India and South Africa will lock horns after a long time in a bilateral series. The last time they met, was in the subcontinent and the visitors were put through a trial by spin and they fell flat on the face. The series ended in despair for the Proteas as they also lost their numero uno status in the format as well.

They won the subsequent ODI series but the heartbreaking losses in whites haunted them and they would be itching to give it back to the now number 1 team in the Test format currently. However, the current Indian team looks set to challenge the strong bowling-up of the hosts and the series is expected to be closely fought.

Over the years both the teams have been involved in some memorable encounters that have gone down the wire or either of the teams has come up victorious unexpectedly. The players share mutual respect but when they stride out to the middle they show that there is no love lost between them. They fight for their country and try their level best to come up trumps against the other side. Similarly, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/savind/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India and South Africa</a> have played a few great matches at home and away.

Here we recall those classic encounters ahead of the three-match Test series:

1. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22, 2013

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-18-22-2013.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205812" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-18-22-2013.jpg" alt="1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22 2013" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205812" class="wp-caption-text">Faf du Plessis (R) of South Africa celebrates his 50 with AB de Villiers during day 5 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and India. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)</figcaption>

The first Test of the two-match series is fondly remembered as South Africa were on the cusp of history on the final day chasing a huge total. After winning the toss, the visitors failed to post a big total on the board and could score only 280 despite the century from Virat Kohli. In response, South Africa were caught off-guard by India’s bowling and were bundled out for 244 with the pace battery getting their act together to stun the hosts.

India then attacked and took the game away from the depleted bowling attack of the hosts. They scored 421 in their second innings and set an improbable target of 458 for the home side with more than four sessions to go.

Very few would’ve given them a chance to chase down the total and it was only a matter of time after they lost 4 wickets under 200 runs. But the duo of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had different ideas who stitched a partnership of 205 runs and came within touching distance of the victory in the dying stages of the final day. Both the batsmen notched up their respective centuries but were dismissed at the wrong time for their side. They were still the favourites with three wickets in hand, but <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-not-to-feature-in-the-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MS Dhoni</a>, the Indian skipper, set all the fielders on the boundary lines to avoid the defeat in the final over of the day with 8 runs required.

Dale Steyn played out that over to avoid any last minute drama and the thriller was ended in a draw. Frankly, no team deserved to lose but South Africa won the hearts for almost chasing down a huge total but unfortunately, they were left stranded on 450/7. This test <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cricket match</a> is still remembered as one of the best whenever the encounters of India and South Africa are recalled.

2. 2nd Test at Durban, Dec 26-29, 2010

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/2nd-Test-at-Durban-Dec-26-29-2010.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205813" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2nd-Test-at-Durban-Dec-26-29-2010.jpg" alt="2nd Test at Durban, Dec 26-29 2010" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205813" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan celebrate during day 4 of the 2nd Test match between South Africa and India. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

India were lagging in the series and were literally annihilated in the first Test in Centurion. The home side elected to field first on a tough pitch and bundled India out for a paltry score of 205 courtesy a six-wicket haul from Steyn. In reply, the visitors once again surprised the hosts with a spirited bowling performance and cleaned them for mere 131 runs on the back of a stellar performance from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/harbhajan-singh-bewildered-watching-steve-smiths-mastercalss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harbhajan Singh</a>. The second innings too didn’t go well for India as they were reduced to 56/4 but VVS Laxman put his hands up and played an excellent knock.

He scored 96 runs and was well supported by some decent lower order contributions. South Africa was set a stiff target of 303 runs as India was bowled out for 228 in their second essay. But the first innings lead played its part and the target went beyond the psychological advantage.

The strong side started the chase well but unravelled later as the Indian bowlers hunted in pack to register a memorable victory by 87 runs. They levelled the two-match series and were delighted to win the Test match in the country after a long time. The match is always remembered for the heroic comeback of the visiting Indian team against all the odds.

3. 3rd Test at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2007

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/3rd-Test-at-Cape-Town-Jan-2-6-2007.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205814" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/3rd-Test-at-Cape-Town-Jan-2-6-2007.jpg" alt="3rd Test at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2007" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205814" class="wp-caption-text">Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa celebrate victory. (Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The series was locked at 1-1 and the New Year Test was nicely set up for a decider. Wasim Jaffer struck a brilliant century with other batsmen revolving around him as India posted 414 in their first innings which was considered above-par on the ground. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/anil-kumble-gets-the-coach-of-the-year-award/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anil Kumble</a> led the bowling attack for India and sneaked in a crucial lead of 41 runs by bundling out South Africa for just 373 runs. India had a great chance to be in the ascendancy and set up a stiff ask for the hosts in the decider.

But very few expected the action that unfolded thereafter. India’s second innings woes came to the fore as they crumbled under pressure and could only muster 169 runs with Dale Steyn spitting venom. The Proteas had almost more than two sessions in hand to chase down the target of 211 runs and they did it with ease winning the game by five wickets. Though Zaheer Khan tried to turn things around with four wickets, it was too little too late for the visitors as their collapse in the second led to a series loss for them.

4. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 15-18, 2006

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-15-18-2006.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205815" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-15-18-2006.jpg" alt="1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 15-18 2006" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205815" class="wp-caption-text">India celebrate their first ever Test win in South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

India always had a history of performing poorly in the first Test of an overseas tour as they used to take time to adapt to the alien conditions. Even in 2006, nobody gave them a chance of even competing in the first Test given their record earlier in the country. The score of 249 in the first innings after winning the toss also underlined their struggles in South Africa. But S Sreesanth pitched the ball in right areas with pace and surprised the hosts batters. He scalped a sensational five-wicket haul to bundle out the opposition for a paltry total of 84.

India was boosted by a first innings lead and they added 236 more to that score and set the stiff target of 402 runs in front of South Africa. The chase was also going to create problems for the Proteas as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a> possessed the bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble and Sreesanth in their line-up.

The trio hunted together and picked three wickets each eventually bowling out the hosts for just 278 runs. They had taken the lead of 1-0 in the three-match series and broken the trend of faring poorly in their first game of the series.

5. 1st Test at Mumbai, Feb 24-26, 2000

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sachin-Tendulkar-On-Drive-Test.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-45528" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-On-Drive-Test.jpg" alt="Indian fans" width="640" height="442" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45528" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar On Drive. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Wind back the memories to 2000 and this time it was South Africa visiting India for a couple of Test matches. The first game was at the historic Wankhede Stadium in <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2018-rohit-sharma-looks-forward-to-the-upcoming-season-with-mumbai-indians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai</a> as the home side India won the toss and chose to bat first. But the team playing under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar crumbled to 225 in the first day itself. In reply, the visitors too failed to capitalise after a good start and collapsed from being 90/0 to 176/10 in front of the spin troika of Anil Kumble, Sachin and Murali Karthik.

The second innings though was more dramatic as India failed to come to terms with the South African pace attack of Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald and were skittled out for just 113 setting the target of just 163 runs. Kumble raised the hopes for India by picking four wickets but the Proteas somehow managed crawl past the Indian total with just four wickets in hand. The turnaround was commendable for the visiting team though and despite conceding the lead in the first innings they successfully passed the trial by spin to finish the game inside three days.

All the aforementioned matches are absolutely classic and the upcoming Test series is also expected to be keenly contested as the Indian team looks prepared for the stern test.

India and South Africa will lock horns after a long time in a bilateral series. The last time they met, was in the subcontinent and the visitors were put through a trial by spin and they fell flat on the face. The series ended in despair for the Proteas as they also lost their numero uno status in the format as well.
They won the subsequent ODI series but the heartbreaking losses in whites haunted them and they would be itching to give it back to the now number 1 team in the Test format currently. However, the current Indian team looks set to challenge the strong bowling-up of the hosts and the series is expected to be closely fought.
Over the years both the teams have been involved in some memorable encounters that have gone down the wire or either of the teams has come up victorious unexpectedly. The players share mutual respect but when they stride out to the middle they show that there is no love lost between them. They fight for their country and try their level best to come up trumps against the other side. Similarly, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/savind/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India and South Africa</a> have played a few great matches at home and away.
Here we recall those classic encounters ahead of the three-match Test series:
<h3>1. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22, 2013</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205812" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205812" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-18-22-2013.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-205812" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-18-22-2013.jpg" alt="1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22 2013" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205812" class="wp-caption-text">Faf du Plessis (R) of South Africa celebrates his 50 with AB de Villiers during day 5 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and India. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)</figcaption></figure>
The first Test of the two-match series is fondly remembered as South Africa were on the cusp of history on the final day chasing a huge total. After winning the toss, the visitors failed to post a big total on the board and could score only 280 despite the century from Virat Kohli. In response, South Africa were caught off-guard by India’s bowling and were bundled out for 244 with the pace battery getting their act together to stun the hosts.
India then attacked and took the game away from the depleted bowling attack of the hosts. They scored 421 in their second innings and set an improbable target of 458 for the home side with more than four sessions to go.
Very few would’ve given them a chance to chase down the total and it was only a matter of time after they lost 4 wickets under 200 runs. But the duo of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had different ideas who stitched a partnership of 205 runs and came within touching distance of the victory in the dying stages of the final day. Both the batsmen notched up their respective centuries but were dismissed at the wrong time for their side. They were still the favourites with three wickets in hand, but <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-not-to-feature-in-the-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MS Dhoni</a>, the Indian skipper, set all the fielders on the boundary lines to avoid the defeat in the final over of the day with 8 runs required.
Dale Steyn played out that over to avoid any last minute drama and the thriller was ended in a draw. Frankly, no team deserved to lose but South Africa won the hearts for almost chasing down a huge total but unfortunately, they were left stranded on 450/7. This test <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cricket match</a> is still remembered as one of the best whenever the encounters of India and South Africa are recalled.
<h3>2. 2nd Test at Durban, Dec 26-29, 2010</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205813" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205813" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/2nd-Test-at-Durban-Dec-26-29-2010.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-205813" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2nd-Test-at-Durban-Dec-26-29-2010.jpg" alt="2nd Test at Durban, Dec 26-29 2010" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205813" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan celebrate during day 4 of the 2nd Test match between South Africa and India. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
India were lagging in the series and were literally annihilated in the first Test in Centurion. The home side elected to field first on a tough pitch and bundled India out for a paltry score of 205 courtesy a six-wicket haul from Steyn. In reply, the visitors once again surprised the hosts with a spirited bowling performance and cleaned them for mere 131 runs on the back of a stellar performance from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/harbhajan-singh-bewildered-watching-steve-smiths-mastercalss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harbhajan Singh</a>. The second innings too didn’t go well for India as they were reduced to 56/4 but VVS Laxman put his hands up and played an excellent knock.
He scored 96 runs and was well supported by some decent lower order contributions. South Africa was set a stiff target of 303 runs as India was bowled out for 228 in their second essay. But the first innings lead played its part and the target went beyond the psychological advantage.
The strong side started the chase well but unravelled later as the Indian bowlers hunted in pack to register a memorable victory by 87 runs. They levelled the two-match series and were delighted to win the Test match in the country after a long time. The match is always remembered for the heroic comeback of the visiting Indian team against all the odds.
<h3>3. 3rd Test at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2007</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205814" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205814" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/3rd-Test-at-Cape-Town-Jan-2-6-2007.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-205814" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/3rd-Test-at-Cape-Town-Jan-2-6-2007.jpg" alt="3rd Test at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2007" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205814" class="wp-caption-text">Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa celebrate victory. (Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The series was locked at 1-1 and the New Year Test was nicely set up for a decider. Wasim Jaffer struck a brilliant century with other batsmen revolving around him as India posted 414 in their first innings which was considered above-par on the ground. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/anil-kumble-gets-the-coach-of-the-year-award/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anil Kumble</a> led the bowling attack for India and sneaked in a crucial lead of 41 runs by bundling out South Africa for just 373 runs. India had a great chance to be in the ascendancy and set up a stiff ask for the hosts in the decider.
But very few expected the action that unfolded thereafter. India’s second innings woes came to the fore as they crumbled under pressure and could only muster 169 runs with Dale Steyn spitting venom. The Proteas had almost more than two sessions in hand to chase down the target of 211 runs and they did it with ease winning the game by five wickets. Though Zaheer Khan tried to turn things around with four wickets, it was too little too late for the visitors as their collapse in the second led to a series loss for them.
<h3>4. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 15-18, 2006</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205815" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205815" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-15-18-2006.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-205815" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-15-18-2006.jpg" alt="1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 15-18 2006" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205815" class="wp-caption-text">India celebrate their first ever Test win in South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
India always had a history of performing poorly in the first Test of an overseas tour as they used to take time to adapt to the alien conditions. Even in 2006, nobody gave them a chance of even competing in the first Test given their record earlier in the country. The score of 249 in the first innings after winning the toss also underlined their struggles in South Africa. But S Sreesanth pitched the ball in right areas with pace and surprised the hosts batters. He scalped a sensational five-wicket haul to bundle out the opposition for a paltry total of 84.
India was boosted by a first innings lead and they added 236 more to that score and set the stiff target of 402 runs in front of South Africa. The chase was also going to create problems for the Proteas as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a> possessed the bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble and Sreesanth in their line-up.
The trio hunted together and picked three wickets each eventually bowling out the hosts for just 278 runs. They had taken the lead of 1-0 in the three-match series and broken the trend of faring poorly in their first game of the series.
<h3>5. 1st Test at Mumbai, Feb 24-26, 2000</h3>
<figure id="attachment_45528" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45528" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sachin-Tendulkar-On-Drive-Test.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-45528" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-On-Drive-Test.jpg" alt="Indian fans" width="640" height="442" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45528" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar On Drive. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Wind back the memories to 2000 and this time it was South Africa visiting India for a couple of Test matches. The first game was at the historic Wankhede Stadium in <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2018-rohit-sharma-looks-forward-to-the-upcoming-season-with-mumbai-indians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai</a> as the home side India won the toss and chose to bat first. But the team playing under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar crumbled to 225 in the first day itself. In reply, the visitors too failed to capitalise after a good start and collapsed from being 90/0 to 176/10 in front of the spin troika of Anil Kumble, Sachin and Murali Karthik.
The second innings though was more dramatic as India failed to come to terms with the South African pace attack of Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald and were skittled out for just 113 setting the target of just 163 runs. Kumble raised the hopes for India by picking four wickets but the Proteas somehow managed crawl past the Indian total with just four wickets in hand. The turnaround was commendable for the visiting team though and despite conceding the lead in the first innings they successfully passed the trial by spin to finish the game inside three days.
All the aforementioned matches are absolutely classic and the upcoming Test series is also expected to be keenly contested as the Indian team looks prepared for the stern test.

India and South Africa will lock horns after a long time in a bilateral series. The last time they met, was in the subcontinent and the visitors were put through a trial by spin and they fell flat on the face. The series ended in despair for the Proteas as they also lost their numero uno status in the format as well.
They won the subsequent ODI series but the heartbreaking losses in whites haunted them and they would be itching to give it back to the now number 1 team in the Test format currently. However, the current Indian team looks set to challenge the strong bowling-up of the hosts and the series is expected to be closely fought.
Over the years both the teams have been involved in some memorable encounters that have gone down the wire or either of the teams has come up victorious unexpectedly. The players share mutual respect but when they stride out to the middle they show that there is no love lost between them. They fight for their country and try their level best to come up trumps against the other side. Similarly, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/savind/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India and South Africa</a> have played a few great matches at home and away.
Here we recall those classic encounters ahead of the three-match Test series:
<h3>1. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22, 2013</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205812" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205812" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-18-22-2013.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205812" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-18-22-2013.jpg" alt="1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 18-22 2013" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205812" class="wp-caption-text">Faf du Plessis (R) of South Africa celebrates his 50 with AB de Villiers during day 5 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and India. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)</figcaption></figure>
The first Test of the two-match series is fondly remembered as South Africa were on the cusp of history on the final day chasing a huge total. After winning the toss, the visitors failed to post a big total on the board and could score only 280 despite the century from Virat Kohli. In response, South Africa were caught off-guard by India’s bowling and were bundled out for 244 with the pace battery getting their act together to stun the hosts.
India then attacked and took the game away from the depleted bowling attack of the hosts. They scored 421 in their second innings and set an improbable target of 458 for the home side with more than four sessions to go.
Very few would’ve given them a chance to chase down the total and it was only a matter of time after they lost 4 wickets under 200 runs. But the duo of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had different ideas who stitched a partnership of 205 runs and came within touching distance of the victory in the dying stages of the final day. Both the batsmen notched up their respective centuries but were dismissed at the wrong time for their side. They were still the favourites with three wickets in hand, but <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-not-to-feature-in-the-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MS Dhoni</a>, the Indian skipper, set all the fielders on the boundary lines to avoid the defeat in the final over of the day with 8 runs required.
Dale Steyn played out that over to avoid any last minute drama and the thriller was ended in a draw. Frankly, no team deserved to lose but South Africa won the hearts for almost chasing down a huge total but unfortunately, they were left stranded on 450/7. This test <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cricket match</a> is still remembered as one of the best whenever the encounters of India and South Africa are recalled.
<h3>2. 2nd Test at Durban, Dec 26-29, 2010</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205813" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205813" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/2nd-Test-at-Durban-Dec-26-29-2010.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205813" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2nd-Test-at-Durban-Dec-26-29-2010.jpg" alt="2nd Test at Durban, Dec 26-29 2010" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205813" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan celebrate during day 4 of the 2nd Test match between South Africa and India. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
India were lagging in the series and were literally annihilated in the first Test in Centurion. The home side elected to field first on a tough pitch and bundled India out for a paltry score of 205 courtesy a six-wicket haul from Steyn. In reply, the visitors once again surprised the hosts with a spirited bowling performance and cleaned them for mere 131 runs on the back of a stellar performance from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/harbhajan-singh-bewildered-watching-steve-smiths-mastercalss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harbhajan Singh</a>. The second innings too didn’t go well for India as they were reduced to 56/4 but VVS Laxman put his hands up and played an excellent knock.
He scored 96 runs and was well supported by some decent lower order contributions. South Africa was set a stiff target of 303 runs as India was bowled out for 228 in their second essay. But the first innings lead played its part and the target went beyond the psychological advantage.
The strong side started the chase well but unravelled later as the Indian bowlers hunted in pack to register a memorable victory by 87 runs. They levelled the two-match series and were delighted to win the Test match in the country after a long time. The match is always remembered for the heroic comeback of the visiting Indian team against all the odds.
<h3>3. 3rd Test at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2007</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205814" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205814" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/3rd-Test-at-Cape-Town-Jan-2-6-2007.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205814" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/3rd-Test-at-Cape-Town-Jan-2-6-2007.jpg" alt="3rd Test at Cape Town, Jan 2-6 2007" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205814" class="wp-caption-text">Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa celebrate victory. (Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The series was locked at 1-1 and the New Year Test was nicely set up for a decider. Wasim Jaffer struck a brilliant century with other batsmen revolving around him as India posted 414 in their first innings which was considered above-par on the ground. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/anil-kumble-gets-the-coach-of-the-year-award/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anil Kumble</a> led the bowling attack for India and sneaked in a crucial lead of 41 runs by bundling out South Africa for just 373 runs. India had a great chance to be in the ascendancy and set up a stiff ask for the hosts in the decider.
But very few expected the action that unfolded thereafter. India’s second innings woes came to the fore as they crumbled under pressure and could only muster 169 runs with Dale Steyn spitting venom. The Proteas had almost more than two sessions in hand to chase down the target of 211 runs and they did it with ease winning the game by five wickets. Though Zaheer Khan tried to turn things around with four wickets, it was too little too late for the visitors as their collapse in the second led to a series loss for them.
<h3>4. 1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 15-18, 2006</h3>
<figure id="attachment_205815" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205815" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/01/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-15-18-2006.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-205815" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1st-Test-at-Johannesburg-Dec-15-18-2006.jpg" alt="1st Test at Johannesburg, Dec 15-18 2006" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205815" class="wp-caption-text">India celebrate their first ever Test win in South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
India always had a history of performing poorly in the first Test of an overseas tour as they used to take time to adapt to the alien conditions. Even in 2006, nobody gave them a chance of even competing in the first Test given their record earlier in the country. The score of 249 in the first innings after winning the toss also underlined their struggles in South Africa. But S Sreesanth pitched the ball in right areas with pace and surprised the hosts batters. He scalped a sensational five-wicket haul to bundle out the opposition for a paltry total of 84.
India was boosted by a first innings lead and they added 236 more to that score and set the stiff target of 402 runs in front of South Africa. The chase was also going to create problems for the Proteas as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a> possessed the bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble and Sreesanth in their line-up.
The trio hunted together and picked three wickets each eventually bowling out the hosts for just 278 runs. They had taken the lead of 1-0 in the three-match series and broken the trend of faring poorly in their first game of the series.
<h3>5. 1st Test at Mumbai, Feb 24-26, 2000</h3>
<figure id="attachment_45528" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45528" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sachin-Tendulkar-On-Drive-Test.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-45528" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-On-Drive-Test.jpg" alt="Indian fans" width="640" height="442" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45528" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar On Drive. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Wind back the memories to 2000 and this time it was South Africa visiting India for a couple of Test matches. The first game was at the historic Wankhede Stadium in <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2018-rohit-sharma-looks-forward-to-the-upcoming-season-with-mumbai-indians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai</a> as the home side India won the toss and chose to bat first. But the team playing under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar crumbled to 225 in the first day itself. In reply, the visitors too failed to capitalise after a good start and collapsed from being 90/0 to 176/10 in front of the spin troika of Anil Kumble, Sachin and Murali Karthik.
The second innings though was more dramatic as India failed to come to terms with the South African pace attack of Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald and were skittled out for just 113 setting the target of just 163 runs. Kumble raised the hopes for India by picking four wickets but the Proteas somehow managed crawl past the Indian total with just four wickets in hand. The turnaround was commendable for the visiting team though and despite conceding the lead in the first innings they successfully passed the trial by spin to finish the game inside three days.
All the aforementioned matches are absolutely classic and the upcoming Test series is also expected to be keenly contested as the Indian team looks prepared for the stern test.

Here we recall those classic encounters ahead of the three-match Test series.

5 Classic encounters between India and South Africa

5 Top Encounters between India and South Africa: India and South Africa will lock horns after a long time in a bilateral series after the latter side was put into a trial by spin by the hosts in 2015.