Tim O'Brien captained England in the first Test, although Hawke was playing, and Hawke was captain in the second and third Tests. The South African teams were captained by Ernest Halliwell (first two Tests) and Alfred Richards (third Test). Hawke's team was not a full-strength England team, but it did include four of the best players of the time in Tom Hayward, C. B. Fry, George Lohmann and Sammy Woods.
Tim O'Brien commanded England in the inaugural Test, despite Hawke being present, and Hawke was in charge in the second and third Tests. The South African teams were led by Ernest Halliwell (first two Tests) and Alfred Richards (third Test). Hawke's team did not comprise a full-strength England squad, but it featured four of the most skilled players of that era in Tom Hayward, C. B. Fry, George Lohmann, and Sammy Woods.