It is their first series win in India since Hansie Cronje’s team achieved the feat in March 2000 with legends like Jacques Kallis Shaun Pollock Gary Kirsten and Allan Donald in the ranks. This group has now written its own chapter and there is plenty to unpack from a landmark tour.
1. Temba Bavuma is quite special
Many players shone in this series but Bavuma deserves a spotlight of his own. His unbeaten 55 in the second innings in Kolkata was worth far more than the number suggests. On that surface it was the equivalent of a century and it gave the Proteas the platform they needed to bowl for the win. While the bowlers dismantled India for 93 Bavuma’s knock created the window for victory.
His leadership deserves equal praise. As Test captain he remains undefeated with eleven wins and a draw from twelve matches. Calm understated and absolutely in control Bavuma has grown into one of South Africa’s most influential skippers. The Proteas are a sharper more complete side when he is out there.
2. That declaration
Declarations often spark debate and this one was no different. Could it have come earlier? Possibly. Yet Bavuma had every reason to bat long into day four. A draw would still win the series so caution made sense. He also considered the advantage of two cracks with a new ball the swing late in the day and the chance to break India mentally. India kept waiting for the declaration and it never came when they expected. By the time it did the game was gone and their belief had faded completely.
3. Markram’s catching feat
Aiden Markram pulled off something extraordinary with nine catches in the match. It was almost overlooked because of Marco Jansen’s brilliance but the numbers speak loudly. No fielder had ever taken nine catches in a Test and only eight wicketkeepers in history have bettered that tally. His hands at slip were simply outstanding.
4. Two Test series are not good enough
It remains baffling that South Africa still play two match series. India Australia and England enjoy long five Test blockbusters yet the reigning World Test Champions often get two game scraps. Test cricket deserves room to breathe and three Test series offer richer storylines and more complexity. The Proteas have earned that stage.
5. An embarrassment of riches
Like Cape Town residents who forget the beauty of Table Mountain Proteas fans might be starting to take their team for granted. They won this series without Kagiso Rabada. They left out Senuran Muthusamy in the first Test despite him being Player of the Series in Pakistan. When he returned he scored a maiden century. Talent keeps bubbling up with David Bedingham Dewald Brevis Lu handre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch waiting for their turns. There is quality everywhere and in the Bavuma and Shukri Conrad era someone always steps up.
6. Doing things the right way
While the Ashes opener collapsed in under two days the Proteas delivered a lesson in balanced Test cricket. They knew when to dig in and when to attack. Jansen’s 93 from 91 balls came at exactly the right time and Stubbs’ patient 49 from 112 set the base earlier. It was smart cricket not reckless cricket that won them this series.
7. How good is this India team really?
A series win in India is huge no matter the era. Yet this Indian side is still in transition. They have quality with Bumrah Jadeja and several top ranked players, but they do not have the aura of the generations led by Tendulkar Dravid Laxman or the later group with Kohli Pujara and Ashwin. This young unit might grow into greatness but right now their biggest threats feel stronger in white ball cricket than in Tests.
South Africa was exceptional and deserved everything they earned in this historic tour.