England will have a much clearer idea of how their new one-day team is shaping up after this triangular series in which every team plays the other three times.
In fact, it's a chance for each team to assess its development since all three have altered dramatically since the World Cup.
South Africa are rebuilding after their humiliating early exit from the tournament which was a result, more than anything, of failing to understand the Duckworth Lewis sheet.
As a consequence, there was a dramatic clearout which divided the country.
Gone are one-day cricketing greats like Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener - Bob Woolmer had plenty to say about his omission.
A new generation is led by a 22-year-old captain, Graeme Smith.
It is possible that inexperience has led to his somewhat abrasive comments in the newspapers these past few days, but a great deal of expectation has been placed on his young shoulders.
We must not forget, though, that with Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini there's still enough depth to make South Africa narrow favourites ahead of England.
That is despite England's great win over Pakistan in the preceding tournament because there is still a question mark about the home team's middle order.
Unfortunately Jim Troughton simply has not got going yet. His fielding has been breathtaking - and that's important - but he badly needs to make a score to remind people of what a fine one-day batsman he is.
It is an awkward problem for the selectors to address in that Robert Key, who has barely held a bat since his brief innings in the second Test at Chester-le-Street, deserves his chance.
It is difficult to escape the fact, though, that both players are probably keeping the position warm for Graham Thorpe.
Zimbabwe have an altogether different challenge. It's worth remembering that, of these three teams, they were the only ones to progress to the Super Six stage of the World Cup.
But we all know what a farce that was, underlined by the fact that their major task is to prove they are not here simply to make up the numbers.
MMIX
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