How South Africa's coach trained players to finally shed the chockers tag by winning the WTC title vs Australia
For decades, South African cricket has battled a painful reputation—of faltering when it matters most. The label of 'chokers' haunted generations, from early World Cup exits to painful collapses in critical games. But that narrative took a historic turn when South Africa, under head coach Shukri Conrad, clinched the World Test Championship (WTC) title with a resolute victory over Australia.
The transformation didn't happen overnight. It was a process rooted in mental toughness, self-belief, and calmness under pressure—key attributes Conrad instilled in his squad.
A Mindset Shift Under Conrad
As per The turning point in South Africa's mental fortitude came in December, during a nerve-wracking run chase against Pakistan. At 19 for 3 chasing 148, the team was on the brink once again. But Conrad, rather than panic, delivered a straightforward message: 'Do you want to be remembered as chokers?' That blunt but necessary intervention sparked a turnaround. South Africa scraped through with a two-wicket win—a win Conrad jokingly labeled the 'Camel classic,' a nod to the calming cigarette break he shared with players mid-crisis.
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That message of staying composed stayed with the team through their WTC campaign. It resurfaced on the eve of the final days of the WTC final against Australia, where South Africa found themselves in a dominant position at Lord's—yet acutely aware of how easily things had fallen apart in the past.
Focused on the Moment, Not the Outcome
Ashwell Prince, South Africa's batting coach, credited Conrad's calm demeanor for the serene atmosphere in the dressing room during tense phases. Prince recalled how Conrad instructed players to stick to their routines: do the same warm-ups, approach the day as any other, and don't let the magnitude of the occasion overwhelm them.
"The messaging has been the same throughout," Prince noted. "Make them believe that they can do it, and then just step out the way and allow them to go and do it."
The emphasis was always on staying present—'play one ball at a time,' as Prince described the batting philosophy. Despite facing an Australian side stacked with elite bowlers, South Africa never let the past dictate the present.
History Was Watching—But South Africa Looked Ahead
Lord's has seen its share of final heartbreaks, and for South Africa, ghosts of past failures loomed large. From the infamous Test loss in 1992 against the West Indies to the heartbreak in the T20 World Cup final in 2023, the fear of history repeating itself was real. Yet the team made a conscious decision not to look too far ahead. Prince even hesitated to discuss Temba Bavuma's heroic innings before the match ended, aware that even the smallest assumption could tempt fate.
Still, the signs were positive. From the steady partnership between Bavuma and Aiden Markram to Rabada's dominant bowling across the match, South Africa appeared to be writing a different ending.
A Victory That Went Beyond the Scorecard
Even before the final moments, South Africa's campaign had won admiration. They reached the final despite criticism over the perceived ease of their fixtures. But as Prince pointed out, the players were made aware of their own quality, not the noise outside. Conrad made it a priority to build confidence internally, not react to external doubts.
"There was no talk about proving anybody wrong," Prince emphasized. The focus was on performance, not validation.
In defeating Australia, South Africa didn't just win a title—they dismantled a decades-old narrative. The 'chokers' tag wasn't erased with one win, but it was undoubtedly challenged in the most emphatic way. And at the heart of that shift was a coach who believed in calm over chaos, and players who finally began to believe in themselves.
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