Shukri Conrad expecting stern test for Proteas against Zimbabwe

The two nations faced each other in an unofficial match in London just before the World Test Championship, but it unfortunately rained out with hardly one full day played.

Conrad says it’s natural that any team facing the world champions will raise their game significantly, and expects nothing different from their neighbours. 

"In terms of the prep, it's gone really well – I think Zimbabwe will present a really good challenge, they battle hard and they've played a lot of Test cricket this year, and they're a proud cricketing nation, who play well in Zimbabwe," said Conrad.

"I think every team we play against will be chomping at the bit to have a go at the world champions, so we're expecting a massive challenge.

"But, from our side, it's helluva exciting – fresh blood, the excitement in the group and guys obviously wanting to build on what we did a couple of weeks ago, so we're looking forward to that challenge."

READ: Maphaka to lead Proteas bowling attack in first Test against Zimbabwe

Keshav Maharaj will captain the team in the absence of regular skipper Temba Bavuma, who’s nursing a hamstring strain sustained against Australia, and Conrad says their frontline spinner was the obvious choice for the job.

"Kesh obviously brings the experience, he's been around for a while and he's one of the leading lights in our Test side, and you still need the experience – you need a calm head," he noted.

"And it was an absolute no-brainer when Temba wasn't able to make the trip that 'Kesh' was going to be the captain – he obviously understands and knows, because he plays so much first class cricket, a lot of these guys.

"He would have played either with or against these guys, so he doesn't need to familiarise himself with their games in any way, and he knows exactly what they're about."