South Africa recently broke their five-match losing streak in Tests as they handed a 107-run loss to the touring England side at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Anrich Nortje and Test debutant Rassie van der Dussen shared a crucial second-innings partnership of 91 which played a big role in the home team’s victory.

While talking to media the Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen said that according to him the way Nortje dealt with bouncers from England's fast bowlers gave an indication of the kind of mental toughness to be expected from South Africa under new head coach Mark Boucher.

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“When they came really hard at us, those are the things you live for. (Anrich) was obviously jumping around to those short balls. I said, listen, I promise you it may not be fun in the moment but the satisfaction afterward, that's the fun part of it, so hang in there, we’re going to get through this,” he said.

The 30-year-old then praised former South African players Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis who according to him brought the hard mentality that is needed in the longest format of the game.

“Guys like Boucher, (Jacques) Kallis have brought that really hard mentality that I think you need in Test cricket. It's a high-pressure environment out there on the field and you need that hardness, that toughness,” the right-hander said.

After the first match at Centurion, South Africa will take the field against Joe Root and Co. from 3-7 January at Newlands, Cape Town.

(With AFP inputs)