Who would have thought that when the South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test began, with only 43 overs bowled across the first two days, a result would still be possible? But Temba Bavuma and Co. had other plans. And the most interesting part is that South Africa won the match despite being reduced to 20-2 on Day 1, 97-5 on Day 2, and 110-6 at the start of Day 3.
Then came the Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma, and the main architect of their remarkable turnaround was none other than their captain himself. He led from the front, built crucial partnerships with Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer, and took South Africa to a total of 425-9. Bavuma scored a career-best 179 and turned a match around in a situation where almost two days of cricket had barely taken place.
And this was not easy because South Africa were not just fighting Australia. They were fighting their favourite friend, rain, along with the bad light and lack of time that came with it. I don’t think I need to remind you about the long history between South Africa and rain.
The Proteas were almost robbed by rain. And if it happens, it could not have been the first time they were robbed by rain. But they managed to turn the match in their favour in technically less than three days of cricket.
Across all three innings, the match saw only 276.4 overs in total. That means if we consider 90 overs a day, the match had just over 270 overs, or roughly three days’ worth of cricket.
Australia won the toss again after the first Test and decided to bowl first this time. Rain was expected over the first two days; the conditions were overcast and cloudy, and the game kept stopping and starting. It was not an easy situation for the batters.
When only 12.2 overs were bowled on Day 1, South Africa were sitting at 20-2. On Day 2, another 30.4 overs were bowled, and South Africa were reduced to 97-5. At one point, when Mitchell Starc dismissed Wiaan Mulder with a sharp bouncer, it felt as if South Africa might lose this match too.
But South African captain Temba Bavuma used his technique, temperament, and resilience to pull his team out of this difficult situation. He applied himself, and South Africa did what Australia had done in the first innings of the Durban Test.
Australia had also recovered from 124-6 in the first innings of the first Test to score 390 runs. Here, South Africa went a step further. From 110-6, they scored 425 runs, and they were not even bowled out. After losing nine wickets, they declared on their own terms.
But the challenge was simple: where was the time?
After the declaration, South Africa managed only one more over from a pace bowler, and Kagiso Rabada dismissed Nic Maddinson in the very first over of his comeback. Because of bad light, the spinners bowled a few overs. However, South Africa did not persist with that tactic for too long because they did not want to waste the new ball.
Now, they had two days left and needed to bowl Australia out twice.
The pitch offered assistance to the bowlers with the new ball, but once it became old, batting became easier. However, South Africa produced extraordinary bowling in the first innings and bowled Australia out for just 99 runs.
Kagiso Rabada started the proceedings late on Day 3, and Marco Jansen picked up a five-wicket haul, while Wiaan Mulder and Anrich Nortje also chipped in with important wickets.
South Africa had now given themselves a chance to enforce the follow-on. But in between, news emerged that Anrich Nortje might have suffered a groin injury and would not be able to bowl again.
That meant South Africa were one bowler short, and the missing bowler was an out-and-out wicket-taker and one of their main pace spearheads.
Tired bowlers, tired legs, one bowler short, and a battle against rain, bad light, and time.
South Africa had little choice, so they enforced the follow-on. But the time left was now a major concern. They had runs on the board and a lead of 326 runs.
In the second innings, Kagiso Rabada once again struck with the new ball, dismissing Nic Maddinson. But then a partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head started to develop.
They were batting well, and it began to feel as if Australia could take the match to the end of Day 4. That would increase the possibility of a draw on Day 5.
But then came Simon Harmer’s spell.
Marnus Labuschagne, who has been running out of chances, lost his patience and got out. That opened the door for South Africa once again. Steve Smith did not come out to bat because of a neck issue, Kagiso Rabada bowled out Matt Renshaw, the hero of the previous match, and Simon Harmer dismissed Beau Webster.
Australia were 156-4, and a defeat on Day 5 was now a real possibility.
And then came what perhaps no South African fan would have expected. Or maybe they could have, considering how old the relationship between South Africa and rain is.
South Africa Were Almost Robbed by Rain… Again
You might be wondering what I am talking about. You are right. I am talking about rain.
Day 5 began with rain. It came, it stopped, and a new start time was announced. But just when the game was about to begin, rain made another appearance.
This happened multiple times. The rain would arrive, stop, and then return just before play could start, forcing the covers to come back on.
The entire first session was washed out.
Suddenly, Australia must have started feeling hopeful too. One session was already gone. They just needed to survive two more sessions, show a little application, and the match could end in a draw. They would retain their 1-0 series lead, while South Africa’s hopes of winning the series would be gone. On top of that, South Africa would lose valuable World Test Championship points.
Play finally began at 12 PM local time, and guess what? Travis Head and nightwatchman Scott Boland started building a partnership.
They kept batting, and batting, and batting for a long time.
And if Scott Boland could bat like that, it meant the pitch was not playing tricks on the batters to such an extent that South Africa could simply come out and run through Australia’s batting order.
Now, South Africa’s hope rested on the new ball.
Because throughout this match, and indeed this entire series, we had seen how the bowlers received help from the new ball. But as soon as it became old, batting became easier.
However, Wiaan Mulder stepped up with his impeccable line and length and helped South Africa dismiss the dangerous Travis Head before the new ball was even available.
At one point, the situation had become such that South Africa not only needed wickets, but also had to make sure Australia did not score too many runs. If Australia kept scoring, South Africa’s lead would shrink, leaving them with less time and potentially something to chase, depending on how things unfolded. The uncertainty surrounding bad light would only increase the anxiety among South African fans.
And Travis Head was someone who could score runs quickly.
But Wiaan Mulder took responsibility for dismissing him and kept troubling the other batters too.
He continued bowling that probing line and length, getting the ball to nibble and move off the pitch.
Before the new ball arrived, Australia had lost their fifth wicket.
Then came Steve Smith, and Kagiso Rabada, his long-time rival, had the new ball in his hands.
It was not an excessively short delivery, nor was it directed at Smith’s body. But Smith tried to pull a relatively short ball from outside off stump. The ball went high into the air, and Matthew Breetzke juggled it before completing the catch on his second attempt.
But Scott Boland just refused to get out, while Alex Carey continued to support him.
More time passed, and the match moved into the final session.
South Africa needed four more wickets.
And once again, Wiaan Mulder stepped up. He dismissed Scott Boland with an absolute peach of a delivery and then sent Pat Cummins back to the pavilion.
South Africa were now just two wickets away from completing a memorable victory.
But hold on. Was there another anti-climax waiting to happen?
Suddenly, clouds started gathering around St George’s Park. The commentators began pointing out that it was getting darker, and ground staff started gathering near the covers, ready to run into action if the rain returned.
And if South Africa failed to bowl Australia out, it would almost feel like a defeat for them. It would be hugely demoralising after all the hard work they had put in.
But then Temba Bavuma brought out his Rolls-Royce, Kagiso Rabada.
Rabada struck immediately, dismissing Mitchell Starc with an inswinging delivery that sent his stumps flying.
South Africa were now just one wicket away.
Marco Jansen completed the formalities by dismissing Josh Hazlewood, and South Africa won the match by an innings and 31 runs. You can check the full scoreboard of this match HERE.
Leaving the setback in Durban behind, South Africa levelled the series 1-1. Everything is now to play for in Cape Town.
Temba Bavuma and South Africa created a result in a Test match where, at one point, it seemed almost impossible that there would be one at all.
There were different heroes standing up at different moments. Marco Jansen’s counterattack, Simon Harmer’s fight with the bat, Kagiso Rabada’s performance on his comeback, and Wiaan Mulder’s persistence in bowling that wicket-to-wicket line and length all played their part.
And a big shout-out to Lord Temba Bavuma, who reminded everyone why he is a World Test Championship-winning captain. He has also led South Africa to a series victory in India.
Now, we hope that South Africa carry this performance into Cape Town and win the series.
The Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma, showed grit, resilience, and determination. They fought against rain, fought against Australia, and eventually handed the Aussies an innings defeat.
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It was a treat to watch. What more could Test cricket fans ask for?
Hoping for another great contest in Cape Town. What do you think about this South African victory? Let us know in the comments.
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