No WTC hangover for Proteas, says Mulder, ahead of Test clash against Zimbabwe

CAPE TOWN - The Proteas are ready to return to Test cricket this weekend as they battle Zimbabwe fresh off winning the World Test Championship (WTC). 

Wiaan Mulder explained that the squad’s performance won’t be affected as a result of players being rested after their WTC win.

"It's a new squad, firstly. I think there's a lot of guys here that want to prove a point, why they're here, I mean how well they've played over the last couple of domestic seasons to get here, so the squad won't worry too much about happened with the WTC, we're really excited about the Test coming up. I know that someone like [Corbin] Bosch bowled thunderbolts today, so it's really exciting to see them so excited to go and play in a Test match against Zimbabwe even though it's not part of the cycle."

Mulder lifted the lid on what some of the celebrations were like after returning from their triumph at Lord’s.

"The celebrations have been awesome. I think we spent a bit of time together once we got back and afer the Test in England we spent time with our families and the people that matter most to us, I guess, so, when comes to celebrations it was the best that I've ever celebrated for a Test win and probably the biggest Test in my life, so I really, really loved it and made sure we cashed in from our side."

The 27-year-old revealed that the squad was excited by the prospect of taking on Zimbabwe in the longest format of the game.

"They're really strong competitors and they've done so over the last while. So, it's not going to be a walk in the park and if you're not up for it, you're going to get it handed to you, so I think overall, it's a new group and the guys are ready to go."

Mulder also revealed the mindset in the Proteas camp after being crowned as world Test champions.

"The conversations we've had as a squad already leans towards, doesn't really matter what team is representing South Africa, that is the best time at the time and we look at ourselves as world champions. That's the standard we've set for ourselves, even at today's practice, everybody has that in the back of their mind, that we're training like we're the best in the world, not like we're train to become something new. We compete in every practice."

The first Test starts on 28 June and the second is scheduled for 6-10 July.

Both matches will be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

South Africa squad:

David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf