The recent performances by SA Emerging showed evidence of a promising future for young talent coming through. 

The final CSA Emerging four-day match ended in a draw at Tuks Oval, handing SA Emerging a 1-0 series win.

The South Africans ended runners-up to USSA XI in the one-day triangular series, which also included Sri Lanka, losing their final match to USSA by six wickets.

The conclusion of the series marked the end for the National Academy who spent three months together.

‘It’s been a long three months but it’s been great,’ Conrad said. ‘As a coach you see these boys grow every day and the tour by Sri Lanka, including the Tri-Series one-dayers, gave me the opportunity to see how that has happened.

‘For them to see themselves grow was great. Very often you come to an academy and you expect these silver bullets that you’re going to fire at them and then they walk away great players…it’s not about that.

‘It’s about them finding out a bit more about themselves, learning about the game and constantly learning on the job. That’s the big thing for me. So I’m really happy.’

There were many outstanding performances throughout the tour. In the final Test, Karabo Mogotsi scored a superb unbeaten 205, Marques Ackerman hit 156 and Bjorn Fortuin bagged 4-97.

Fortuin also starred in the first Test match with match figures of 13-201 and together with Jason Smith’s 124 and 87, inspired a memorable win for SA A.

Conrad also thanked others that were part of the three-month camp.

‘I’ve had a fantastic management team,’ he added. ‘Andre Nel is my assistant and he keeps things entertained in these long three months.

‘But as for the players, I’m thrilled with the way things have panned out. I think they go back for a week now before the season-proper starts for them. I go and have a little bit of a break.’

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images