Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the opening ICC World Test Championship contest in Durban, and South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad wants to improve his side without making wholesale changes to an approach that has worked well for the team.
“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 against Australia, which begins on 18 October in Gqeberha.
A Strong Start Fades
South Africa were without pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi in the first Test, but they still had plenty of experience in their lineup. After they chose to bowl first in Durban, South Africa made early inroads into the Australian batting.
However, a brilliant 190 from Matt Renshaw lifted Australia from 230/8 to a strong total of 390 in the first innings. In the following innings, none of South Africa’s batters passed fifty despite several starts, which handed Australia a crucial 106-run lead. Australia then pressed their advantage with clinical batting in the third innings before a stellar spell from Josh Hazlewood, who took six wickets, sealed an emphatic win.
Areas for Improvement
Australia were outstanding, producing sensational catches 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 see improvement in that area, possibly with some changes to the lineup.
“We obviously need to look at how can we improve the side without being knee-jerk in our reactions. We need to show composure,” Conrad added. “But the question is always, ‘will it make the boat go faster if we make changes, or will it slow the boat down?’, and we are constantly looking at how we make the boat go faster.”
The Proteas have shown this kind of resilience before. They overcame a first-innings deficit to win the World Test Championship title at Lord’s in June 2025, turning the screws on Australia in the process. South Africa trailed by 74 runs after the first innings at Lord’s but kept coming at 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, while suggesting that the hosts were open to change.
Squad Decisions Ahead of Gqeberha
South Africa have named their squad for the second Test on 15 October, 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 is one player who could return. 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 added.
Batting Application Under Scrutiny
Conrad also expects better application from his batters. He explained that batting dismissals fall into three categories: technical, tactical or 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: 9-13 October, Durban (Australia won by 214 runs)