Head coach Shukri Conrad says the national cricket team will take a lot of inspiration from the Proteas Women and Bafana Bafana ahead of the two-match Test series in New Zealand.

It has now been well documented that the Proteas men’s team will take on the Black Caps in the two Test matches without most of the first-choice players who stayed back to compete in the ongoing SA20.

The Proteas Women are on their own tour Down Under and made history after beating top-ranked Australia in an international clash for the first time in the second T20 and then ran the hosts close again before going down in the series decider.

The national men’s football team also pulled off a shock when they dug deep to see off continental powerhouse Morocco 2-0 to move into the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) where they will face Cape Verde on Saturday.

While the Proteas will be going into the Test series against New Zealand as heavy underdogs, Conrad is certainly keeping an eye on the other national sporting codes hoping they can replicate their success.

The national Test coach said: “I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration from our women’s team beating Australia for the first time and watching Bafana Bafana get through the last 16 (against Morocco at AFCON). 

“It was the first time a women’s team beat Australia in Australia and that is a massive thing for any Proteas side – men, women or U19. 

“All of those things keep me awake and get me up early in the morning. We watch our national teams and we take a lot of pride in that.”

Conrad was speaking after his charges had completed a three-day practice match against an invitation side made up of players in the New Zealand provincial system.

The match itself petered out to a draw with Conrad explaining that he is happy with how preparations have gone ahead of the first Test that starts in Mount Maunganui on Sunday at midnight South African time.

Conrad added: “We were just chatting earlier as a coaching group that we’ve prepped particularly well for this tour.

“It started with a ‘A’ series against West Indies late last year already. The facilities here in Lincoln have been nothing short of brilliant and the New Zealand folks have been so accommodating.

“We’ve got a good feel as a group and we’re as well prepared as we’ll ever be. It is now about getting to Mount Maunganui and applying the finishing touches.”