During the second one-day international between England and South Africa, while Anrich Nortje was unleashing thunderbolts in the Manchester gloom, Jonathan Agnew, the BBC’s main commentator, pondered the Proteas’ seemingly unending supply of fast bowling skill. Several variables were mentioned, but just one was cited as the key cause: “raw meat-consuming Afrikaners.”
Agnew then sought a collective name for these boorish sailors who begin consuming biltong as infants. Andy Zaltzman, a statistician for the BBC whose father is South African, suggested the phrase “herd.”
Agnew and Zaltsman were complimenting one another. They admired, as opposed to ridiculed, these great athletes. The Afrikaans community places a high priority on athletic prowess which is readily apparent. It is frequently considered a contributing cause to the success of the Springboks rugby team, and the meat-eating stereotype is commonplace at braais (South African barbecues).
However, here’s the catch: Every joke depends on its setting. And it was a little irritating to hear two British men with extremely British accents discuss some of South Africa’s greatest fast bowlers in such flippant terms. As a native of South Africa, I was not alone.
Allan Donald, the alpha of the Afrikaans quicks who terrorized a generation of batters by taking 330 Test wickets at an average of 22.25 runs per, says, “I’ve heard it a thousand times, and sure, it does sound quite insulting.” “It still affects me occasionally. It diminishes the talent and tactical acumen required to become a successful bowler.”
No one could refute Donald’s ball-playing talent. Throughout his two decades as a professional, including a 13-year stay at Warwickshire where he claimed 536 first-class wickets, he was able to move the ball both ways, hit any length on command, and develop various slower balls. Nevertheless, even he had to fight prejudices.
“My county teammates would ask me, ‘What do you people eat down there?'” It felt elementary. But I realized it was largely intended positively. I elected to accept it on trust.”
Not that Donald completely rejects the theory. “You must be physically fit to bowl fast,” he adds, noting that many of the South African bowlers of the past 30 years, including Fanie de Villiers, Morne Morkel, and André Nel, were known for their strength and composure through the crease. The records of Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, and Kagiso Rabada cannot be explained by this explanation. What accounts for their success?
Vincent Barnes, Cricket South Africa’s high-performance manager and a former slinging fast bowler whose greatest years were spent in the “non-white” leagues of apartheid South Africa, thinks that conditions are the most crucial aspect. We can train quick bowlers from a young age due to the durability of South African wickets and the fact that they do not fall apart.
In addition to their abilities, South Africans acquire profound respect for this primitive craft of bouncing decks. According to Barnes, captains and coaches are more inclined to give an inexperienced batsman a second set if they allow runs in the first. Expensive spinners and probing medium-pacers are not granted the same tolerance.
“It’s a matter of mindset,” Donald explains. “Across all South African communities, there is an attitude that says, ‘You’re not going to beat me.'” We’re aggressive. It is in the genes. We want to be the protagonist. It is exciting to remove stumps from the ground and hit someone in the head. Not everyone is capable. When bowling with actual velocity, you feel invincible.
Since South Africa’s readmission to Test cricket in 1992, Steyn, Pollock, Ntini, and Donald are among the top 10 wicket-takers for seam bowlers. England has two with Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. No other team possesses multiple. This is one reason why opening batters in South Africa have the lowest average of any country that has hosted many Tests. Surprisingly, the aggregate average of South African fast bowlers – 26.58 – is higher than all of their peers except Ireland’s, even though they have only played three matches in this time frame.
However, when playing in England, this average increases to 31.04, which is worse than Australia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and the hosts. On softer surfaces, it is common knowledge that bowlers must utilize a broader length. Is this incompatible with the masculine South African ideology?
Donald, who averaged 23.62 in England and bowled one of the most hostile stints ever against Michael Atherton at Trent Bridge in 1998, states, “That was never an issue for me.” “Regardless of the length I bowled, I wanted to strike it with force. I was never required to modify my attitude or pace. I consistently maintained the ball’s momentum. Nortje and Rabada may alter their length, but they will continue to perform with remarkable ferocity.
South Africa will be fueled by something other than overcooked beef as they attempt to halt a streak of three consecutive series losses against England. “We’ve always taken a personal approach against them,” Donald says. “We were continually told that Lord’s was hallowed and that this was where the game began. We jokingly referred to England as our Ashes. The fact that we defeated them at their house meant the world to us. This present group will experience identical emotions.”
