South Africa’s Test series victory against India has been described as one of the most significant achievements in the team’s history, ending a drought that stretched back to the year 2000 during the late Hansie Cronje’s captaincy.
The series win came more than two decades after South Africa last tasted Test success in India, underlining the scale of the achievement. The captain said the result highlighted how far the team has come and reflected the steady growth of the side as a Test unit.
South Africa’s past tours to India made the achievement even more meaningful. On his first visit in 2015, India won the series 3-0, with the South African captain featuring only in the final Test in Delhi. The 2019 tour proved even tougher, as South Africa suffered another 3-0 defeat, losing two matches by an innings.
Those experiences weighed heavily going into the 2025 series. While the scars from previous tours were still there mentally, the team used that history to better prepare themselves. The captain said past failures helped the players understand how challenging conditions in India can be, both mentally and technically.
From a cricketing perspective, the team felt far better equipped this time. Playing in India requires experience to fully grasp what works and what does not, and the captain said he was relieved that the negative emotions of earlier tours did not resurface.
Among the matches, the second Test in Guwahati stood out as his favourite, describing it as proper Test cricket. Batting in the first Test in Kolkata proved extremely difficult, but South Africa had mentally prepared for spin-friendly surfaces and accepted the challenge rather than feeling overwhelmed.
The captain stressed the importance of making the most of favourable conditions, admitting personal disappointment at failing to convert a good start in the second Test when batting conditions were at their best. He said opportunities like that are rare in India and need to be fully seized.
The series also featured heated moments on the field. The captain revealed there was an incident where comments were made about him in another language. Senior Indian players Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah later apologised, even though he had not initially been aware of what was said. He said such moments stay with players and often serve as motivation rather than creating long-term grudges.
Head coach Shukri Conrad played a key role in South Africa’s success. The captain said Conrad has consistently worked on building confidence within the squad, instilling the belief that if the team performs at its best, no opponent can match them. Preparation for India began months before the tour, with detailed discussions around team balance, player roles and strategies.
The intensity of the series reflected its importance, particularly with South Africa aiming to maintain their position as the world’s top-ranked Test side. Beating the strongest teams in their own conditions remains central to that goal, and the captain said high-pressure series like this only enhance the spectacle and motivation, as long as mutual respect remains intact.
Conrad also faced scrutiny over a controversial remark made during the tour. The captain said the coach later clarified his comments and accepted that he could have chosen his words better, bringing the matter to a close after the ODI series.
Aiden Markram, who captained the Test side in the captain’s absence during the Pakistan tour, also played an important leadership role. The captain described Markram as a valuable sounding board and praised his tactical awareness, saying their strong working relationship continues to benefit the team.
The series win, achieved against one of the toughest opponents in their own backyard, now stands as a landmark moment for South African cricket and a defining chapter in the team’s modern Test history.
