Conrad recently joined the Springboks at their alignment camp in Cape Town, hoping to gain insights into what has driven the national rugby team to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.

Next month, South Africa will take on defending champions Australia at Lord’s in the WTC final. It’s a significant occasion for South African cricket. Beyond the substantial financial rewards, a victory would do wonders for the sport, finally securing a major world title at senior level after so many near misses over the years.

Conrad believes learning from those who’ve reached the pinnacle of their sport is key.

“For all of us, it’s been really inspiring,” he said. “If you look at the history of the Springboks and their recent achievements – two successive World Cups, with a shot at a third – they’re obviously doing a lot right. We’d like to see what that is, and learn from each other as well.”

He added that it wasn’t just about cricket learning from rugby, but about collaboration across sporting codes.

Rassie Erasmus with the Webb Ellis Trophy. Photo: X

“It’s great rubbing shoulders across different codes. It’s not only about coming here to learn from them – it’s also about sharing ideas. That was always the intention when Rassie Erasmus and I first started chatting – that cross-pollination of ideas, learning from one another.”

Conrad believes South African sport, as a whole, can only benefit from greater collaboration between different codes. One team’s success, he said, often inspires another.

“I really believe that. Rassie and I both agree that head coaches across sports should be spending more time together. I’d love to sit down with Hugo Broos (Bafana Bafana) or Desiree Ellis (Banyana Banyana) in the football space.

“I watch every Bafana Bafana match, and I even started following netball more closely during the World Cup. I know it’s a slogan, but ‘Stronger Together’ truly means something. National pride is shared across every code.

“Just a few weeks ago, watching our athletes in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays – the pride you feel being part of any South African team is unmatched, whether it’s the Springboks, Bafana Bafana, or the Proteas.

“There’s no better feeling than representing your country. The more we share ideas, the more time we spend together, the more we help each other – the better it will be for sport in South Africa and for the country as a whole.”

The 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord’s will take place from 11 to 15 June.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg