Test championship win proves South Africa's cricket credentials

June 18 (Reuters) - Victory in the World Test Championship final over Australia ended South Africa's agonising 27-year wait for an ICC trophy, and coach Shukri Conrad believes more success is not far off following a rapturous welcome home in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
South Africa won by five wickets at Lord's to end decades of heartache in major ICC competitions and were celebrated by several thousand supporters at OR Tambo International airport.
Conrad has been test coach for a little over two years but also recently took over the white ball teams. He believes the triumph can be a catalyst for success across all formats.
"If you have a test team that is strong and plays regularly, that has spin-offs for the other formats," he told reporters. "When you have a good test team, you'll have good teams in (white ball cricket) because a good player is a good player."
The amount of test cricket South Africa play has been a major talking point with Conrad previously saying it was no secret they want more games.
But the new world champions are not scheduled to play a home test until October 2026, and will take a weakened squad on a two-test tour of Zimbabwe that starts on June 28.
Scheduling more games is a complex issue given the cost of hosting series for cash-strapped Cricket South Africa.
Conrad says while their financial muscle means they may not match the so-called 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England off the field of play, they can certainly do so on it.
"We don't feel like underdogs and we believe we are one of the top teams in the world," he said. "We may not have played Australia and England in the league phase (of the World Test Championship) but we played Australia in the final and would not have had it any other way.
"We feel we belong at the main table. (Being underdogs) was never a conversation in our team meetings. Everyone dubbed Australia as favourites, perhaps on the back of their experience more than anything else.
"But we create our own reality and are the test champions now."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

BBC News

6 hours ago

• BBC News

Wafcon 2025 - Complete squad lists for every team

Nigeria don announce dia squad for dis year Women Africa Cup of Nations, Wafcon. Di squad include several key players, like captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forwards Francisca Ordega and Asisat Oshoala. Morocco go host di 13th edition of Wafcon wey go start from July 5-26. Di best women footballers for Africa go gada for di north African nation to compete for di ogbonge trophy. South Africa na di current holders but dem go face oda nations wey dey eye di crown. Di Confederation of African Football, Caf, put di 12 competing qualified teams inside three groups. Hosts Morocco dey Group A wey get Zambia, Senegal and di Democratic Republic of Congo, while 11-time winners Nigeria dey di same group wit Botswana, Tunisia and Algeria. South Africa go begin di defence of dia title for Group C against Ghana, Mali and Tanzania. Bayana Bayana drop former Women Footballer of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana from dia squad. Most teams go announce dia final 23-player squad on 23 June. Already, Nigeria Football Federation don secure friendly matches for di team wit di senior women national teams of Portugal and Ghana, to put dem in a competitive mood ahead of dia group B encounters against Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria for di Larbi Zaouli Stadium for Casablanca. Super Falcons go up against dia Portuguese counterparts for Lisbon on Monday, 23rd June, bifor dem go play di Black Queens of Ghana for Morocco on Sunday, 29th June. Nigeria Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Tochukwu Oluehi; Rachael Unachukwu Defenders: Osinachi Ohale; Shukurat Oladipo; Michelle Alozie; Ashleigh Plumptre; Sikiratu Isah; Oluwatosin Demehin; Miracle Usani Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade; Halimatu Ayinde; Deborah Abiodun; Jennifer Echegini; Toni Payne; Christy Ucheibe Forwards: Francisca Ordega; Chinwendu Ihezuo; Ifeoma Onumonu; Esther Okoronkwo; Omorinsola Babajide; Folashade Ijamilusi; Chioma Okafor Ghana Goalkeepers: Cynthia Findib Konlan, Afi Amenyeku, Kerrie Mccarthy Defenders: Anasthesia Achiaa, Portia Boakye, Nina Norshie, Josephine Bonsu, Comfort Yeboah, Susan Ama Duah, Ersentina Abambila, Louisa Aniwaa Midfielders: Grace Asantewaa, Jacqueline Owusu, Jennifer Cudjoe, Evelyn Badu, Nancy Amoh, Chantelle L.B. Hlorkah, Stella Nyamekye Strikers: Princess D. Marfo, Sherrifatu Sumaila, Alice Kusi, Abigail Kofi Kim South Africa Goalkeepers: Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini, Dineo Magagula, Casey Gordon Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Shakira O'Malley, Gabriela Salgado, Tiisetso Makhubela, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bongeka Gamede, Midfielders: Sibulele Holweni, Linda Mothlalo, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau, Regina Mogolola, Noxolo Cesane, Michelle Sampson, Adrielle Mibe, Kgalebane Mohlakoana Forwards: Zambia Goalkeepers: Mwila Chishala Mufunte, Ngambo Musole, Catherine Musonda Defenders: Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Margaret Belemu, Pauline Zulu, Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko, Mapalo, Maluba Midfielders: Irene Lungu, Xiomara Mapepa, Racheal Nachula, Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya, Evarine Susan Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe, Rhoda Chhileshe, Mercy Chipasula, Mary Wilombe Strikers: Barbra Banda, Fridah Mukoma, Kabange Mupopo, Racheal Kundananji Botswana Goalkeepers: Sedilame Matumelo Bosua, Tlamelo Pheresi, Lesego Moeng Defenders: Masego Montsho, Mokgabo Thanda, Lone Gaofetoge, Kesegofetse Mochawe, Veronicah Mogotsi, Boitumlo Gammu Midfielders: Nancy Baeletsi, Laone Moloi, Tshegofatso Mosotho, Obonetse Rathari, Golebaone Selebatso, Esalenna Galekhutle, Leungo Senwelo Strikers: Balotlhanyi Johannes, Lesego Radiakanyo, Jessica Maponga, Keitumetse Dithebe, Nondi Mahlasela, Michelle Abueng, Yaone Modise, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse, Refilwe Tholakele, Peggy Manewe Morocco Goalkeepers: Khadija Errmichi, Hind Hasnaoui, Zineb El Arari Defenders: Hanane Ait Elhaj, Zineb Redouani, Ghizlane Chhiri, Rkia Mazraoui, Aziza Rebbah, Nouhaila Benzina, Siham Boukhami, Yasmin Mrabet, Najat Belhabib Midfielders: Ines Arouaissa, Fatima El Jabraoui, Sabah Seghir, Soumia Hady, Ghizlane Chebbak, Najat Badri, Elodie Nakkach, Salma Bouguerch, Anissa Lahmari, Sarah Kassi, Zineb Erroudany, Imène El Ghazouani, Sanaa Mssoudy, Imane Touriss, Fatima Tagnaout, Jade Nassi Forwards: Sakina Ouzraoui, Rania Boutiebi, Imane Saoud, Ibtissam Jraidi, Rosella Ayane, Kenza Chapelle We still dey update dis tori.

Daily Mail​

10 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

Former Chelsea star is hit with FIVE-YEAR ban from football and fined after furious row with Samuel Eto'o

Former Chelsea star Geremi has been handed a five-year ban from football by Cameroon's FA and fined £13,000 following a dispute with federation president Samuel Eto'o. The 46-year-old, who earned 118 caps for Cameroon - the joint-second highest in the country's history - lifted the Premier League title with Chelsea in both 2005 and 2006. He also enjoyed spells at Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle before hanging up his boots in 2011. Since retiring, Geremi has often found himself at the centre of controversy. He previously held a role with the National Union of Footballers of Cameroon (Synafoc), but has now been hit with a lengthy ban after a fallout with Eto'o. The feud between the pair dates back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, during Cameroon's clash with Gambia. Geremi was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with a member of Eto'o's staff, which quickly escalated and resulted in the two having to be separated by those nearby. Reports in Cameroon claim Geremi was 'forcibly removed' by nearby security on the orders of FeCafoot officials - and the governing body has now ruled that the former midfielder must serve a lengthy ban as a consequence of his actions. 'We declare Geremi Sorel Njitap, the president of Synafoc, guilty of breaking the behaviour rules of our code of ethics,' a statement read. We sentence him to a ban from all forms of football activity for five years, and to a fine of ten million West African francs [£13,000]. He has ten days to submit a written appeal.' Geremi's assistant, Daniel Blaise Ngos, has also been sanctioned over the incident, receiving a two-year ban and a £6,500 fine. Geremi is expected to launch an appeal against the ruling, with reports suggesting he could take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to overturn or reduce both the ban and £13,000 fine. He made headlines last year after splitting from his wife following DNA tests that revealed the two children he believed were his were actually fathered by her former partner.

Reuters

11 hours ago

• Reuters

South Africa captain Bavuma ruled out of Zimbabwe test series

June 20 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the two-test series against Zimbabwe that starts in Bulawayo on June 28 after he failed to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in the World Test Championship final win over Australia at Lord's. Bavuma was injured in the second innings of South Africa's five-wicket victory, soldiering on as he scored a crucial 66 in a match-winning third wicket stand of 147 with centurion Aiden Markram. Keshav Maharaj will captain the side in Bavuma's absence, with no replacement named in the squad for the latter. The first test will be played from June 28-July 2 at the Queens Sports Club, with the second also in Bulawayo from July 6-10. Revised South Africa squad: Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi*, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne and Codi Yusuf. *Second test only