South Africa’s red-ball coach Shukri Konrad is not looking too much at the team’s path to the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, but admitted their schedule has been relatively easy compared to other teams.
South Africa secured their place in the WTC final for the first time with a thrilling two-legged win over Pakistan in the first Test at Centurion on December 29, 2024. However, the structure of the WTC tournament in South Africa caught everyone’s attention after the WTC final. 2025.
South Africa coach Shukri Konrad is unfazed by criticism of the easy route to the 2025 World Trade Center final
With just 12 Test matches on the calendar, none of South Africa’s red-ball series has extended beyond two matches, which in many cases has helped them a lot in qualifying for the final of the 2025 WTC. The Proteas’ toughest challenge came against India at home and New Zealand. Zealand is far away, but they sailed this one without much trouble.
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But the remainder of their matches at the World Trade Center were against lower-ranked sides such as Bangladesh, West Indies and Pakistan, giving the South African cricket team an easier path to the finals. They even played their last Test series against Sri Lanka at home, sweeping them 2-0, boosting their chances of making the WTC finals ahead of the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.
Unlike other teams, South Africa has not faced top teams like Australia and England or any grueling tours of the Indian subcontinent, barring a short series in Bangladesh. After qualifying for the 2025 FIFA World Cup final, some feel South Africa’s path to the summit has lacked the level of challenge faced by other teams, but Shukri Konrad remains unfazed.
I will not apologize: my thanks, Conrad
The South Africa coach insisted they made the most of their chances, so there’s nothing better than an apology for taking advantage of a favorable schedule. Responding to the critics, Konrad insisted the Proteas deserved their place in the WTC final. The coach also said that sometimes being an underdog makes things easy.
“We are thrilled that we can be at Lourdes next year,” The Roar quoted Shukri Conrad as saying. “People will be screaming outside saying we got an easy draw. Well, I won’t apologize for that. I think the good thing about getting the results is… Your land is that you play as the favorite. It is easy to play the underdog because you are not expected to do so.
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the WTC structure, highlighting how the South African team had a much easier schedule compared to other teams. For example, England played 22 matches, almost twice as many as the Proteas, faced heavy penalties for slugging overs and again failed to reach the 2025 WTC final.
They reached the final by defeating almost no one: Michael Vaughan
According to The Roar, Michael Vaughan told Fox Cricket: “If you look at South Africa, they got to the final by beating almost nobody. I don’t understand the table; I don’t understand the system we have.”
“They beat Pakistan at home and Sri Lanka at home. I’m not against South Africa, but the system allowed them to reach the final, and they drew 1-1 with India at home, and they have not qualified yet.” I haven’t played for England or Australia, I don’t like the system.
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