Historic series win puts Bavuma's side among SA's great teams

WHEN Temba Bavuma led the Proteas to glory at Lord's this past winter, securing the country's first ICC trophy in the 21st century, it would have crossed many people's minds that the diminutive batter is leading a team that could potentially be the best Test team South Africa has ever produced.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

However, it was clear that the 35-year-old would need to bring down a few giants for him and his team to be mentioned in the same sentence as some of the teams of the past, despite having won the World Test Championship.

The first task was Pakistan, where Aiden Markram stepped in for the injured Bavuma and achieved a tied series that ended 1-1.

Despite that being a great result for any team touring the subcontinent, many would have overlooked the achievement.

The real challenge was going to India and getting a result there.

After all, many greats of South African cricket have toured India in the past and returned home with their tails tucked between their legs, quite literally. The Proteas had not won a single Test match in India in 15 years and not a series in 25, a feat that, on paper, seemed unrealistic.