England's batsmen hitting the heights

That is six more centuries than England managed from 13 Tests - including four games against world weak links Zimbabwe and Bangladesh - in 2003.

"Obviously they are confident now, and confidence is crucial," said South Africa captain Graeme Smith when asked about differences between the opponents he faces here and those he encountered in England little more than a year ago.

"These guys have walked a long and hard road together and now they are reaping the rewards."

Success, though, brings its own pressure.

Collectively, England need to keep raising the bar. Their win in Port Elizabeth, while looking convincing enough in the end, had to be achieved the hard way after the sort of middle order collapse that used to be all too common.

Individually, the batsmen know they need to keep making those hundreds because there is real competition breathing down their necks.

Key, who is waiting in the wings on this trip, Ian Bell - who scored a fine 70 on debut at Lord's four months ago - and the newly qualified Kevin Pietersen are ready and eager.

No wonder, then, that Butcher admitted to being "more nervous than for a long time" when he went out to bat in the first innings at Port Elizabeth.

Twelve months ago, Butcher was close to being England's batsman of the year, having made hundreds in 2003 against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Now he is the one member of the top six still searching for three figures in 2004.

The Boxing Day Test at Kingsmead offers Butcher his last chance to finish with a flourish and, despite the importance of the Surrey left-hander's 79 in Port Elizabeth, he will be desperate to take it. Jones, too, could do with a decent score.

He replaced Chris Read behind the stumps earlier this year because of his batting potential, rather than the smoothness of his glovework, and quickly justified that decision by featuring in two century partnerships against New Zealand and another against the West Indies.

Even better, his individual hundred, taken off the Kiwis at Headingley, suggested England might have found their version of Aussie Adam Gilchrist.

In his last six Test innings, though, Jones has totalled a disappointed 118 runs.