Donald wants South Africa to topple England

Allan Donald, South Africa's new bowling coach, is looking forward to the challenge of playing England in 2012 and thinks South Africa have a chance of knocking the new No. 1 Test side off their perch.

"The series in England is going to be a huge one for us," Donald said. "We always weigh ourselves against England and Australia and next year's series is going to have more on it with England going No. 1 in the rankings."

England became the top Test team on the back of three straight victories over India, the former No. 1 side, and have a chance to make it 4-0 if they win the fourth Test at The Oval, which starts on Thursday. Should they win that game, India will fall to third, with South Africa moving up to second.

England will get a break from Test cricket following the series against India, while South Africa will kick off their season with home series against Australia and Sri Lanka from October through January. Mathematically, they can overtake England if they beat Australia 2-0 and Sri Lanka 3-0.

"Having got to number one in the world England's next challenge is to stay there but it also means that they are there to be toppled," Donald said. "For other sides it means that when you get a sniff of beating England you have to grasp it. Neither side will hold back or take a backwards step so it promises to be a fantastic series. England at home will have a lot to prove and we have a fantastic record in England."

South Africa last toured England in 2008 and won the series 2-1, with victories in the second and third Tests. England won the fourth and final game.

Donald credited England's bowling attack for much of their success. "They have such a well-balanced attack. [Stuart] Broad, [James] Anderson, [Tim] Bresnan and [Chris] Tremlett - these guys are making a serious impact. But England also have depth to their resources. Steven Finn can't get in the side at the moment and Graham Onions hasn't played yet.

"When you've got bowlers like that with Test experience in your second- string attack, it's not such a big step up for them to make if they are called up to replace the first-choice players."

England aside, Donald's immediate focus is helping South Africa get ready for Australia's visit later this year and he expects their spearhead Dale Steyn to be fully fit by then. "Our next series is against Australia in October so this break ought to benefit us and it really could not have come at a better time for us. Dale's elbow injury is also coming along well and he will start to bowl this week. So come October, he should be fully fit again."