In this exclusive interview with PakPassion, former South African bowling great Vernon Philander breaks down the Proteas' come-from-behind Test series draw against Pakistan. The fearsome pacer-turned-analyst reveals the secret behind South Africa's mental toughness, heaps praise on the spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, and gives a blunt assessment of where Pakistan lost the plot. He also compares the stability of the Cricket South Africa setup with the volatility of the PCB — and much more.
By Saj Sadiq (October 25, 2025)
In this exclusive interview with PakPassion, former South African bowling great Vernon Philander breaks down the Proteas' come-from-behind Test series draw against Pakistan. The fearsome pacer-turned-analyst reveals the secret behind South Africa's mental toughness, heaps praise on the spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, and gives a blunt assessment of where Pakistan lost the plot. He also compares the stability of the Cricket South Africa setup with the volatility of the PCB — and much more.
Key topics include:
South Africa’s Mental Edge: He emphasized that mental toughness is deeply embedded in South African sporting culture, reflected in their ability to bounce back and perform under challenging subcontinental conditions.
Keshav Maharaj’s Work Ethic: He praised the dedication of spinner Keshav Maharaj, noting that he is always the first to bowl in the mornings, showcasing his commitment to the game.
South Africa’s Lower-Order Firepower: He highlighted how runs from the tail have become a consistent strength in South Africa’s cricketing success.
Pakistan's Missed Chances: He pointed out that Pakistan had a critical opportunity to dominate South Africa but failed to capitalize on it, which allowed South Africa to come back into the contest.
PCB’s Talent Mismanagement: He offered a blunt assessment of the PCB, stating the issue lies in how talent is handled, not its availability.
Upcoming White-Ball Series Preview: He expressed excitement for the upcoming white-ball series in Pakistan, predicting it will be an exciting contest.
Watch the full interview with Saj here:
“Lower-order runs is something we really pride ourselves in”: Vernon Philander
