Now, with the trophy safely secured in their cabinet, the Proteas are determined to silence those critics by conquering the subcontinent’s toughest terrains.
They have already faced Pakistan and while they didn’t win the series, a 1–1 draw on brutal turning tracks was a commendable result, particularly after losing the toss in both matches. But Pakistan is one challenge; a Test series in India is another altogether.
Once again, the Proteas find themselves restricted to a two-match series, a disappointing format for a team of their calibre. Still, Temba Bavuma and his men can only focus on what’s in front of them, and what lies ahead is as tough an assignment as Test cricket offers.
To put things into perspective, South Africa’s last Test victory in India came 15 years ago, in February 2010. That triumph, by an innings and six runs in Nagpur featured unforgettable centuries from Hashim Amla (253) * and Jacques Kallis (173), and a ten-wicket haul from Dale Steyn against a star-studded Indian lineup that included Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and MS Dhoni.
Since that series, South Africa have played eight more Tests in India, losing seven and drawing one (in Bengaluru in 2015). The last two encounters both ended in innings defeats.
The Proteas know full well the size of the challenge, but if recent history is anything to go by, they’ll back themselves to find a way as they so often do.
A positive sign is that while several players will be playing their first Tests in India, they are far from strangers to the conditions.
Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Dewald Brevis are all familiar faces in the IPL, and that experience could prove invaluable when it comes to adapting to the demands of Test cricket on Indian soil.
Encouragingly, early reports suggest that the pitches will be fairer than those encountered in Pakistan.
There will be turn, of course, and the surfaces will deteriorate as the matches progress, but India’s strength lies in their balance. With Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, and Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack, they are unlikely to produce tracks that completely neutralize seam bowling as Pakistan did to blunt the threat of Rabada and Jansen.
The Proteas have also shown that they can not only play spin, but bowl it effectively.
The last time they toured India, Paul Harris was their primary spinner, a steady performer, but not a major turner of the ball.
This time, they boast a trio of genuine match-winners in Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy.
Whether all three play remains to be seen, but whoever misses out can consider themselves unlucky.
The selectors face a tough call: leaving out either the Man of the Series against Pakistan (Muthusamy), the Player of the Match from the last Test (Maharaj), or the bowler who took 12 wickets in Pakistan (Harmer).
The likeliest omission is Harmer, as Muthusamy offers crucial batting depth, and Maharaj, ranked 13th in the world currently edges out both Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in the ICC rankings.
A more balanced approach seems likely, with a bowling all-rounder slotting in probably Wiaan Mulder or Corbin Bosch, both of whom offer versatility with bat and ball.
Ultimately, South Africa must focus on themselves and tune out the hype that inevitably surrounds any series in India. T
his is a side that may lack the individual stardust of the 2010 generation, but they are forging a new legacy creating fresh heroes and setting new milestones for future Proteas to chase.
Make no mistake: Eden Gardens will test them. But don’t write South Africa off. They’ve built a reputation on resilience and when backed into a corner, they’ve shown an uncanny ability to find a way.