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?
A comparatively easy schedule: South Africa, who finished fifth and third in the previous two WTC cycles, found a relatively easy schedule for the current cycle. They had three Asian teams for a two-game home series – India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Out of them, India and Pakistan have never beaten them at home, while Sri Lanka’s current form made their Test series win in South Africa in 2018-19 look long buried in the past. The Proteas’ away series were in the West Indies, New Zealand and Bangladesh, all of which again were relatively easier opponents.
India’s shocking loss against New Zealand at home: India’s 0-3 defeat against New Zealand at home, something which even the greatest cricketing analyst would not have predicted, turned the entire calculations in this WTC upside down. After hammering Bangladesh 2-0, India looked favourites to beat the Kiwis but their batters’ helpless surrender against the visiting team’s spinners gave both South Africa and Australia big openings. India currently have a herculean task to register a comprehensive win over Australia Down Under to get back into the top two or the Proteas play the final at their expense — the second scenario looking more believable at the moment.
Team effort: While an easier schedule and India’s defeat against New Zealand did help South Africa in the 2023-24 WTC cycle, they still had to win their games. After winning just two Tests and drawing one in their first six matches, South Africa turned things around with four consecutive wins – two each against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A loss against India, a draw against the West Indies, and sending a second-string side to New Zealand because of SA20 compulsions only to get thrashed did not produce the desired results for them, yet they did not lose the self-belief and won games under different captains.
Their regular Test captain, Temba Bavuma, missed matches against India and Bangladesh, but Aiden Markram ensured that the team won two crucial matches against Bangladesh. When he returned, Bavuma led from the front with his bat with a century and three half-centuries to give South Africa two comprehensive wins over Sri Lanka.
South Africa investing in youngsters and future: Under head coach Conrad who has in the past managed South Africa’s Under-19 team, the Proteas have certainly made progress, especially in their batting approach. After several big names in their ranks bid adieu to the game, South Africa needed to overcome the transition fast, and they have done it wonderfully well. While their decision to send an inexperienced team to New Zealand to play Tests faced a backlash, it certainly gave their fresh lot much-needed exposure at the highest level. David Bedingham is one such name who, after hitting a century in that tour, is slowly emerging into a middle-order mainstay in the national team.
The likes of Tony de Zorzi, Pieter Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, and Tristan Stubbs, who has been backed by the coach, have chipped in with handy runs, sometimes even hundreds, whenever the team has required. While Bangladesh might not be among the most powerful opponents, they are certainly a tough team to beat at home and South Africa’s fearless and dominating game proved that they do not play with a defensive mindset anymore. That has played a key role in their superlative comeback into the WTC race for the final.
Rabada & Maharaj: Two players who have made some serious contributions to South Africa’s successful run in the WTC of late are pacer Kagiso Rabada and spinner Keshav Maharaj. They have been two of their side’s best performers who have done consistently well to propel their team to the top position despite playing fewer games. Rabada has 39 scalps in just eight matches this WTC cycle at an impressive average of 17.07 and with three five-wicket hauls.
His exploits have been like: India (11 scalps), West Indies (8 scalps), Bangladesh (14 scalps), and Sri Lanka (6 scalps). Maharaj, on the other hand, has picked 35 wickets in seven outings at an average of 19.20 and two five- and four-wicket hauls. His wickets in this cycle include West Indies (13), Bangladesh (13), and Sri Lanka (9). The consistency of their two premium bowlers with contrasting styles has paid off for South Africa. Rabada was selected as the player of the series in Bangladesh, while Maharaj clinched the honour in the West Indies, showing how well South Africa’s bowling has served them overseas.
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