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 served them well.
“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 Difficult Start in Durban
South Africa were without pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi for the first Test, but they still fielded a lineup with plenty of experience. After bowling 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, South Africa’s batters made starts but none crossed fifty, which handed Australia a crucial 106-run lead. Australia extended their advantage with clinical batting in the third innings before a stellar six-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood sealed an emphatic win.
Australia were outstanding, taking sensational catches in the field and bowling accurately to back up their resilient batting. South Africa, though, faltered at times and threw away wickets at crucial moments. Conrad wants to see that area improve, perhaps with a few changes to the lineup.
Conrad Calls for Composure, Not Panic
“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 said. “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.”
South Africa channelled that same resilience when they won the World Test Championship title at Lord’s in June 2025. They 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 added, suggesting the hosts were open to change.
Squad Changes on the Horizon
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 players to return. He is on 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.
Tightening the Batting
Conrad also expects better application from his batters. He explained the nature of their dismissals.
“Dismissals in the batting sit in one of three categories. It’s either 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)
Second Test: Begins 18 October, Gqeberha