After the first one-day series that I played in South Africa in 2004, it was just work and business whenever I came up against them.

The emotion was taken out of it a bit, and that certainly won't change in this series. I've had my time.

But it's going to be an interesting series, because the England Test side hasn't done as well as it should do. In New Zealand they fell considerably short.

But South Africa also have loads of issues at the moment: poor form, a new coach and a new director of cricket.

We'll see whether they can deal with what's been happening over the last few months and how it matches up to England.

Jimmy Anderson has proven success in South Africa

South Africa is not the best place to bat.

As a batsman, the wickets are not great at all. The pitches have deteriorated quite substantially over the last few years.

I worked on the South Africa v Pakistan series this time last year, and wickets were falling on regular occasions. The hundred scored by Faf Du Plessis in Cape Town in that series was one of the best I've seen because of how untidy the wicket was.

You have to have the mental fortitude to deal with the fact that some balls are going to bounce, some are going to go low, and understand that, if you play and miss, it is what it is.

I don't see there being much of a home advantage with England so strong in the bowling department.

Jimmy Anderson's return is crucial in that regard.

It'll be a big series for Jimmy because I know from my calf injuries that, once it starts to go, it keeps going. It's a ticking time bomb as to when it's going to tear again.

But it's good that he's back in the side, because his experience in the dressing room is something that all youngsters need.

He's been successful in South Africa, and he knows how to bowl in South Africa.

England have basically persevered with the same bowling attack, but Anderson can make sure that they improve on their efforts in New Zealand.

Pleased with the changes made in South African cricket

I wrote in November that I'd like to see some big personnel changes made in South Africa, so I'm pleased that they've decided to go that way.

New head coach Mark Boucher and director of cricket Graeme Smith are the right men for the job. They've picked people in positions where they have full credibility, who understand the game, and who can bring that passion and pride to South African cricket, which has been missing in the last few months.

The players should really want to impress these guys, and want to put on unbelievable performances.

It's a brilliant move.

The thing about South Africans, and we saw it in the Rugby World Cup final, is that when they're playing England they become different animals.

There's a fierce rivalry between the two countries, and they'll have a point to prove.

Excited to be commentating on the series

I'm flying out to Cape Town on Boxing Day to cover the second Test, before going onto cover the third and fourth Tests for talkSPORT and the world feed.

I absolutely love commentary. I love having that association with the game, and I've got the bug for it after doing some of the India v West Indies series recently.