Elgar tips young Proteas to be Test power

Dean Elgar believes his young South African side could become a formidable team after they beat England by an innings and 12 runs in the first Test at Lord's.

South Africa's bowling attack proved as venomous as had been expected but the inexperienced top six batting line-up also played their part in an unexpected victory inside three days.

"Everything has been a work in progress since I've taken over the captaincy but I always felt the core of the group had the basic fundamentals to one day become a world-renowned Test side," Elgar told a post-match news conference.

Elgar said the players had grown in experience over the past 18 months into a winning collective. 

They have won eight of 10 Tests against the West Indies, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh since the 35-year-old took over as captain in March 2021.

"They've put the individual stuff aside and actually focused on the team," said Elgar.

"I'd like to think what we've laid down as a foundation has been pretty true and pretty solid. 

"Our team goals are not unrealistic but pretty achievable. We are a special bunch and we play bloody good cricket when we're doing well."

Elgar hailed the batting as "pretty sturdy" but labelled the bowling attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and spinner Keshjav Maharaj, as "brilliant".

South Africa began the day on 7-289 in response to England's first innings 165 and went on to score 326 for a handsome 161-run lead.

They then bowled England out in less than 40 overs for 149 to wrap up the victory before the tea interval.

"I did not wake up this morning thinking that I'd be doing a press conference before five o'clock," he joked.

"It was a pretty special squad performance. 

"We haven't left any stone unturned so far and hopefully we don't go into a comfort zone … no, well, I'm definitely not going to let us go into a comfort zone, because I know what complacency can do in international sport.

"But we need to enjoy these moments, we did it at a really unique place and it's special for a lot of guys that haven't experienced Lord's before."

South Africa's next Test assignment after the remaining two matches against England is a three-Test series in Australia in December-January, which will be a clash of the two top-ranked sides in the World Test Championship.

Men's Vodafone Test Series v South Africa

Dec 17-21: First Test, the Gabba, 10:20am

Dec 26-30: Second Test, MCG, 10:30am

Jan 4-8: Third Test, SCG, 10:30am

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