South Africa could be forgiven for eying a little payback, as well as usurping England's world Test number one status, this summer.
England consolidated their 2009 Ashes victory with a hard-fought 1-1 series draw the last time they played South Africa in the following winter, but that tells only half the tale of a campaign in which both teams scored one landslide victory, but the hosts twice had England on the ropes only to fail to take the final wicket.
Yet Hashim Amla insists he and his team-mates do not begin this summer harking back to what happened two years ago, as he said: "I don't think any guys have really hung on to that. It was a very good series - 1-1 - and we were very close to winning those two other Test matches. But that's gone, man."
He added: "None of our guys are contemplating that we have to get one over on the English because of that 1-1 draw.
"That's two years ago. So much has changed in our team and England's."
Instead, Amla is merely relishing the contest ahead. South Africa had to work hard on Friday to bowl Kent out for 210, on the back of leg-spinner Imran Tahir's four for 31 and three for 39 from seamer Morne Morkel, before closing on 31 for one.
Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander also showed themselves in good physical shape, and can be expected to show the benefit of their preparations by the time a three-Test series begins at The Oval next week.
It is a contest Amla is very much looking forward to.
"Both teams are well-matched," he said. "I'm expecting it to be a good, very exciting series with a lot to play for from the rankings perspective.
"If we play our best cricket, the results will probably take care of themselves."
