South Africa’s Test squad has made a significant turnaround, rebounding from a heavy 214-run defeat in the Kingsmead series opener to force a deciding match. The hosts secured an emphatic victory by an innings and 31 runs at St George’s Park on Thursday, setting the stage for the final clash at Newlands starting October 27. Not least because of their own lack of application, they lost at Kingsmead by 214 runs last week. Which starts on Tuesday (October 27), yet they won by an innings and 31 runs on Thursday to level the series heading into the decider at Newlands. Which planet do these people come from and how do we get there. It’s unfair, actually, to expect cricketers to explain the how and why of what they do.
The victory was hard-fought, particularly given the team’s precarious position earlier in the match. The Proteas had slumped to 97/5 after two truncated days and were struggling at 110/6 the following day before mounting a resilient response. Captain Temba Bavuma led from the front, scoring a career-best 179 to steer his side to a declaration of 425/9. His efforts were bolstered by crucial partnerships, including a 132-run stand with Marco Jansen and a 183-run stand with Simon Harmer.
Reflecting on the pressure following the Durban loss, Bavuma acknowledged the scrutiny his team faced. “It was a spirited effort from us,” he told a press conference. “A lot was asked of us after the first Test in Durban. The biggest question was the character or the mentality of the team. Over the course of the five days, we’ve addressed that. When things were tough, we managed to dig deep, stay in the game and, most importantly, get the result in our favour.” Temba Bavuma doesn’t have the luxury of leaving question-marks hanging in breathless air.
The captain emphasized a disciplined approach to their strategy. “We have our plans and we try to stick to as close as we can to them,” Bavuma explained. “We adapt to what is happening and we know how to go about our business. We trust that, if we can be close to our strengths, we’ll be able to play to our best.”
Bavuma also shared his personal vulnerability during tense moments on the field. When Steven Smith skewed a catch into the windy conditions towards midwicket, the skipper admitted he had to look away. “I was very nervous at that time. High catching at St George’s Park can be tough, especially when the wind is blowing like that. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me.” So it was endearing and reassuring to hear Bavuma reveal what was going through his mind when Steven Smith pulled at Kagiso Rabada and sent a top edge swirling and spiralling into the pumping westerly wind and towards midwicket on Thursday, when Matthew Breetzke needed two grabs to make sure of the catch.
Wiaan Mulder played a pivotal role in maintaining pressure on the Australians. He claimed the key wickets of Travis Head—who had anchored the visitors’ follow-on with a five-hour 121—as well as nightwatchman Scott Boland, who contributed 40, and Pat Cummins. “The biggest chat among us is how you can be as good as you can be,” Bavuma said regarding the squad’s philosophy. “Wiaan is a different character to everyone else. He feeds off confidence. Once he’s in that space he can play freely.” Who anchored Australia’s follow-on innings by batting for more than five hours for his 121, nightwatch Scott Boland, who hung around for longer than thre, but Mulder managed by taking the important wickets of Travis Head.
The bowling unit also saw strong performances from Marco Jansen, who took 5/33 in the first innings, and Kagiso Rabada, who claimed 4/77 in the second to help dismiss Australia for 99 and 295 respectively.
Bavuma concluded by stressing the importance of authenticity for his players behind closed doors. “When you front up to the media you try to keep a steely face,” he noted. “But when you’re alone in your room you can’t lie to yourself. We will take the confidence and belief from this performance. We will look after it.”
