Hoggard predicts historic finale

Matthew Hoggard's latest column

Matthew Hoggard says England are aiming to make history by winning the Test series in South Africa.

England, who lead the series 2-1, could win a series there for the first time since 1949, before South Africa were excluded from the Test scene.

Hoggard told BBC Sport: "Australia are the only team to win a series here since South Africa's Test return.

"So there is a massive incentive for us to win the Test and create history. And we all believe we'll do it."

Michael Vaughan's side made history at the start of the series when they became the first English side to win eight consecutive Tests.

Fourth Test: Hero Hoggard crushes South Africa

And Hoggard, England's hero in the fourth Test with bowling figures of 12-205, added: "What we have done on this tour is right up there as a career highlight.

"It is over 40 years since England side have come here and won a series.

We won't go out to get draw - if you go in with that mindset, you will come unstuck Matthew Hoggard

"But we went to the West Indies and created history [becoming the first England side to win there since 1968], we created history at home throughout the summer and believe we'll create history again this time around."

A draw would be enough for England to seal victory over Graeme Smith's side. But Hoggard insisted the tourists would employ their usual postive style of play in a bid to win the final Test.

The 28-year-old said: "South Africa need to win obviously so we can't rest on our laurels. We need to produce the goods.

"Our only real danger is complacency - we must avoid thinking we're 2-1 up and can't lose the series.

"I'd be happy to draw the game as that would wrap up the series win, but we won't go out to get draw.

"If you go in with that mindset, you will come unstuck. We need one big push and hopefully we can do the business."

The fifth Test starts at 0830 GMT on Friday at Centurion Park.