As the much-anticipated 'Boxing Day' Test match approaches, South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, remains optimistic about his team's prospects against India, despite concerns over the fitness of key pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Both Rabada, recovering from a heel injury, and Ngidi, nursing an ankle injury, are integral to South Africa's bowling attack, and their participation has been a topic of intense speculation.
"They are both here with us and that means they are available for selection as things stand," Conrad told reporters on Saturday. "We have not called anybody in as a replacement and hopefully come the morning of the match we have 15 fit players to select from," said the SA coach.
Rabada and Ngidi, who were absent from the limited-overs series, were seen bowling at full strength during practice sessions at the SuperSport Park's centre training wicket. They faced Dean Elgar, who is gearing up for his final series. The Centurion track, known for favoring fast bowlers, is expected to be a crucial battleground in this series. Although India secured a win against South Africa in their last encounter on this ground, Coach Conrad is banking on his 'lethal weapons' to deliver peak performances.
Gerald Coetzee, the 23-year-old fast bowler, is also likely to feature in the Test, riding on the momentum from his impressive performance in the ODI World Cup in India. With nine wickets from two tests, both against the West Indies earlier this year, Coetzee's inclusion adds a fresh dynamic to South Africa's pace attack.
"He's still a baby in Test cricket," Conrad said. "He's been phenomenal every time he's stepped onto the field, whether it be with the white ball in his hand or the red one. This is just going to be another step. "He brings aggression, he brings something that we've always prided ourselves on as South Africans, which is pace," the Proteas coach continued.
"He brings all of those elements and hopefully through the experience he builds in the (T20) league's and playing for South Africa with the white and red ball, in a couple of years' time he can be leading our bowling attack," he added.
India, on their end, is aiming for a historic first Test series win on South African soil. Coach Conrad acknowledges this ambition but remains confident in his team's ability to uphold their impressive home record.
"If it was possible to make this even bigger, then the fact that India have never won here does that," he said. "We certainly want to hold on to that proud record and make sure that that doesn't happen. There are so many matchups that this series hinges on. It's two tests, so it's a high pressured one. You go 1-0 down and you can't win the series. You go 1-0 up, you can't lose. It's going to be like a heavyweight boxing bout," said Conrad.
South Africa's determination to maintain their undefeated streak against touring teams adds an extra layer of intrigue to this upcoming Test series, setting the stage for a compelling cricket showdown.
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