The Cricketer runs down the who, what, where, when, why, which channel and how wet it wil be as the 50-over format returns
After England claimed a 3-1 Test series success, they do battle with South Africa again in three one-day internationals. It is both side's first 50-over outings since the World Cup.
FIRST ODI: Newlands, Cape Town (Tuesday, February 4, 1pm local time, 11am GMT)
SECOND ODI: Durban, Kingsmead (Friday, February 7, 1pm local time, 11am GMT)
THIRD ODI: The Wanderers, Johannesburg (Sunday, February 9, 10am local time, 8am GMT)
The confetti has been cleared away, the last of the champagne mopped up and the medal placed on the mantlepiece. England's World Cup win is now a piece of sporting history and now here comes the cold harsh reality of their success.
Living up to their title as world champions is arguably as daunting a prospect for Eoin Morgan's men as winning the competition in the first place.
They will be judged like never before. Every mistake micro-analysed. Any slip in intensity blown out of proportion. A lack of desire or motivation deemed a betrayal of their status.
It is fairer to say that while sustaining their impressive 50-over form is important, preparing for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November is of greater importance. Preparing the players and building a squad for that tournament is the priority over winning.
Eight of the squad which tasted success at Lord's in July are back for this batch of matches before the 20-over games take center-stage. Moeen Ali's return is perhaps the most intriguing, having not played for England since the first Ashes Test in August.
Tom Banton impressed on his first T20 outings in New Zealand and will now be tested in the longer format. He, like Tom Curran, enjoyed decent Big Bash League campaigns and come into the series in a good place.
Chris Jordan returns to this format for the first time in two-and-a-half years, Matt Parkinson has the opportunity to impress having had a watching brief for much of the winter and Jason Roy is also back in the fray after his problems in the Test arena.
The outcome of this series might be inconsequential to England's attempts to become the first country to hold both limited-overs World Cups simultaneously but several players will be competing for a place in India in 2023. In many ways, their campaigns start now.
England have eight of the squad involved in the World Cup in South Africa
Moeen Ali is back after taking a break from England and he is accompanied by Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Sam Curran and Dawid Malan, all of whom missed out on World Cup selection.
Saqib Mahmood, Banton and Parkinson are bidding for their debuts in this form, while Sam Curran is bidding for his first ODI outing since October 2018.
Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood have been rested, while Jofra Archer is injury and will miss both white-ball series. Pat Brown also misses out with a stress fracture in his back, having been named in the original squad.
England squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Tom Banton (wk), Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matthew Parkinson, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Chris Woakes.
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The overhaul of South African cricket needs no introduction. And the reconstruction behind the scenes has bled into the senior team, with this latest batch of players almost unrecognisable from the group which turned up at the World Cup and left in disgrace.
There are four uncapped players and several big names left out altogether. Quinton de Kock is the new captain, succeeding the discarded Faf du Plessis, who will have a watching brief.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have been rested after the Test series, while there is no place for Dale Steyn who is being held back for the T20s.
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Aiden Markram misses out with a broken finger which ended his Test series prematurely, while a host of post-World Cup retirements leaves some major holes in the squad. Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy are the high-profile absentees.
Bjorn Fortuin, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne and Lutho Sipamla represent the new blood for The Proteas.
South Africa squad: Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Temba Bavuma, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.
South Africa have a much-changed squad as their new era continues
Warm sunshine and clear skies are expected for the first ODI at Cape Town, which should lead to a full game.
Cloud and overcast conditions are predicted for the second match in Durban, with rain even anticipated in the early evening.
For the concluding match of the series in Johannesburg rain and wet weather is expected for much of the match which could lead to a disrupted game.
Sky Sports will continue its coverage of the tour by showing all three ODIs via Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401, Virgin 501) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504).
Likewise, SuperSport will also be showing the matches in South Africa.
In India, the three-match series is accessible on the Sony Ten network. In Australia, tune in to Fox Sports for live coverage.
For those without access to Sky Sports in the UK, live commentary will be available via Talksport 2.
Dafabet have England as 1/2 favourites, with hosts South Africa available at 6/4.
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