Proteas plot more domination after World Test Championship triumph

On the back of their historic World Test Championship (WTC) final success over Australia, the Proteas believe that this is just the beginning. The South Africans returned home from England on Wednesday, 18 June after their five-wicket victory over old foes Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground. 

After a rousing welcome from hundreds of supporters gathered at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, the team headed to the Cricket South Africa headquarters for their homecoming press conference.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie was in attendance, as was Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

Onwards and upwards 

At this engagement with journalists, both the team’s leaders, coach Shukri Conrad and undefeated captain Temba Bavuma, told the packed room of their mutual belief that South Africa was perfectly placed to not only challenge for major trophies, but actually win them.

“From a team perspective, we’d like to be the start of a team that will encourage future Proteas teams to win trophies. That’s what connects us. We hope that will be the start of us winning a lot more trophies. As much as we’ve achieved in the last 24 months, it’s not a big legacy as yet. Let’s speak again in two or three years’ time,” Bavuma told journalists. 

“We want to carry on with the momentum that we have gained. We’re quite optimistic and we see no reason why we can’t emulate what we’ve done in Tests within the white ball space. Especially because the majority of the guys in the Test team you’ll also see in the white ball team,” the Proteas captain said.

Including himself, the likes of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, all-rounder Marco Jansen and batter Aiden Markram also regularly represent South Africa across formats. Now this core group has been joined by coach Conrad.

Coaching synergy 

First appointed as South African coach at the beginning of 2023, Conrad has revitalised the Proteas in Tests. In May this year, he was installed as the team’s coach in all three international formats. Before that, he shared the responsibility of Proteas coach with Rob Walter.

The latter was charged with overseeing both limited-overs sides until his sudden resignation in April. Walter has since been appointed as head coach of the New Zealand team. His family also lives in that country.

After Walter’s departure, whose highlight was leading South Africa to a maiden World Cup final at the 2024 T20 showpiece (before defeat to India), there is even more synergy within the Proteas team with players all listening to the same voice, regardless of the format.

Conrad believes that, spurred on by the historic WTC success, South Africa can once again become a significant force in international cricket, with trophies to show for it.        

“This is not me being arrogant. But we have not played as best as we can yet… We can name all the guys that performed in the Test final [such as Rabada and Markram]. But there’s so much potential sitting in this changeroom. It scares me and excites me at the same time. I look forward to seeing where we can go with this group,” Conrad said.

Minister McKenzie’s promise

The coach’s sentiments were backed up by McKenzie, who said he was excited about seeing what the future held for South African cricket – especially considering that the next one-day international World Cup was set to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.

“This win goes far beyond the field. It says that we can do things right in South Africa. We can come back from whatever they label us – chokers and all the other funny names we’ve been called… Trust me when I tell you that this is just the beginning of this team’s greatness,” McKenzie said.

He revealed that the Proteas had been invited to dine with President Cyril Ramaphosa, where he hoped the government would show its appreciation for the team with a financial reward.

“The way we win as South Africans, if we were to give everybody bonuses, the country would be bankrupt… But we owe this team a great debt of gratitude and we have to do something for them as government. They are going to the big boss and they will not leave empty-handed if I can have my way,” said McKenzie.

Conrad believes South Africa belongs at the pinnacle of global cricket after all the history it has contributed to the game. He has made it his mission to erase all the heartache that has been associated with the Proteas.

Before the home spectacle in two years, the South Africans have an opportunity to showcase their growth and hunger for success at the 2026 T20 World Cup which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. DM