South Africa Coach Shukri Conrad Urges More Confidence and Flair After T20I Finals Losses

South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad has called on his players to show a bit more swagger and self-belief after back-to-back last-over defeats in major T20I matches. Despite possessing the skills and mental strength to close out tight games, Conrad believes what the team truly needs is the confidence to flaunt their talents boldly on the field.

Learning to "Show Off" in Style

Conrad reflected on South Africa’s recent heartbreak in the T20I series decider against Australia in Cairns, coming shortly after a similar last-over loss to New Zealand in a tri-series final. His message was clear:

"Sometimes we can be too humble. We don’t show off to the world enough what we’re capable of doing."

He praised Australia for having a clear “blueprint” for how they want to play—sometimes dazzling, sometimes scrappy—but always steadfast. He encouraged his batters like Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and captain Aiden Markram to free themselves from the constraints of being too cautious.

Dewald Brevis: The Confidence Catalyst

Conrad singled out the series’ star performer Dewald Brevis, who set the tone with his fearless batting—most memorably when he hit a six off Sean Abbott without even looking where it landed. Brevis scored a record 125* in a T20I for South Africa, boasting the highest strike rate in the series at 204.54.

Described by Conrad using the Afrikaans word “windgat”—a blend of confidence and controlled cockiness—Brevis’s approach is something the whole team should aspire to adopt. Off the field, Brevis remains modest and grounded, attributing his success to God, but on the field he plays with freedom and flair.

Markram’s Challenge and Potential

Conrad acknowledges Aiden Markram’s struggles—31 innings without a T20I half-century—and notes his tentative start as an opener. But he believes Markram’s brilliance is just around the corner.

"I know it’s different from Test cricket, but in the World Test Championship final, Aiden showed exactly who he is. I’m sure it won’t be long before he unlocks that genius again," Conrad said.

Balancing Batting Depth and Boldness

Conrad admits South Africa were “batter light” in the recent series, missing only David Miller in the latest. Yet he insists that willingness to play with “a little more chutzpah” can make up for it, especially when combined with a well-rounded bowling attack.

"If we want to be brave, we need to select attacks to beat teams like Australia… Imagine what we can do with a properly balanced side," he added.

Not Obsessed with Allrounders, But Realistic

He pushed back against claims that he favors allrounders unduly. For Conrad, the top six spots are for the best batters, with 7 and 8 slots likely going to allrounders, reflecting a conventional and strategic approach to the T20 format.

Building Towards the T20 World Cup

With the next T20 World Cup just six months away, Conrad sees these experiences as growth opportunities.

"Two last-over losses don’t define us, but they show what we need: more belief, more expression, and playing with that fearless edge," he said with conviction.

Shukri Conrad’s call for South Africa to “show off” more is not just about ego but about embracing their natural flair and self-assurance—an essential ingredient to transform close defeats into victorious moments on the global stage.