Proteas batters set to provide more festive cheer

The Proteas' Test batting has been the gift that has kept on giving.

Given what’s at stake in the two Tests with Pakistan, that will have to continue to be the case, because this is a series in which a fragile bowling unit — the result of a raft of injuries — will have to be carefully managed. 

Part of that process includes allowing them enough time off their feet, which means the batters having to score big and occupy time, something they’ve managed to do with greater consistency. 

Confidence, clear thinking and fairer pitches have allowed a batting line-up to thrive. 

It’s still a long way from the halcyon days of 2008, when Graeme Smith’s team shared 23 centuries between eight different batters. South Africa did play five more Tests that year than they will in 2024, and this is a batting unit that is still very much in its seedling phase, compared to the giant oke that dominated 16 years ago. 

But going into the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park on Thursday, there’s no denying the progress made and the depth created with the current group. Only India, who’ll end 2024 with five more Tests than the Proteas, have matched South Africa’s figure of eight different century-makers in the calendar year.

The Proteas have done so while installing a new opening batter, Tony de Zorzi, a new No 3, Tristan Stubbs [mostly], David Bedingham in the middle order and, finally, getting Wiaan Mulder to feel like he belongs. “The clarity that we try to provide for them goes a long way in allowing them to go out and play the way they play,” said the Test coach Shukri Conrad.

Skipper Temba Bavuma has been a good example. Having missed half of the Test matches this year, he returned for the Sri Lanka series a player reborn, producing match-defining innings, and playing with a flair that illustrates great comfort with himself and genuine belief in the team he is leading.   

“What’s also happened is that there’s been a nice knock-on effect, because the guys have seen how their peers have gone about their business. They gain confidence from someone in the group getting a hundred and then another player does it ... there’s a nice competitive spirit that develops, that sees the next guy wanting to score a hundred,” said Conrad.

It’s a trend that needs to continue as South Africa chase one win to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final, an outcome that seemed impossible when a “C team” was picked to play in New Zealand.

As Pakistan have shown in the limited-overs matches, their talent and craftiness runs deep. They’ve recalled Mohammad Abbas, who’ll test the Proteas’ techniques with his tight lines, while Naseem Shah will examine temperaments with his searing pace.

But 11 months on from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj ripping them apart at Newlands, the concerns for the Proteas no longer run as deep.

They now thrive in the responsibility they’ve created for themselves.