Conrad: Whether it is fully-fledged international cricket, I think the jury is out

South Africa coach admits a series with understrength teams isn't ideal but highlighted the opportunities it has given fringe players

ESPNcricinfo staff

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 10:14 AM (4 hrs ago)

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has admitted there are valid questions around the status and value of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, given both sides are missing several first-choice players, but insists the exposure has been crucial for emerging talent.

Speaking ahead of the series-deciding fifth T20I, Conrad acknowledged the timing of the series - coming soon after the T20 World Cup and just before franchise leagues like the IPL and PSL - has contributed to both squads being under strength.

"I think it's been an exciting series. Whether it is fully-fledged international cricket, I think the jury is out on that and many people will have their opinions on it," he said. "But as soon as you pull on that Proteas jumper, and I'm sure the same for the Kiwis, you represent your country and you've got to try and make them proud."

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South Africa have only three members of their World Cup squad - Keshav Maharaj, George Linde and Jason Smith - on this tour. Meanwhile, New Zealand had eight World Cup players available for the first three games, including regular captain Mitchell Santner, before their squad too was thinned out.

With several leading players unavailable due to IPL and PSL commitments - which begin on March 28 and 26, respectively - Conrad conceded that opinions will remain divided about this tour.

"It was always a tough one coming after a World Cup," he said. "It was never about the exit in the World Cup, but a lot of people would be questioning the value of the series and why you would have it. I think we all did at some stage."

Conrad did highlight one positive - a new generation of players stepping into the international arena for the first time. He pointed out that success in competitions such as the SA20 does not immediately equip players with the pressures of representing the national side. Only playing for the national side does.

"When you look at some of the younger guys, again, that have become household names in SA20, as soon as you expose them to international cricket, that there's still a gap and there's still a pressure and a scrutiny that they would never have experienced before.

"So I think on that front, it's been an invaluable exercise to see guys like Connor Esterhuizen, and [Nqobani] Mokoena step up, [Prenelan] Subrayen on debut, like I said, and deliver the goods."

Esterhuizen scored a fifty in the fourth T20I and Subrayen helped turn that into a match-winning innings by taking 2 for 13 and helping defend a total of 164. Mokoena wants to be the best death bowler in the world and has impressed with three wickets in three games at an economy rate of 6.95.

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