Shukri Conrad proud as Proteas earn SA Sports Awards nominations

Shukri Conrad has welcomed his nomination for Coach of the Year at the SA Sports Awards after guiding South Africa to its first World Test Championship title. The Proteas’ success has also earned the team a nomination for Team of the Year, while captain Temba Bavuma is in contention for Sportsman of the Year.

Conrad’s nomination recognises a significant period for South African Test cricket. The Proteas won the World Test Championship and followed that achievement with a Test victory over India away from home in 2025. Conrad said he was proud of the players, support staff and management who contributed to those results.

The awards ceremony will be held at Sun City in the North West on Sunday night. Conrad is competing for the coaching prize against athletics coach Thabo Matebedi and swimming coach Rocco Meiring, who is also his friend.

Although he appreciates the recognition, Conrad said awards were not the reason the team works. His focus remains on delivering results that make South Africa’s cricket supporters proud, with the World Test Championship representing the first ICC trophy won by the Proteas.

Conrad initially took charge of the Test side before becoming South Africa’s coach across all formats. He believes that even winning the 2027 World Cup on home soil would be a greater achievement than anything so far, because it would give supporters the major title that has eluded the country.

He also acknowledged that South Africa’s reputation for falling short in major tournaments would probably remain, even after a World Cup triumph. That label does not affect the team’s ambition, however, with Conrad stressing the desire to win the 2027 tournament and celebrate it with supporters at home.