Proteas coach Shukri Conrad feels that that there is more that the Test team have to offer, despite despite their brilliant performance at Lord’s last week to clinch the World Test Championship crown.
South Africa beat Australia by five wickets, a team currently ranked No 1 in the world in the ICC rankings.
Fans flocked to OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday to welcome the Proteas Test team after a successful trip to the United Kingdom, where they broke the country’s 27-year trophy drought.
However, upon the Test team’s arrival in Johannesburg on Wednesday from London, Conrad reiterated his belief that the world is yet to see the full potential of his team.
“We won comfortably in the end, and I still don’t think we played as well as we can play. I mean, Aiden’s (Markram) probably played his best Test knock. I don’t think South Africa’s seen a better Test innings. KG (Ngidi), Lungi (Ngidi), all of these,” Conrad said.
“I can name the guys that have performed in this Test match, but there’s so much else sitting in this change-room that scares me.
“It excites me at the same time as to where we can go with this group.
“I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years.”
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One of the key elements of this Test team that has played a key role in the side bringing the ICC mace back home is the trust that they have in each other.
From the coach Conrad to the captain Temba Bavuma and the rest of the team, there is belief and backing that every individual is capable of getting the job done when called upon.
Conrad highlighted that not a lot was said when SA were bowled out for 138 in the first innings or in any instance where the team had their backs against the wall, which could be attributed to the responsibility placed in every individual in the team.
Moreover, just as at Lord’s last week, different players stood out and made significant contributions throughout the two-year cycle leading up to the final.
A triumphant reception awaited the Proteas at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where crowds gathered to give the national team a hero’s welcome after they were victorious at the World Test Championship.
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“I think we knew we were behind, but again, the hallmark of this team is the ability to stand up, and different guys can stand up when the occasion demands,” the SA coach said.
“When you need your Rolls-Royce to come purring down the street, then he does that, and I’m talking about Kagiso Rabada. There was no talk.
“But even before then, a nine-over spell, I’ve never seen Lungi bowl as much as that in his life.
“But that spell of Lungi (where he took 3/35, including the big scalp of Steve Smith) pretty much turned over the Test match in our favour.
“The world’s best batsman (Smith), he stood between us chasing 280 and maybe 380, and Lungi’s spell, again, on the back of criticism and all of these things…
“Our guys just know when to stand up, and this is the hallmark of this team. Different guys do it when it is required of everybody.”
Although some of the stalwarts such as Rabada will be rested, the Proteas are back in action soon in a two-Test away series in Zimbabwe.
The first clash starts on June 28 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
