South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has issued a warning to his World Test Championship rivals, insisting that his side has not yet reached its full potential following their recent 2-1 series victory over Australia.
The Proteas' triumph on home soil has propelled them to second place in the current World Test Championship standings, significantly boosting their prospects of reaching next year's final to defend their title.
Conrad expressed pride in his team's resilience against Australia, noting that while the results were impressive, the squad remains a work in progress as they look toward upcoming home series against Bangladesh and England.
"I still think there are one or two things that will make us the best version," Conrad said. "I'm also not surprised because that lot have it in them to do amazing things."
The coach highlighted his commitment to rotating the squad to find the most effective combinations for different conditions, acknowledging that he will continue to make difficult selection decisions to ensure the best players are in the right roles.
Conrad praised the impact of newer squad members such as Marques Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke, who integrated seamlessly during the Australia series, and emphasized the need for players to remain adaptable to team requirements.
"We're getting the best XI on the bus. We've just got to find the right seats for them," Conrad said. "The important bit is that very often you need to be quite malleable as a player also."
Looking ahead, the Proteas are preparing for a two-Test series against Bangladesh later this month. Conrad warned against complacency, noting that Bangladesh possesses a capable pace attack that could prove dangerous on Highveld surfaces.
The coach remains focused on the immediate challenge, stating that every upcoming series is treated as the most significant of the summer as the team looks to maintain their momentum in the championship cycle.
South Africa's rise in the standings places them in a strong position to qualify for the final, though they face a demanding schedule that includes three Tests against England and two fixtures against Sri Lanka.
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