India, June 19 -- South Africa's emphatic World Test Championship victory at Lord's has done more than silence critics. As the Proteas returned home to a hero's welcome at OR Tambo International Airport, head coach Shukri Conrad delivered a strong response to the narrative that his team had taken an easier route to the final.

Much of the pre-final chatter, particularly from sections of the Australian and UK media, questioned the Proteas' credentials. Critics pointed to South Africa's WTC fixtures, alleging they had not faced enough of the 'Big Three' - India, Australia, and England - to justify their place in the final. This, despite the Proteas having played India earlier in the WTC cycle.

Conrad, however, wasn't interested in debating...