AB comes to terms with keeping role
AB de Villiers is more confident in his role as a wicketkeeper/batsman for the Proteas test line-up, nearly six months since taking over the position from Mark Boucher.
De Villiers said on Sunday it had been difficult to adjust to the sudden change in his role, but he was happy as long as he was contributing to team success.
"It took me a while but I'm into a nice rhythm," De Villiers said. "I had to adapt to a few things but I feel that I understand what my role is and I make time for both keeping and batting. It is definitely possible to do both. I don't feel tired after a day's play and I don't feel tired after a test match. For me it's more mental than anything else."
De Villiers withdrew from the KFC T20 International Series for extra rest, and says the down time left him mentally and physically refreshed.
"It's all about managing your energy levels and niggles, ultimately about keeping the passion and hunger to do well for your team," the Proteas' vice-captain said.
"We play a lot of cricket throughout the year and we are in a situation where we have to manage it (the workload).
"I feel refreshed and hungrier than ever and hopefully the results will show."
He broke his lean streak with the bat with an excellent century against Australia during the last test match in Perth, and hopes to continue with that form at Newlands - where the Proteas haven't lost a test since 2006 - during the first test against New Zealand, which starts on Wednesday.
