World Test Championship: South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad is relishing the opportunity to host Australia for a three-match World Test Championship series, with the reigning champions set to face the top-ranked Test side from October 9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The series features the two sides that met in the 2025 WTC Final at Lord's, where Aiden Markram's 136 and nine wickets from Kagiso Rabada powered South Africa to a five-wicket win over Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Conrad is particularly excited about facing Australia on home soil with South Africa hosting them in a Test series for the first time since 2018 as the sides meet again in the current WTC cycle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“Any series against Australia is worth looking forward to, and more particularly because it's at home,” Conrad told ICC. “We haven't had international [Test] cricket in South Africa for almost two years. Certainly looking forward to playing in front of our home crowds against arguably the number one side in the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“I think there's always spice between South Africa and Australia. Maybe not as spicy as in years gone by, but I think the fact that we put one over them in the (World Test Championship) final last year might add a little bit of spice to what should be a really exciting and spicy series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“It’s always exciting when Australia arrive on our shores and I am sure this one's going to be no different.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Conrad believes South Africa can draw valuable lessons from their triumph at Lord’s, while acknowledging the quality of Australia’s bowling attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“We respect them for the champion side that they are. I think we exposed one or two vulnerabilities in their lineup last year that I think we can build on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“We also know that they've got a world-class bowling attack and we certainly have the belief that when we play to our true potential we could find ways of nullifying that. So loads of learnings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“A three-match series is a lot different to a one-off test. It's our first three-match series in I don't know how long. We are accustomed to playing two-match series. So this is going to make it a real test for us.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“I think from all the learnings that we have taken from the final and the victory over them, it certainly gives us a belief that when we play to our potential, then we can certainly put one over them.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The last time the two teams faced each other in Test was in late 2022 and early 2023, when Australia won the three-Test series 2-0 at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The series coming up will represent a significant task within the 2025-27 WTC cycle, the two teams being currently among the top sides in the standings and both aiming to secure a spot in next year's Ultimate Test at The Oval.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The last time the two teams faced each other in Test was in late 2022 and early 2023, when Australia won the three-Test series 2-0 at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first Test match takes place in Durban from 9 to 13 October, followed by the second in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October and the third in Cape Town from 27 to 31 October.<\/p>\r\n\r\n