South Africa secured their place in the WTC Final for the first time with a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Centurion on December 29, 2024. However, South Africa's WTC cycle structure caught the attention of everyone following their WTC Final 2025.
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Unlike other teams, the South African side didn't face major powerhouses like Australia and England or any daunting subcontinent tours, except for a short series in Bangladesh. Following their WTC Final 2025 qualification, some feel South Africa’s path to the summit clash lacked the level of challenge other teams faced, but Shukri Conrad remains unfazed.
I’m not going to apologize: Shukri Conrad
Shukri Conrad was quoted as saying by The Roar: “We’re just thrilled that we can be at Lord’s next year. People abroad will be shouting that we had an easy draw. Well, I’m not going to apologize for that. I think the good thing about getting the results at home is that you play as a favorite. It’s easy to play as an underdog because you’re not expected to do it.”
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the structure of the WTC, highlighting how the South African team had a much easier schedule compared to other teams. For example, England played 22 matches, nearly double the number of Proteas', and faced heavy penalties for slow over-rates and yet again failed to make it to the WTC Final 2025.
They have got to the final by beating pretty much nobody: Michael Vaughan
"They have beaten Pakistan at home and beaten Sri Lanka at home. I am not against South Africa, but the system has allowed them to get to the final, and they’ve drawn 1-1 against India at home, and they haven’t played England or Australia—I just don’t like the system.”
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