South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl is looking for more consistency from his players if they are to become the best team in the world.
Coach wants to see South Africans reach their full potential
South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl is looking for more consistency from his players if they are to become the best team in the world.
The Proteas failed to deliver on the tour of India where they drew the Test series 1-1 before losing the one-dayers 2-1.
The side is currently second behind India in the ICC Test rankings and third in ODIs, and van Zyl, who took over the reins following Mickey Arthur's shock resignation in January, believes they must start taking their opportunities.
"It is a concern we could play so well to win the first Test in Nagpur, and then we let ourselves down badly in Kolkata," he said. "In one session, we gave the advantage away.
"Consistency is the key if we want to get to number one and stay there. We also need to win the big moments, and that means staying calm in pressure situations.
"The players must be calm and able to think clearly so they can execute the game plan under that sort of pressure. Only then will the consistency change, and that is one of the big goals for me."
Satisfied
Van Zyl has now been handed the reins until the end of next year's World Cup and he is happy his future is now clarified.
"It was difficult, the team also felt the uncertainty," he added. "You can never underestimate the effect of this type of thing, but that's been put in place and is no longer something to worry about."
Assessing the trip to the sub-continent and looking ahead to the next 14 months, he is satisfied with what he has seen in the current group of players.
"I went there with a lot of guys that are probably going to represent South Africa next year," he said.
"I've come back with knowledge and information with regard to the squad, and with regard to the way certain individuals performed under certain conditions.
"I think we have laid down the first building block in starting to build something new and hopefully something more consistent going towards the World Cup."
