Proteas confidence validated after World Test Championship final win, says Marco Jansen

Proteas fast bowler Marco Jansen believes that winning the World Test Championship will give them the confidence that they need to take on the tours that lie ahead.

South Africa have tours to Pakistan and India later this year, two countries where they have not won a Test series in a long time.

In fact, apart from their series victory in Bangladesh last year, their first on the sub-continent in a decade, the Proteas have struggled in that region.

To make matters worse, having won the World Test Championship, there will be more pressure on the team now as all eyes will be on them to witness how they begin their defence of the trophy in the upcoming 2025-2027 WTC cycle.

However, Jansen emphasised that they have added confidence following their heroics at Lord’s last week.

It is warranted confidence, as they beat Australia to become the world Test champions, a team that are almost unbeatable in the finals of ICC events.

“Winning against them in the final with that bowling line-up, with that batting line-up definitely gives us a lot of confidence going forward,” Jansen said this week.

“We already had confidence, but it’s sort of like just confirmation that, okay, cool, we actually can go and we can put the performances in when it’s needed. So, yeah, definitely a good feeling.”

Jansen missed out on the tour to Bangladesh as he was placed on a strength and conditioning block, and will thus have his first taste of Test cricket on the Asian sub-continent later this year.

It is a good thing that the youngster is still looking to grow as a cricketer, as the sub-continent will most certainly serve him a few lessons.

“Personally, I feel I can grow a lot more. For me, it’s just all about trying to get better and trying to get ways or find ways to help the team win. I like to say to make the team win. I don’t just want to help, I want to make us win, because for me, it’s two different things," said Jansen.  

“But just also the other guys as well, KG (Rabada) also has been growing that’s why he’s kept on putting in match-winning performances, the batters, the guys off the field, the management, all of us.

“Everyone has grown in whatever facet. To see that happening over a two-year period is pretty cool to see.

“I think for all of us, you can work as hard as you can for as long as you can, but unfortunately, we’re in the business of winning.

“If you don’t win, it doesn’t really matter what you do or how hard you work.

“For us, it’s all about winning, because then that's when all the hard work pays off.”

Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs will miss the upcoming two-match series against Zimbabwe as they are rested.

Captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain, while Lungi Ngidi will only be available for the second Test in Bulawayo.