Conrad and Bavuma rebuilt the Proteas' fighting spirit

THE Proteas Test team have a song that they sing when coming together for a picture at the end of a big win or a triumphant series.

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PROTEAS captain Temba Bavuma embraced coach Shukri Conrad after their historic Test win over India at Eden Gardens at the weekend.

(AFP)

"We make you look good, we make you look good! Shukri Conrad, we make you look good!" has rung out on the field with plenty of spontaneous laughter over the last couple of years. It is clearly an inside joke, with the players having a bit of fun at their coach's expense.

The song, however, is draped in sarcasm, with the players actually celebrating Conrad's contribution to their performances, especially during the last World Test Championship cycle, when the Proteas managed to win seven Test matches in a row before beating Australia in the final at Lord's in June this year.

Conrad, together with captain fantastic Temba Bavuma, have transformed the Proteas Test side into a top outfit, following up that win over Australia in the WTC final with a rare Test victory in Pakistan and a first red-ball win on Indian soil in 15 years.