South Africa stands on the brink of a remarkable milestone, needing just 69 more runs for victory at Lord’s. Yet, the team’s history with high-pressure finishes looms large, keeping nerves taut until the very end.
Dale Steyn, a former South African pace legend, predicts Australia won’t concede easily in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. South Africa’s relationship with crunch moments in sport is famously treacherous. This sentiment was palpable when, under the guidance of their composed head coach Shukri Conrad, they found themselves struggling at 19 for 3 against Pakistan last December, chasing 148.
Conrad’s candid question to his team, “Do you want to be remembered as chokers?” spurred them into action. Through grit and determination, the side battled their way to a nail-biting two-wicket win, a moment Conrad humorously dubbed a “Camel classic,” hinting at the calming smoke break shared with some players.
While the victory against Pakistan was noteworthy, today’s potential achievement holds even greater significance. Following a stellar day of batting at Lord’s, South Africa is tantalisingly close to a momentous accomplishment. However, they remain wary of the final hurdle, mindful of how quickly things can unravel.
Ashwell Prince, South Africa’s batting coach, spoke highly of Temba Bavuma’s courageous innings of 65 not out, played predominantly on one leg. However, he hesitated to fully praise his captain’s efforts until the match is concluded. “Maybe I should answer that question after the game,” Prince remarked, underscoring the team’s cautious optimism.
As South Africa’s moment of truth approaches, especially against an Australian team renowned for their resilience and formidable record in world finals, there’s no room for presumptions. Prince emphasised the team’s mindset: “Make them believe that they can do it, and then just step out the way and allow them to go and do it.”
Prince elaborated on their strategy going into the crucial final phase: “One of the things we said before the run-chase is: ‘the game will finish when it finishes,'” highlighting the importance of staying present and focused on each delivery.
The composure in the South African camp is largely credited to Conrad’s laid-back but firm approach. “Shukri must get a lot of credit for that,” Prince noted. “As soon as Aiden and Temba came up the stairs, the first thing he said was, ‘guys, do the same as you do every night’. Don’t change a thing. Tomorrow morning, come and do the same warm-ups that you do every day.”
With the prospect of history so close, South Africa is adopting a calm and steady approach. Their next phase at Lord’s could seal a transformative chapter in their cricketing history, one ball at a time.
