Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test of the ICC World Test Championship in Durban, and head coach Shukri Conrad now wants to improve his side without overhauling an approach that has worked well for the Proteas.
“We obviously need to look at how can we improve the side without being knee-jerk in our reactions,” Conrad said ahead of the second Test, which begins on 18 October in Gqeberha.
A Difficult Start in Durban
South Africa were without pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi for the first Test, but they still fielded an experienced lineup. After bowling first, the hosts made early inroads into the Australian batting.
Australia recovered through a brilliant 190 from Matt Renshaw, which carried them from 230/8 to a strong first-innings total of 390. In the next innings, several South African batters got starts, but none crossed fifty. That left Australia with a crucial 106-run lead. Australia then pressed their advantage with clinical batting in the third innings, and a stellar six-wicket spell from Josh Hazlewood sealed an emphatic win.
Australia were excellent throughout, with sensational catching in the field and accurate bowling to support their resilient batting. South Africa, however, faltered at times and threw away wickets at crucial moments. Conrad wants to fix that, and he indicated that a few changes to the lineup could help.
Lessons From Lord’s
Conrad pointed to the Proteas’ World Test Championship title win at Lord’s in June 2025 as proof of what this group can do. South Africa overcame a first-innings deficit of 74 runs to turn the screws on Australia, refusing to give up and continuing to press their opponents.
“It doesn’t mean you now have to go soul-searching or questioning all the things we have done really well and are doing really well. We just need to get bloody better,” Conrad said, suggesting the hosts were open to change.
Squad Decisions Ahead of Gqeberha
South Africa have named their squad for the second Test, with Matthew Breetzke replacing Tristan Stubbs. The squad also includes several bowling options in Rabada, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson.
“Will there be changes? We have guys in our squad who deserve a crack. So safe to say that might be an option,” Conrad said.
Rabada could be one of those changes. He is working his way back from a right hamstring injury sustained during South Africa’s winter training programme.
“Hopefully, Rabada’s Rolls Royce will be purring down the highway again,” Conrad said.
Batting Application Under the Microscope
Conrad also expects more from his batters. He categorized dismissals into three groups: technical, tactical and mental.
“And if we’re brutally honest, a lot of our dismissals sat in the mental. Is that an easier fix than technical and tactical? Probably not.
“We haven’t played in a while, you come up against arguably the best attack in the world on a really good wicket, and they challenge you in so many respects.
“Every time we felt we were just getting ourselves out of the woods, we would let them back in.”
Series Schedule
First Test: October 9-13, Durban (Australia won by 214 runs)
Second Test: Begins 18 October, Gqeberha