AB De Villiers has promised to infuse the South African cricket team with energy, creativity and passion as he takes over the reins for the first time.
Since being named Proteas captain in limited overs cricket in June, De Villiers has not actually had the opportunity to lead.
His first assignment will be the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which starts with a day-night game in Paarl today.
Two former captains, Graeme Smith and Johan Botha, will be part of De Villiers's side. He hopes to be able to draw on their experience but also wants the freedom to develop his own style.
"I am younger and less experienced, so you can expect a few more mistakes," De Villiers said. "I won't be scared to try out new things and add a bit of flair. I know he [Smith] will be at my shoulder, but he has told me that he will let me captain the team the way I want to."
AB's era began with a false dawn when De Villiers was ruled out of his first series in charge, against Australia, with a hand injury. Hashim Amla stood in for De Villiers in the series, which South Africa lost 2-1.
De Villiers said his time on the sidelines had given him time to see the game from a different angle.
"I was disappointed to have missed out but I got to see strategies from the side of the field and learn from that," he said.
One of the areas De Villiers wants the team to work on is the ability to recognise turning points and seize the advantage.
"We missed a trick here and there," he said.
For De Villiers, flexibility will be key to solving these issues.
De Villiers is likely to bat in his usual No4 position but is prepared to bat anywhere, depending on the situation.
He also confirmed that he will keep wicket permanently.
"It's not a short-term thing," he said. "It's something we will stick to for a while and it opens up a spot or two in the team."
South Africa's starting XI has not yet been confirmed, but De Villiers hinted that there would be room for experimentation.
He hinted that recalled Albie Morkel and both frontline spinners, Johan Botha and Robin Peterson, would play on a dry, flat Boland Park pitch, meaning Wayne Parnell and local man Rory Kleinveldt would miss out.
South Africa (from): AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Sri Lanka (from): Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Matthews, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Kosala Kulasekara, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Dhammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne
Start: 2pm
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 