TEMBA ON THE CHARGE The leadership and performance of Temba Bavuma could be one of the reasons the Proteas come away victorious in the World Test Championship final against Australia. Picture: Rodger Bosch / AFP
Image: Rodger Bosch / AFP
With both South Africa and Australia confirmed to fight it out in the World Test Championship (WTC) at Lord’s in June, there’s a genuine belief that the Proteas can triumph.
While much of the reaction to the Proteas becoming the first team to qualify for the WTC final, centred on their playing schedule - the focus has now shifted to how they will approach the trophy match in six months time.
With Australia beating India in the fifth Test of their series in the Sydney New Years’ clash on Sunday, the Aussies booked their place in the WTC final.
While South Africa are the top-ranked team in the current WTC cycle, Australia will be considered big favourites to win the final.
However, here’s five reasons why the Proteas might just spring a surprise.
This current Proteas team are not burdened by a star-studded lineup. With the exception of Kagiso Rabada, this team has been able to produce the results with some lesser-known names on the world stage. That speaks to the character of the side and how they have been able to churn out the results.
Bavuma has been the leading run-scorer for South Africa in the last five years, and in the current season he has moved to another level as skipper of the team. Throughout his career, Bavuma has been criticised for not scoring more hundreds, but in the last four Tests alone he has managed two tons. With Bavuma in the best form of his career, he has the ability to not only help South Africa fight, but to set the tone in a one-off match.
As the headline act of the Proteas bowling lineup, Rabada is at the peak of his powers. He will have celebrated his 30th birthday by the time the WTC final comes around, and he will want to prove why he has the best strike-rate in the history of the game among bowlers who have played more than 50 Tests.
Former players like Michael Vaughan were heavily critical of South Africa after they reached the final, as he said the Proteas had beaten basically nobody. Also linked to the character of the team, they thrive on performing in the heat of the battle through their persistence.
Again, Rabada will have something to prove as the leader of a powerful Proteas attack.
In combination with the lanky speedster Marco Jansen at the other end, the Proteas will be well-suited to the English conditions. Add in the swing of allrounder Wiaan Mulder and the Proteas have a fiery lineup which could make the ball talk at Lord’s.
Though teenager Kwena Maphaka may not be a likely member of the Test XI, the lightning quick left-hander may just be a secret weapon coach Shukri Conrad takes a gamble on.