Proteas in fix to replace 'famed' slip cordon with Kallis and Smith's retirement

South Africa Test team must reportedly face the reality of significantly remodeling their slip cordon for the first time in many years following the retirements of Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith from the Proteas squad.

The physically imposing pair has almost always occupied slots one (Smith) and two (Kallis) between them in the immensely important cordon for well over a decade, the report added.

According to News24, the slip duo have caught a mighty 369 pouches between them with Kallis, the only second non-wicketkeeper globally, having caught 200 or more catches in Test cricket at number two, 10 catches behind India's Rahul Dravid and Smith with 169 catches, which places him at the seventh position on the all-time list.

England captain Michael Vaughan, while giving fulsome tribute to Smith upon his retirement, has said that Smith and Kallis have been stuck in 'concrete' in the slips for so many years, intimidating a batsman and whoever ends up at their position will not have the same presence.

Alviro Petersen is reportedly the worthiest candidate amongst the remaining to assume seniority in the cordon and also AB de Villiers could be considered for slip duty, given his fast reflexes and athleticism.