Anrich Nortje has opened up about his long-awaited return to the Proteas Test environment, admitting he gets “goosebumps” thinking about potentially wearing his Test cap again.
After several years away from the format, Nortje has returned to South Africa’s Test setup ahead of the three-match home series against Australia.
For the fast bowler, a return to Test cricket has always remained part of the plan – even if getting back has taken longer than he initially hoped.
“It’s been a few years. It’s always been in the plan to be back. It’s taken a bit longer than I was really hoping for.
“Obviously, things happened over the past few years, but it’s really nice to be back. It’s exciting. It’s nice to be bowling with the red ball again, and to be with the boys and just the environment.”
Nortje is enjoying being back around the Test group and expects the intensity to increase as the first Test approaches.
“We spoke about it earlier, it’s quite relaxed at the moment, and we’re sure things are going to ramp up, but it’s just really nice to be here with the guys and to be working on X, Y and Z.
“It’s just fun. I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s only been a few days, but I’m looking forward to the next few weeks.”
‘I’m actually getting goosebumps’
Nortje’s last Test appearance came several years ago, but his desire to play the longest format has remained.
The prospect of potentially wearing his Test cap again clearly carries significant meaning for the 32-year-old.
“I’m actually getting goosebumps, as I said. I think it’s something really special. I’ve seen that cap lay in the house quite a bit over the years.
“It’s just something you look forward to again. I think growing up, it’s something you wanted to play. It’s a format you wanted to play.
“It’s the motivation when you train. You don’t think of the tough times in T20 cricket. You just think about executing skills there, where you think about the tough times, the good times, the hard work.
“I think that gets you through some sessions as well at home.”
For now, Nortje is simply grateful that the cap is travelling with him again.
“I’m definitely very excited if I can put it on. That would be obviously number one.
“I’m just excited to be at least having it with me on tour again and not at home.”
Preparing specifically for red-ball cricket
While Nortje has spent a significant period away from Test cricket, his preparation has not solely revolved around the white-ball game.
He revealed that red-ball bowling has been a deliberate part of his training for some time.
“My prep quite some time back has been red ball.
“It’s been quite a bit of a focus for me to try and execute skills with the red ball, to build loads gradually and in the right way, but to try and get the overs up and execute skills with the red ball.
“It’s something that I’ve been doing for quite some time, whether it’s on my own or whatever it might be.”
Importantly, Nortje has not simply been trying to return to the bowler he was when he last played Test cricket.
He wants to come back better.
“There’s been quite some effort put in to try and execute as best as I can with the red ball and upskill again.
“Not just upskill, but try and improve from where I left off.
“I think there was one or two things that was lacking that I wanted to improve.”
Nortje has been analysing his own action
Part of that process has involved Nortje taking greater responsibility for analysing his bowling.
He has continued working with coach Piet Botha, while also spending considerable time studying footage of himself.
“Since Warriors times and EP times, I’ve been working with Piet. He’s always been a good reference.
“There’s a lot of things recently that I’ve done on my own as well. I’ve never recorded myself as much. But yeah, I had the tripod put up, try and record, try and see where I can improve action-wise, skills-wise.”
One of the priorities has been developing an action that is more sustainable and repeatable.
“The stuff that I’ve been working on myself as well has been obviously alignments, trying to get the action better, stronger, more sustainable, more reliable.
“So there’s been a few things, and then obviously sending it through to Coach Piet and seeing the checkpoints, seeing if they all check out.”
Nortje has also made noticeable changes to his run-up, which he says have both technical and physical reasoning behind them.
“So far, it’s felt really good. It’s obviously been white ball and red ball in the nets, but it’s been feeling good.
“We had a few sessions out here in the middle as well, which it feels good. So it’s nice to bowl in the middle.
“Keen to see how it goes in the warm-up game that we’ve got as well.
“But yeah, so I do think things are moving in the right direction.”
Joining a Proteas side that has moved forward
Nortje returns to a Test team that has changed considerably during his time away.
Under Shukri Conrad, South Africa have enjoyed significant success, and Nortje has watched the team’s development from outside the Test setup.
“I think the way the team’s progressed over the last few years has been amazing under Coach Shukri Conrad as well.
“It’s been really good, the way they’ve played, the way they’ve gone about things.
“So excited to join up. Hopefully, I can just add one percent, two percent, whatever it might be to help the team at the end of the day.”
He is also returning to a bowling group where players who were once among the younger members have developed considerably.
“Last time, Plank [Marco Jansen] was the youngest in the team. He’s played a good few games.
“I haven’t thought too much about it. I think you just try and fit in where you’re needed and what’s needed on the day and just try and do your job.
“Obviously, the guys have grown quite a bit. They’ve played a lot. They’ve done really well. They’ve been successful.
“So hopefully, I can just add on to that.”
Unfinished business against Australia
There is also a personal element to Nortje’s return.
Australia are the opposition, and Nortje still remembers South Africa’s difficult Test tour Down Under in 2022/23.
Now Australia are coming to South Africa.
And Nortje has not forgotten.
“Very, very keen to get going and play and be on the park and try and do well for the country.
“I do think there’s just that little bit of extra X factor that comes out or fire that comes out, energy that comes out. Guys want to do well. Everyone wants to perform. It is a big series.”
For Nortje, there is an opportunity to settle some unfinished business.
“For me personally, we come from what I had in Australia.
“I always said we want to try and rectify that when we get them back home. So hopefully, that’s something we can do.
“It was a tough series. I enjoyed the series, learned a lot from it, but we wanted to get them in South Africa and do well.
“So that’s really what’s still in my head.”
After years of seeing his Test cap lying at home, Nortje now has it with him again.
The next step is earning the opportunity to put it back on.
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