as they got smoked all over the place.
After a month of spin camp and acclimatising in India beforehand, you would like to think these manne had a clue.
IMPACT: Debutant Senuran Muthusamy. Picture: Supplied.
Instead, they went the entire day without even taking a wicket and only rain kept the Indians from moering them even more.
Now, obviously this might just be growing pains and any fan of this team will hope that an improvement is coming.
But on the evidence from the first day, team director Enoch Nkwe’s interim tenure could be a short one.
Yes, everything about this team is provisional and even with a competitive side, touring India is as tough as it gets, but yoh manne, don’t embarrass yourselves.
When we finally get a kans to bat, at least show that you learnt something at spin camp and give a good showing batting against their attack.