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A bittersweet victory over India echoes a lost promise

The Mercury

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December 04, 2025

SO SOUTH Africa won the cricket test against India...India... (yawn!) Sporting results once excited me. But after the Hansie affair (poor victim!), I'd rather play crosses and noughts.

- EBRAHIM ESSA

Not much chance of fixing. But this specific test result struck a chord in me. A sad one. In 1991/92, India was the first country to embrace South Africa back onto the international cricket pitch.

First day at New Kingsmead and India crashed with about 55 all out.

Lost the first modern-day test within two days. Rahul Dravid was the only one that saved a little of India's batting face.

And my family — son and daughter —cried all the way home for days and nights following this reentry of our loving motherland into our country that would soon promise “normal” restoration, rejuvenation and a glorious freedom-filled future.

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