FIVE REASONS BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF SOUTH AFRICA IN THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, however, remained optimistic. After his team defeated the Caribbeans by 40 runs in the second Test in Providence to take the series 1-0, he said his team still had some good opportunities to grow as a Test team, and enough wins in their kitty could see him making the final...

- SHIUBAM GHOSH

The 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) became interesting as it approached the business end, with South Africa coming out of nowhere to reach the top of the points table, needing just one win against Pakistan in their upcoming three-game series to seal a berth. It was only a few months ago that the Proteas found themselves at No.5 of the WTC points table with just two wins out of six matches. They were denied a win by rain against the bottom-placed West Indies at Port of Spain, resulting in frustration.

South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, however, remained optimistic. After his team defeated the Caribbeans by 40 runs in the second Test in Providence to take the series 1-0, he said his team still had some good opportunities to grow as a Test team, and enough wins in their kitty could see him making the final of the WTC. Fast forward to December, and the Proteas have benefited from their coach’s prescription. They had a cent percent win record in their next four outings, and it catapulted them ahead of two strong contenders – Australia and India – who played the final of the last WTC cycle in 2023.

In August, South Africa’s PCT (points percentage system) was 38.89, much behind India’s then PCT of 68.52 and Australia’s 62.50. Now, it has shot up to 63.30 against Australia’s 60.71 and India’s 57.29.

What made South Africa register such an incredible turnaround in the current WTC to reach the top two?