Led by captain Andrew Strauss, who held a farewell press conference at Heathrow airport yesterday, the team are currently setting up camp in the city, which will be their base for the four-Test and five-ODI tour.
Strauss led his side to victory against Australia in the Ashes series in the summer and despite a 6-1 reverse in the one-day series to the Aussies, England rebounded by beating the Proteas in their backyard on their way to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.
Nevertheless, the England skipper is under no illusions about the challenge ahead of his side.
'The tour is going to be tough, we know that,' said Strauss.
'South Africa aren't number one in the world for nothing - they have a good team, a settled team, and we are expecting a stern examination.'
Similarly fast bowler James Anderson says he is looking forward to testing himself against the best side in the world.
“It's up there with Australia in Australia as the toughest tour around,” Anderson told the ECB website.
'They're deservedly number one in the world and playing them in South Africa will be a huge test for us.
'They’re a very similar team to Australia; they've got a very strong captain in Graeme Smith and he brings the best out of his players.
“As we saw when they came over here last year, they’re a very strong side. They’re very difficult to beat and it’s going to be a hard challenge - much harder than this summer.”
The first competitive match of the series is a Twenty20 international at the Wanderers in Johannesburg before a second 20-over contest at Centurion.
The one-day series follows with matches in Jo'burg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban before the Test series begins at Centurion on December 16th and ends in mid-January back at the Wanderers.
Strauss led his side to victory against Australia in the Ashes series in the summer and despite a 6-1 reverse in the one-day series to the Aussies, England rebounded by beating the Proteas in their backyard on their way to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.
Nevertheless, the England skipper is under no illusions about the challenge ahead of his side.
'The tour is going to be tough, we know that,' said Strauss.
'South Africa aren't number one in the world for nothing - they have a good team, a settled team, and we are expecting a stern examination.'
Similarly fast bowler James Anderson says he is looking forward to testing himself against the best side in the world.
“It's up there with Australia in Australia as the toughest tour around,” Anderson told the ECB website.
'They're deservedly number one in the world and playing them in South Africa will be a huge test for us.
'They’re a very similar team to Australia; they've got a very strong captain in Graeme Smith and he brings the best out of his players.
“As we saw when they came over here last year, they’re a very strong side. They’re very difficult to beat and it’s going to be a hard challenge - much harder than this summer.”
The first competitive match of the series is a Twenty20 international at the Wanderers in Johannesburg before a second 20-over contest at Centurion.
The one-day series follows with matches in Jo'burg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban before the Test series begins at Centurion on December 16th and ends in mid-January back at the Wanderers.
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