Defining characteristics of the South African mantis include:
Wings that extend over much or all of their abdomen in adults
The pronotum is long and narrow (narrower than the head), often with a hint of red as you move back from the head. (Pronotum is the long, shield-like covering behind the head in the "neck"/upper thorax region)
The coxa on the inside of the front leg has 4-6 dark spots on both nymphs and adults. (Coxa is the leg segment closest to the body.)
The femora on the middle and hind legs is often reddish-brown, especially in the nymphs. (Femora is the second leg segment down from the body)