South Africa have claimed the World Test Championship title, an achievement that coach Shukri Conrad believes will ignite a love for Test and first-class cricket across the nation.
For Conrad, this win holds personal significance. Neither he nor his father, Sedick, who played in the Apartheid era and could not represent South Africa, had this opportunity. Sedick passed away just three months before the final kicked off. “With two runs to go, I remember the old man saying to me, ‘I just want to see you beat Australia one day’,” said Conrad, visibly moved, during the post-match press conference.
Keshav Maharaj, renowned for his reserved on-field demeanour, also broke down in tears — a moment captured by broadcasters. His father, Athmanand, was similarly denied representation opportunities. This emotional victory unleashed a stream of emotions after ten tense sessions.
“It was probably the two worst hours of cricket for me, but the two best at the same time,” Conrad reflected. “When Kyle Verreynne hit that winning shot, it was applause and relief all around. I’m overjoyed for these guys.”
Conrad’s coaching style reflects his deep-rooted connection with South African cricket, having previously mentored provincial teams and national sides. His selections have sometimes raised eyebrows, like recalling Aiden Markram, appointing Temba Bavuma as captain, and choosing Lungi Ngidi for the final after a long hiatus. Yet, these decisions have undeniably paid dividends. “This isn’t me trying to justify my selections. It’s about every player wanting to contribute, and they did,” Conrad enthused.
His words carry weight: “We’re the world champions. We create our own reality. People doubted us for not competing with the so-called ‘big three’. We’ve beaten one now. It’s not arrogance; it’s belief that we will perform at the highest level.”
Temba Bavuma, the captain, echoed this sentiment: “We’ve wiped all doubts with the way that we’ve played. Every player played his part. We’re world champions now, and this is just the beginning.”
South Africa’s triumph sends a strong message in the world cricket arena, challenging preconceptions and setting new standards for future contests.
