The Proteas will look back on the year 2023 with quite a few regrets having not performed as well as they would have hoped in all three formats of the game.
They started the year on somewhat of a clean slate with the appointment of new coaches Shukri Conrad (Tests) and Rob Walter (white ball).
The pair was roped into the fold following the departure of former coach Mark Boucher, who left his position at the end of last year following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The shambolic performance in that tournament was just one of the reasons for Boucher’s departure, which left the team needing a fresh start and a different approach.
The early signs under Conrad and Walter were positive with the Proteas playing a particular enterprising brand of cricket without any fear.
For the first time in a while, cricket fanatics in Mzansi were excited about the future and looking forward to what their side would produce at high pressure moments.
Miserable World Test Championship
The World Test Championship (WTC) final took place at the Oval in England back in June and the Proteas were not part of it with that honour going to India
and Australia.
The Proteas, who were sitting at the top of the WTC standings for most of the cycle, had somehow managed to play themselves out of contention at the beginning of this year.
They were schooled by Australia during the same period and that led to a change in the brains trust with Dean Elgar forced to hand the captaincy to Temba Bavuma in the longest format. It was too little too late for Bavuma to have any impact on the destination of the championship with the Proteas already well out of it.
Another World Cup disappointment
The Proteas, under Bavuma’s leadership, had a promising start to the ODI World Cup in India but could not get over the line once again. Although some of their performances during the campaign were eye catching, the end result was the same as all previous World Cups – disappointing.
After a solid group stage, the Proteas encountered a tumultuous end to their World Cup campaign, bowing out after a disappointing loss to Australia in the semifinals.
The South Africans appeared formidable for much of the tournament, but encountered difficulties, notably against host nation India and Australia when it mattered most.
Proteas players to look out for in 2024
Despite the Proteas losing one of their top players Quinton de Kock, who is now retired from Tests and ODIs, there’s been some promising talent discovered that is expected to help take the team forward.
The likes of Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee have proven to be a good find for the Proteas and a lot is expected from them going forward. The ongoing series against India is also expected to help expose the likes of Ottniel Baartman, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Bedingham and Nandre Burger.
Under the guidance of Conrad and Walter, the Proteas will be hoping for an improved year in 2024 where they will target the T20 World Cup and hope to make good progress in the Test Championship.
