Some wins bring joy and leave a subtle flavour behind. Some stand tall in your memory, like pillars. This was a pillar. Many of us did not believe this team was capable of this, for they gave the appearance of being condemned men. Defeat seemed inevitable and would have come as no surprise. But sport tests character like nothing else does. India hung in, an opportunity arose, they took it.

South Africa will be chastened for they made the one mistake that teams on top have to guard against. They assumed victory and were made to pay for it. Very very few teams are good when favourites. Now the wallpaper is peeling and they have let the opposition see the cracks beneath. They will be a different team at Durban; either hurt and determined, or wounded and uncertain. Another aspect of character will be revealed.

They are a complex society, sadly full of mistrust. Suspicion colours every move for they are but toddlers as nations go. That is why they must win for their foundations are still fragile and defeat weakens them.

Boeta Dippenaar, surely the replacement top order batsman, doesn’t want to take calls, Nicky Boje has retired amidst complaints, former cricketers aren’t unhappy to see the national side lose and the captain is strangely unpopular in many segments. But he is a fine cricketer and aware of the society he lives in. He will know how important it is to South African cricket to win at Durban and Cape Town.

... contd.