South Africa Cricket Sri Lanka
Jacques Rudolph, left, of South Africa takes a run as wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal, right of Sri Lanka reacts during their second five-day test mat...
Jacques Rudolph, left, of South Africa takes a run as wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal, right of Sri Lanka reacts during their second five-day test match in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo)
South Africa Cricket Sri Lanka
Umpire Steve Davis reverses a 'not out' decision and gives Jaques Kallis of South Africa out during a second five-day test match between South Africa...
Umpire Steve Davis reverses a 'not out' decision and gives Jaques Kallis of South Africa out during a second five-day test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo)
South Africa Cricket Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan players celebrate as Hashim Amla of South Africa, top right, walks off the field after being run out for 51 runs during their second five-...
Sri Lankan players celebrate as Hashim Amla of South Africa, top right, walks off the field after being run out for 51 runs during their second five-day test in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 (AP Photo)
South Africa Cricket Sri Lanka
Tillakaratne Dilshan, left, of Sri Lanka attempts to run out Ashwell Prince, right of South Africa during their second five-day test match in Durban,...
Tillakaratne Dilshan, left, of Sri Lanka attempts to run out Ashwell Prince, right of South Africa during their second five-day test match in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 (AP Photo)
South Africa Cricket Sri Lanka
South Africa's Imran Tahir, left, and umpire Steve Davis, second from left, watch Sri Lanka players celebrate winning their first test cricket match ...
South Africa's Imran Tahir, left, and umpire Steve Davis, second from left, watch Sri Lanka players celebrate winning their first test cricket match during their second five-day test in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo)
South Africa Cricket Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan players celebrate winning there first test in Sout Africa as Marchant de Lange, right of South Africa is bowled out by Rangana Herath, uns...
Sri Lankan players celebrate winning there first test in Sout Africa as Marchant de Lange, right of South Africa is bowled out by Rangana Herath, unseen of Sri Lanka during their second five-day test in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 (AP Photo/Str)
Just like the last time the teams played here, South Africa limped away from a traumatic cricket experience against Sri Lanka in Durban shaking its head and seriously pondering the future.
As the Proteas ended 2011 with a groundbreaking test defeat, there was a growing feeling that 2012 might bring major changes.
Will it be the last year for allrounder Jacques Kallis and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher? Will captain Graeme Smith step down? Has the time come for new coach Gary Kirsten to mold a new group?
Thursday's 208-run loss to Sri Lanka at Kingsmead was South Africa's first ever test defeat at home to the Sri Lankans.
In 2003, a disastrous World Cup exit at the same venue at the hands of the Sri Lankans forced out Shaun Pollock as captain and began a new era under the then 22-year-old Smith.
