Proteas Coach Conrad Responds to Detractors of South Africa’s WTC25 Final Qualification

Cape Town, Jan 3 (NationPress) South Africa has made history as the first team to clinch a spot in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 after triumphing in the initial Test against Pakistan. This milestone has not come without its detractors, as several questions have emerged regarding their journey to this final. Critics noted that South Africa played the fewest matches among all teams in the tournament (12) and had not competed against heavyweight sides like Australia and England during this cycle.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, speaking on Fox Cricket, asserted that South Africa's advancement to the final was achieved by “defeating essentially nobody.”

In response to such criticisms, South Africa's Test coach Shukri Conrad defended his team vigorously, stating that they were not responsible for setting the schedule. He firmly supported his players, rejecting any notion that their achievement was lessened.

“I will never apologize for reaching the final,” Conrad expressed to ESPNcricinfo at Newlands, just before the second Test against Pakistan. “This is the most significant accomplishment in this team’s history. It represents a monumental achievement for South African cricket and for Test cricket globally, where the right conversations will start to unfold.”

Conrad highlighted the teams South Africa had faced and conquered on their way to the final, praising his young squad for their resilience and cohesion in recent months, which have led to impressive performances.

South Africa's journey to Lord’s has been anything but simple. They began the year in a challenging position in the WTC25 standings, and injuries severely impacted their roster. After suffering a 2-0 defeat against New Zealand in early 2023, the Proteas found themselves in a series of must-win scenarios to remain competitive in the WTC.

They responded remarkably, achieving a 1-0 victory over the West Indies, a 2-0 win in Bangladesh, and a 2-0 triumph against Sri Lanka. Currently, they lead their ongoing home series against Pakistan 1-0.

During this time, they were without captain Temba Bavuma for the Bangladesh series and lost key players Gerald Coetzee and Wiaan Mulder to injuries during the Sri Lanka series.

“One of the teams we defeated has won a Test match in Australia—West Indies beat Australia in a Test match,” Conrad remarked. “They are not a nobody. New Zealand triumphed over India: three-zip in India. New Zealand is not just anyone. Sri Lanka has also won Test matches [against England and New Zealand]. I reject the idea that we have beaten nobody.”

“Ask any team to win six consecutive matches in places they haven't triumphed in a decade, with a young squad and a depleted bowling lineup, and when they accomplish that, then come back and tell me that we’ve beaten nobody.”

South Africa has one final Test in this cycle—the New Year’s Test against Pakistan in Cape Town, starting on January 3. Following this, the national team will shift its focus to the Champions Trophy and the ICC World Test Championship Final.