Australian fast bowler Scott Boland is set to return to South Africa for the first time in 10 years, ahead of the upcoming Test series against the Proteas. His last appearance in the country came during a 2016 ODI series — a tour he says he has almost entirely forgotten, and one he is eager to leave behind as he steps into the assignment as one of Australia's premier red-ball bowlers.

A Tour He'd Rather Forget

Boland featured in three ODIs of Australia's five-match series in South Africa in 2016, a campaign the 2015 World Champions lost 0-5 to the Proteas. The touring side was notably depleted, missing Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, with Boland sharing attack duties alongside John Hastings, Chris Tremain, Joe Mennie, and Dan Worrall.

'I can't remember anything,' Boland said on Thursday. 'To be fair, I know on field we didn't go that well. We had a really inexperienced bowling attack. But apart from that, I can't remember anything. I don't remember where we were. I don't know if I've just binned that memory because it didn't go well. But I feel like ten years ago was a long time.'

A Bowler Transformed by Self-Knowledge

Now 37 years old, Boland insists his mechanics have not shifted dramatically — but his approach to preparation and body management has changed significantly. He credits improved self-awareness for his sustained success at the highest level of the game.

'I haven't changed too much in terms of what I do, in terms of how I bowl,' he said. 'But I think the biggest change is in preparing for games, knowing my body better, getting all those little things right.'

Boland reflected candidly on earlier career missteps: 'Ten years ago, I probably over-trained and would go into games, especially the back-end of series, fatigued. And I think now, obviously being a bit older, wanting my career to go for as long as I can, sort of prioritising the way I train, how I train, and sort of mapping it out a bit better, so I can get to the end of series and still have a little bit of energy in the tank.' He added, 'At 37, if I knew what I do now at 27, I probably would have performed better.'

How Boland Has Prepared for the Tour

Boland spent eight weeks preparing for the Bangladesh Tests earlier in the season but was ultimately not selected to play. He was then granted a two-week rest period before committing to a three-week bowling block for Victoria against New South Wales in a 50-over domestic fixture, prior to departing for South Africa.

'I was pretty keen to have two weeks of no bowling after that series,' he said. 'I felt like I was bowling really well in the nets and centre wickets up there. So when that opportunity passed, and I focused on what my re-load looked like, I was going to be bowling around 10 to 12 overs this time of the year before going on Sunday, so I think this game fit in really well.'

What to Expect from Boland in South Africa

Boland's Test record speaks for itself — his economy and wicket-taking ability in red-ball cricket have made him a reliable selection for Australia despite limited exposure to white-ball formats at international level. This tour gives him the chance to rewrite his South African chapter entirely, armed with a decade more experience and a far more disciplined training blueprint. All eyes will be on whether the measured, older Boland can translate his domestic form into a commanding Test showing against a formidable Proteas side on home soil.