South Africa coach Shukri Conrad has called for a rare blend of intense concentration and stubborn resolve following his team’s heavy 214-run defeat to Australia in the first Test at Kingsmead. Describing the necessary shift in approach, Conrad coined the term singlebloodymindedness to emphasize the mental toughness required in red-ball cricket. If you’re singleminded you’re able to focus intensely on what you need to do. So much so that he invented a word to make his point. It was easily the longest stay in South Africa’s bid to save the match.
Highlighting standout performances, Conrad pointed to Aiden Markram’s resilience in the second innings. Markram spent nearly six hours at the crease, facing 237 balls for his 75 runs, proving that Test cricket requires enduring the hard hours regardless of aesthetics. Wiaan Mulder provided the secondary resistance by batting for over two hours, while David Bedingham was the only other batter to exceed an hour at the crease. Only Markram and Mulder managed to face more than 100 deliveries. “Aiden showed us in the second innings that there’s nothing fancy about Test cricket,” Conrad told reporters after the match ended on Tuesday (October 13). “It’s that singlebloodymindedness — ‘I’ve got to bat for a day-and-a-half, irrespective of what it looks like’.
South Africa’s batting collapse began on the third day when Markram, Temba Bavuma, and Bedingham all fell within the space of 9.3 overs for a meagre addition of 15 runs. The team’s lower order offered little reprieve as the final six wickets tumbled for just 129 runs. Anrich Nortje, batting at number eleven, was the sole exception who did not fall to a poor shot selection, edging a straightening delivery from Beau Webster to first slip.
When questioned about the questionable shot-making that likely frustrated him and batting coach Ashwell Prince, Conrad quipped about their shared lack of hair. He noted that dismissals generally stem from technical, tactical, or mental issues, attributing many of their recent dismissals firmly to the mental category. He acknowledged that factors such as the match situation, the enormity of the occasion, and the desperate desire to succeed heavily influence these errors. “Are you trying to be funny,” Conrad quipped at that question, a reference to the fact that both he and Prince — and bowling coach Piet Botha — are shaven-headed. “There’s a singlemindedness that goes with Test batting, especially against a world-class attack like Australia’s.
Conrad also pointed to potential rustiness as a contributing factor, given that South Africa’s previous Test appearance occurred nearly 11 months prior in Guwahati, with an even longer gap of over 18 months since their last home Test. Comparing this to Australia’s schedule, he suggested the team might have needed this challenging outing out of the way, despite Australia having played six Tests during the same period.
Reflecting on squad selection and stability, Conrad noted that the team operates without fear of error despite playing a limited number of matches. During his tenure overseeing 22 Tests—excluding a depleted squad sent to New Zealand in February 2024 due to SA20 commitments—he has utilized five different number three batters, eight at number five, and eight at number six. Players like Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs have rotated through all three positions. Some of our batters can take a leaf out of his book.”.
The absence of pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada due to a hamstring injury significantly impacted South Africa’s bowling plans. Conrad colorfully described Rabada as the team’s Rolls-Royce, admitting that losing their premier fast bowler forced them to hastily assemble an alternative attack. Several other fast bowlers, including Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman, and Lutho Sipamla, have also battled hamstring issues in recent weeks.
Looking ahead to the second Test at St George’s Park starting on Sunday, Conrad expressed hope that their lead fast bowler will soon be fit. Uncapped player Marques Ackerman appears the most likely candidate to receive an opportunity from the squad, though Tony de Zorzi’s availability remains uncertain due to his own hamstring concerns. Selectors are expected to provide updates following the initial squad review.
Conrad maintained a calm perspective on the loss, rejecting the notion that the team requires deep soul-searching. Having experienced five Test defeats during his tenure—including a loss to India at Newlands in January 2024, two defeats in New Zealand, and a 93-run loss to Pakistan in Lahore in October 2025—he stressed that the team simply needs to improve without resorting to panic or knee-jerk reactions.
