On his return to South Africa injured Proteas skipper Greame Smith gave a frank assessment of his side's dismal one-day performance after the highs of the victorious Test series.

As his side prepared to face an English barrage in Cardiff, Smith arrived home after an elbow injury ended his participation in the tour.

Whilst obviously disappointed with the Proteas performance in the one-day arena the skipper refused to dwell on the negatives, preferring to focus on what could be learnt from the series defeat.

"I feel we've lost some of our sting since the Test series," he told reporters.

"In that ten-day break [between the Tests and ODI's] we were almost like a hot air balloon that popped after achieving our goal of wining the Test series. We just haven't really seemed to be able to find that momentum or that style of play that we've had during the season.

"But if anything it's opened our eyes to a few things we need to work on. We've lost some major elements of our ODI set-up.

"Replacing a guy like Shaun [Pollock] who provided so much control in our one-day [game] was never going to happen quickly. His all-round abilities meant so much: his tight bowling, lengthening our batting, finishing off games.

"Some of the young guys in the one-day set-up are struggling with form; it's created a bit of pressure on the team.

"We've had a few guys who have retired and perhaps a few guys who have lost a bit of form, and as I say pressure shifts on to different parts of the team."

There are clearly places up for grabs in the South African one-day squad, and Smith was quick to point out that it's up to domestic players to step up to the plate and earn selection.

"I would like to see us giving guys an opportunity in the next year or so. I think we really need to take a look and develop the next guys and give them enough opportunities to create that squad of 20, 22, so that if you do have injuries guys can come in and you don't have this huge gap between the 15 that are there and the next six or seven guys.

"There are opportunities for everyone at domestic level who performs well. There are players' names who have been bandied about already who are playing overseas, but i think the opportunity is there for everybody to stake a claim for a place in the one-day side.

"I think its up to the leadership firstly to identify a style of play and how we want to take it, like we did with the Test side where we went for a more aggressive bowling attack and we went with six batters. It's up to us to come up with that train of thought before 2011 and really stick with it and run with it."

South Africa's much-lauded bowling attack failed to produce the lofty standards to which coach Mickey Arthur had built them up prior to the start of the England tour, but Smith is not overly concerned.

"We probably haven't bowled that well throughout the tour of England. I think our batting was really top class.

"As excited as we are about our bowling attack they have a lot of growing up to do in many ways."

One point that certainly is a cause for concern is the lack of an obvious stand-in captain in Smith's absence, a role currently being filled by Jacques Kallis.

"I think Jacques has stepped in at a difficult time for him.

"The job, especially overseas with the media scrutiny, is a high pressure one and we didn't really want to thrust it onto a young guy.

"It is something that bothers me in terms of who is going to be the next guy. There are a couple of guys around there who have a future and could be in leadership roles going forward, but not having a vice-captain in the one-day side is not a good thing."

It's a dilemma that will need to be promptly addressed as Smith faces a period on the sidelines as a result of an injured elbow.

"I've taken injections into the tendon. I'm seeing a surgeon next week and we will take it from there.

"There is a lot of time before the next event and I don't think I will come back till I'm 100% ready. I don't want be like Jacques who kept on coming back too early and ended up having to take a lengthy break out.

"It's about feeling ready and being ready for it, and I will make that decision."

With a tour to the old enemy Australia coming up at the end of the year, Smith is confident that both he and his charges will be ready.

"I've pushed along and I probably pushed myself for too long if I'm honest with myself.

"We haven't stopped since the Twenty20 World Cup and I think it just takes its toll on your body. Emotionally and mentally the guys are feeling it at the moment.

"This period of time must be used properly in terms of training, getting our bodies back to the point where they need to be and we come back and start next season stronger, fitter and healthier than we finished this one.

"The Australian tour is something that we've all worked for and want to be ready for and something we are excited about. I think our results this year have given us confidence and we are looking forward to the tour."

Julia Harris at Newlands