Ahead of the three-match Test series against India, Proteas skipper Dean Elgar has said that Jasprit Bumrah can cause trouble to his team as the right-arm pacer can exploit the "spicy" South African conditions.
Bumrah had made his Test debut on India’s last tour to South Africa in 2017-18, which the visitors had lost 1-2.
See Also: South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje ruled out of India Test series
However, the appearance of the home team has drastically changed since then with the retirement of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Faf Du Plessis, Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander.
In a virtual media interaction, Elgar spoke about the Bumrah threat before saying that the entire Indian attack will be tough to face.
"He (Bumrah) is a world-class bowler. If there is one bowler who can exploit South African conditions pretty well, it would be him. But again, we don't focus on one guy. India as a whole is a pretty, pretty good side. They've been a pretty good side for the last two to three years and have toured very well of late," he said.
Elgar also acknowledged the quality of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is yet to make a mark with his performance in South Africa.
"India has been an immensely improved bowling line up especially playing away from home as well. We're very mindful of what we're going to be up against.
"Being in South Africa I would like to think we're a lot more accustomed to our home conditions. So I rather be sitting here knowing that than possibly sitting in Indian dressing room knowing that they have to face our bowlers."
The hosts have suffered a huge blow ahead of the Test series opener, with Anrich Nortje being ruled out due to injury. Kagiso Rabada will now spearhead the attack alongside Lungi Ngidi and Duanne Oliver, who has returned to play for South Africa after the end of Kolpak deal in the UK.
Elgar expects pitches to have enough spice for the bowlers.
"There's always a little bit of spice in South African wickets, especially in Highveld region. I wouldn't see too much change (from last series). If you apply yourself as a batter, if you nail down your skills and your disciplines, you can really score runs in Centurion.
"Again, with the ball in hand you can exploit the conditions if you got pace and bounce and if you got some skill and be a little patient from a bowling point of view," he said when asked about the match up of both the pace attacks.
Commenting on South Africa’s inexperience batting line-up, he said: "Professional cricket is about taking your opportunities and making the position your own...if they don't, there'll be other guys knocking on the door.
"But it's always going to be tough playing against the best side in the world. They've got a very good bowling lineup and we are aware of it."
When asked about the return of Oliver, Dean Elgar replied: "There's no bad feelings about what's happened in the past. I want to win cricket matches and series for South Africa. I'm pretty sure I've got 100 percent backing when it comes to that.
"So, it's nice to have him back. He's learned a lot playing in the UK. And so he's bringing a lot of knowledge and experience back into the change, which is something that we need at the moment.
"He is a match winner and if he can win cricket matches for us I'm all for having him back."
The first Test is scheduled to get underway on December 26 in Centurion.
(With PTI inputs)
