Will England be exceptional or on eggshells in South Africa?

England will play three Tests, nine ODIs and eight T20Is against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia in the 166 days from Tuesday until December 26, when they start a Test series against South Africa at the Wanderers.

That's time and opportunity enough to sort themselves out. For a new Test captain and coach to bed in and pretend they never heard of Bazball. For Brendon McCullum to get used to seeing only white balls.

Unless those matches don't go well enough. Given chronic over-thinkers, a press that analyses everything in withering detail, and a public addicted to exceptionalism, the English could still be on eggshells when they arrive in South Africa.

At least, South Africans will hope so. England have won the last four Test series between the teams. Graeme Smith's side were the last to earn victory, in England in July 2012.

Will England's navel-gazing help South Africa pull one back? It hasn't for 14 years. But that doesn't mean it won't be a factor.

"Everybody here still thinks of cricket as an English-originated sport," Andrew Hall told Cricbuzz. "They think England are the pinnacle. But players think financially now rather than playing cricket because they love it and want to represent their country.

"The pinnacle is no longer representing your country. It's getting picked up by an IPL team. Because they own teams in South Africa, West Indies, UAE, USA. And they've bought into The Hundred.

"Players have changed their thinking about what's the pinnacle."

Johannesburg-born Hall featured in 21 Tests, 88 ODIs and two T20Is for South Africa. He also played 325 matches for Northamptonshire, Kent and Worcestershire. He moved to England in 2010, and is head of cricket at Milton Keynes Preparatory School.

So, will England, who have won only two of their last nine Tests and one of their last five series, pull themselves together?

"I think so. They've got a strong group of players. But they've got caught between plans. They feel they need to play this entertaining brand of cricket but know they have to do well. They're trying to be innovative and leaders. And it worked for a period."

Until it didn't. Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket during the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand last month was one consequence. On Sunday, McCullum was sacked as Test coach.

"It's been a long time coming," Hall said. "They haven't had the results they thought they should have. From the start, there's been scepticism about the style of cricket. In the beginning it worked. But they've reached a point where they either have to look at the plan or at the players."

Hall has empathy for the load England captains carry, from an interaction with Eoin Morgan at Lord's.

"He was coming to sign stuff. In two hours he was on the phone for about an hour and 45 minutes; talking to selectors, players, the media. There is so much pressure on England captains, which gets worse when the team haven't performed."

Who will captain England's Test team in South Africa has yet to be decided. Along with who the coach will be. But whoever they are, they will be considered exceptional. Whether it's true matters little. That's the English way.