SA U-19s build towards title defence

It may be too soon after the 2015 World Cup to start thinking about South Africa and major tournaments but that's what the country's under-19 side has had to do. They have begun plotting the defence of the trophy they won last February, with a new-look squad under a new coach Lawrence Mahatlane. He believes they are in the process of "getting the right mix" to retain their title, despite their recent defeat to Bangladesh.

South Africa U-19 returned last week from a 1-6 defeat in Bangladesh, a margin that does not appear to inspire confidence. But for Mahatlane, who was appointed last April, it will form the foundation of their preparation for next year's tournament.

"If you look at the scoreline only, obviously 1-6 doesn't look good but if you actually look at the scorecards, with the exception of two games, we were competitive throughout," Mahatlane told ESPNcricinfo. "Even after losing the series, to take it to the last over in the last match, just shows the character of the team."

Four of the seven matches in the series were decided in the last over, including the only game South Africa won. For much of it, South Africa seemed more cagey than confident as they tried to understand unfamiliar conditions.

They scored over 200 three times, without one total over 250. By contrast, Bangladesh had six totals over 200 and two greater than 250. South Africa were only bowled out twice in the series but also only managed to bowl their opposition out twice. On each of the four occasions South Africa chased, they were unsuccessful. It was more about learning how to construct innings than dominating, and testing out bowling strategies than aggression. In that regard, Mahatlane was pleased with what he saw.

"Out of the 339 overs we faced, around 270 of those were spin and it was part of the exercise to get used to that," Mahatlane said. "And our own spinners adjusted well."

Offspinner Dean Foxcroft and left-arm spinner Sean Whitehead were South Africa's second and fourth highest wicket-takers with eight and six scalps. They had more to report from a batting perspective where Dayyaan Galiem shared the top run-scorers' spot with Nazmul Hossain. There were no centuries scored on either side but Galiem notched up three half-centuries in a total of 275 runs across the seven games at an average of 45.83.

Mahatlane said he could see Galiem's coming of age and earmarked him for a big future. "Dayyaan was first selected on an under-19 tour to India in 2013, when he was just 15, and then in the 2014 World Cup squad but got a serious knee injury that kept him out. He played the spinners with real maturity."

Galiem, now 18, is one of the senior members of a squad that looks very different to the side that lifted the trophy in the UAE. Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram, two of the stars of that tournament, are playing in the professional structures of South African cricket while the current under-19 crop included three players who are only 16.

"We've got a young side and a lot of talent coming through, especially talented allrounders," Mahatlane said. "There was some concern about finding allrounders in the future but we have quite a few about." Galiem is one, outgoing captain Sibonelo Makhanya another. Makhanya will not be eligible to play next year's under-19 World Cup because he will be over the age limit but he was taken on this tour to bulk the squad up with some experience.

Ultimately, the experience was what it was all about. They were confronted with realities far beyond cricket pitches in Bangladesh and exposed to cricket passion and celebrity on another level. "The Bangladesh Cricket Board looked after us the way they do with the Proteas, we stayed in the same hotels and had the same security," Mahatlane said. "At our first press conference, there were about 50 journalists and 10 television cameras and we got a lot of coverage throughout the tour. "

While South Africa were awed by the attention, Bangladesh's young cricketers seem to have become used to the expectation thrust on them and have learnt how to blossom under it. Following a successful World Cup, they also recorded a series win over Pakistan and Mahatlane can see the next generation could be stronger. "Bangladesh invest a lot in their cricket and it really looks like they are doing in the right direction," he said.

Exactly how far they have moved will be measured again mid-year, when Bangladesh under-19s will visit South Africa on a reciprocal tour. Mahatlane's men, who have under him lost series to both England and Bangladesh, will be desperate for some success in the lead-up to the World Cup.