Despite their scars of hope, this hastily assembled South African team leaves New Zealand with their pride intact. But it is unlikely that several of these players will feature in another Test.
Fortunately, the two-Test tour of New Zealand has come to an end for the South African team. Although no one explicitly expressed this sentiment, it is likely that they were all relieved. As expected, they were defeated.
The South African team consisted of eight uncapped players, including the captain, and was considered no match for the unbeaten New Zealand side in home series since 2017, when they were defeated by South Africa. The South African team managed to beat Australia at home for the first time since readmission. Although this team may never play together again, they carry with them one of the game's biggest what-ifs. They threatened to pull off an upset for the ages when they took a lead against New Zealand and floated the possibility of keeping their record of never losing a Test series to New Zealand intact.
Neil Brand, South Africa's stand-in captain, said he is very disappointed at the moment.
Brand's words suggest that it's the shards of hope that cut the deepest. South Africa were completely outplayed in the first Test and lost by 281 runs. In the first innings of the second Test, they scored 242, which was adequate but not exceptional. But they then dragged themselves back into contention, bowling out New Zealand for 211 to leave them in a strong position at 202 for 4. Unfortunately, a collapse of 6 for 33 left them with a lead of 266, and although they had New Zealand 53 for 2, the flames of possibility were soon extinguished by Kane Williamson, bringing them back to reality.
Paterson will return to domestic cricket with Western Province and counties with Nottinghamshire. Piedt will go back to North Carolina and to his life on the circuit of the American League. It is unlikely that either of them will play Test cricket again. The same can be said for 37-year-old leg-spinner Shaun von Berg, wicketkeeper-batter Clyde Fortuin, and probably Tshepo Moreki and Duanne Olivier as well. As for the others, before the series,
Brand expressed his interest in replacing the retired Dean Elgar. Although he showed potential, he did not perform well enough to suggest an immediate promotion. His leadership was sometimes confusing, and his decision not to bowl himself in Hamilton, despite taking eight wickets in the first Test, was a mystery even to Conrad, who called it 'somewhat surprising'. It seems he has not made a strong enough case, although he hopes to be considered in the future.
He may end up competing with Edward Moore, who scored 23 in the first Test, for a squad place in the future. But it is likely that South Africa will look to Tony de Zorzi to open the batting. Raynard van Tonder, who was at one point considered an actual prospect for the national team, especially following his top-class run charts in 2019-20, has disappointed in this series. On his debut, he cannot be blamed for feeling nervous. At 25, he still has time to make a comeback.
Zubayr Hamza and Keegan Petersen may be disappointed because this was their opportunity to secure a place in the first-choice Test side, but they did not. Hamza occupied the crease well, but his scoring rate was too slow. Petersen failed to capitalise on his starts. Ruan de Swardt performed better than both of his counterparts with a fighting first-innings score of 64 in the second Test. However, it is difficult to see how South Africa will find a place for him in their first XI.
Only David Bedingham, whose century created the opportunity to unsettle New Zealand, can be certain that he will play Tests in the near future. Conrad said that Bedingham showed glimpses against India, but on this tour, he demonstrated that he is a cut above, certainly of the group we have here.
South Africa may only have gained one measurable benefit from this tour, but they also leave with something that cannot be quantified: their pride. They depart with it fully intact.
Some may argue that not rescheduling these Tests and sending this squad was not a good advertisement for Test cricket, and they have a point. But the importance of the SA20 to South African cricket is well documented, as are the efforts of the CSA in asking the NZC to move the series. It was NZC's right not to do so, and the board acted accordingly. In the end, in the great tradition of South African resourcefulness, South Africa had to 'make a plan', and they did. The plan nearly succeeded. Its failure is probably a relief, and they hope to avoid similar situations in the future.