Proteas' WTC ambitions hang on winning against the very best opposition

South Africa's task in India is their toughest in two years, but a victory is crucial for their hopes in the World Test Championship. By Keanan Hemmonsbey

- Keanan Hemmonsbey

South Africa will need to claim a few big scalps if their ambitions of defending their World Test Championship (WTC) title are to materialise.

It starts with their series against India — with the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata — after starting their campaign with a tied 1-1 series against Pakistan last month.

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad is not intimidated by the challenge. “We're quietly confident that we can make history of our own here in Eden Gardens and in [the other venues in] India,” he said.

The current WTC cycle presents several new challenges that the team’s previous successful one did not. Last time, the Proteas’ three away tours comprised travelling to New Zealand (a series they essentially waived), West Indies and Bangladesh.

Apart from sending a severely depleted side to New Zealand, series wins against West Indies and Bangladesh were expected from the Proteas.

Their home fixtures were against India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

South Africa tied their series 1-1 with India before whitewashing Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

All three subcontinent teams are much harder to play in the turning conditions of Asia than they are on the fast, bouncy wickets of South Africa. As the schedule would have it, South Africa’s away encounters in the continuing WTC cycle are against all three aforementioned subcontinent teams.

Their home fixtures aren't any easier either, as they welcome England (three matches), Australia (three matches) and Bangladesh (two matches) to South African shores next year.

Australia and England — with their proficiency on harder surfaces, which are ideal for fast bowling — are expected to provide South Africa with a significant challenge, particularly compared with their previous fixtures.