Twitter Reactions: Clinical South Africa level series with Port Elizabeth win

After losing the first Test of the four-match Test series against Australia, the hosts South Africa were under tremendous pressure. Losing the first game of the series, and that too on the home turf is never really a positive note to live on. However, the Proteas did not let the defeat bog them down and came up with an improved all-round show in the second Test to level the series.

The series now stands leveled at 1-1 with two more Test matches to be played. South Africa won the Port Elizabeth Test by 6 wickets. Talking about the game, the hosts totally dominated the proceedings and outplayed the opposition in all the three aspects of the game. Earlier in the game, it was Australia who won the toss and opted to bat first.

However, none of the Aussie batsmen could make a big score in the game. They were heavily dented by a five wicket haul by Kagiso Rabada in the innings that wrapped up on 243. In response, Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla dominated the headlines with their respective fifties on the second day.

Australia came back in the game with a flurry of wickets before AB de Villiers put on an absolute masterclass display with the bat. Batting with the tail, AB de Villiers ended with an unbeaten 126 to his name. His efforts helped South Africa post 382 runs on the board.

The second innings for Australia was not impressive either. Barring Usman Khawaja, who scored a fighting 75, no other batsman could show resilience for long. The innings wrapped up on 239 setting a target of 101 for the hosts. The South Africans managed to cruise past the target with 6 wickets in hand.

Here is how the fans reacted to the South African win:

I love Test Cricket above any other format ??? #SAvAUS

— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) March 11, 2018

Most Test centuries v Australia in last 10 years:

6 AB de Villiers (28 inns)
6 Virat Kohli (27 inns)#SAvAus

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 11, 2018

Super win by Proteas…AB-Rabada have kept the series alive. Before you crucify me—I’m still sticking to my original prediction of Australia winning the series. ?? #SAvAUS

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 12, 2018

Kagiso Rabada of the House South Africa,

the Aggressor,

the First of His Name,

King of Bowling Strike Rates,

Khal of the SA bowling Line Up,

Protector of the South African Pride,

Breaker of Rules

and

Father of Demerit Points. #SAvAUS #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/ZhMYcW0f8B

— Tabrez (@its_tabrez_) March 12, 2018

Rabada

4 x 10 wickets in a match
9 x 5 wickets in an innings
Strike rate under 40

He’s only 22

Could become the best ever?#SAvAUS

— Dennis Rabada (@DennisCricket_) March 12, 2018

Dropping the ball on AB DeVilliers after running him out was about as smart as asking Curtley Ambrose to take his sweatbands off #SAvAUS

— peter ryan (@petryan) March 12, 2018

Rabada has only played 28 Test matches

He now has more 10 wicket hauls than:

Overratedson (134 matches)
Walsh (132)
McGrath (124)
S Broad (114)
Ambrose (98)
M Johnson (73)
Donald (72)

He's only 1 behind Steyn (86)#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/JArabgLsVO

— Dennis Rabada (@DennisCricket_) March 12, 2018

The last 19 Tests since March 1997 between #SAvAus in South Africa have all ended in a result.
The last drawn encounter btw the two sides was the Durban Test in March 1994!
Since then Australia won 13, South Africa won 6

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 12, 2018

Most 10-wkt hauls in Tests before age of 23:

4 Kagiso Rabada (28 Tests)
4 Waqar Younis (33 Tests)#SAvAus

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 12, 2018

Rabada reported by the ICC for not saying ‘thank you’ during that last drinks break. #SAvAUS

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) March 12, 2018

Mitch Marsh's reaction to getting cleaned up by Rabada ??? #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/E1Zw1o7mHm

— Dazza_20 (@Dazza_20) March 12, 2018

• facing a likely a ban for the next Test for giving Steve Smith a send-off

• gives Dave Warner an almighty send-off anyway

make Kagiso Rabada the King of South Africa already#SAvAUS

— Matt Coleman (@_MattColeman) March 11, 2018

Don't raise your bat too high Elgar, the aussies might feel threatened and the ICC will demerit you. Well played though.#SAvAUS

— cricket freak (@cricloverakku) March 10, 2018

I want Rabada to take all ten wickets and follow each one with send-offs of ever-increasing ferocity. #SAvAUS

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) March 11, 2018

Rabada is comfortably leading the wicket takers & ICC code violation charts in the series #SAvAUS

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 12, 2018

Congrats to the @OfficialCSA on leveling the series. Some big performances put in and a well deserved victory ?? #SAvsAUS

— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) March 12, 2018