News24.com | Proteas’ first Test fiasco: A look at their four other heaviest defeats

• The Proteas defeat against New Zealand in Christchurch was their second heaviest in Test cricket.
• At least it wasn’t quite as bad as No 1 on the list though it’s interesting that Australia have dealt SA two of their five worst losses.
• Depressingly, not even the 1889 vintage – playing only SA’s second Test ever – suffered such a bad defeat as Dean Elgar and his team-mates.

The Proteas’ abysmal defeat in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday was their second heaviest in Test cricket.

Sport24 takes a look the other dark chapters in South Africa’s catalogue of worst losses in the pinnacle form of the game. 

2002 – LOST BY AN INNINGS AND 360 RUNS AGAINST AUSTRALIA, JOHANNESBURG

Granted, it was pretty difficult to be competitive let alone win against one of the greatest Test teams ever assembled but even the most optimistic Proteas fans would’ve been shocked by this result.

Despite a typically muscular century from Matthew Hayden, South Africa seemed to have played themselves back into some sort of contention when the fifth wicket fell on 293.

Just over 62 overs later, home side were left battered by the brilliance of Adam Gilchrist, who smashed an unbeaten, 213-ball 204 and added 317 for the sixth wicket with Damien Martyn (133).

Australia eventually declared on 652/7 and then proceeded to show all their potency with the ball.

Ashwell Prince, on debut, showed why he would become such a stalwart for the Test side in later years with an accomplished 49 but only had Herschelle Gibbs (34) for any sort of meaningful support.

A varied attack shared the wickets in that first innings, but it was the peerless duo of Glenn McGrath (5/21) and Shane Warne (4/44) that dominated in the second.

Worst of all, Allan Donald broke down in his 16th over to bring his stellar Test career to an unceremonious end.

Australia 652/7 dec. – South Africa 159 and 133

2022 – LOST BY AN INNINGS AN 276 RUNS AGAINST NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH

Twenty years later, this mauling happened.

It’s still fresh in the minds, but if you need a reminder – READ HERE

South Africa 95 and 111 – New Zealand 482

1950 – LOST BY AN INNINGS AND 259 RUNS AGAINST AUSTRALIA, GQEBERHA 

                                                                             Dudley Nourse (Getty)

Similarly to the Wanderers massacre, the Aussies won the toss, batted first and never looked back.

The brilliant Neil Harvey (116) was the initial aggressor and proved a good foil for stylish Arthur Morris, who made 157.

Skipper Lindsay Hassett then enjoyed spearheading the second part of the innings and eventually ended with a fine 167.

South Africa’s attack was properly pasted, conceding 549/7 in just 117 overs at an almost unheard of run rate then of 4.69 per over.

Keith Miller – the Jacques Kallis all-rounder of his era – then wrecked the home side’s first innings with figures of 4/42 before Dudley Nourse (55) was the only local batter to show any form of resistance in an even poorer second batting effort.

Australia 549/7 dec. – South Africa 158 and 132

1889 – LOST BY AN INNINGS AND 202 RUNS AGAINST ENGLAND, CAPE TOWN

                                                                           Johnny Briggs (Getty)

This will always be known as the match where Johnny Briggs was unplayable, though his achievement had some gloss taken off it by the fact that South Africa were playing ony in their second Test ever.

It must be said that the novice side, captained by William Milton, acquited themselves well England chose to bat first.

Opener Bobby Abel was the mainstay of the English innings, making 120 in a total of 292.

Gobo Ashley, a left-arm seamer of nothing more than medium pace, was excellent in picking up figures of 7/95.

He wouldn’t come near Briggs exploits though.

An orthodox spinner, he took 7/17 in South Africa’s first innings that slumped to 47 all out.

Depressingly, worse was to come as the hosts, following-on, were shot out for 43, Briggs grabbing 8/11 to finish with a freakish match haul of 15/28.

England 292 – South Africa 47 and 43

2019 – LOST BY AN INNINGS AND 202 RUNS AGAINST INDIA, RANCHI 

                                                                        Dean Elgar goes down (Gallo)

This was the outing that put paid to any hopes (for now) of Enoch Nkwe becoming the Proteas’ head coach.

Pretty much thrown to the wolves as the interim team director, his charges went into this third and final Test already 2-0 down and low on morale.

Smelling blood, Rohit Sharma almost immediately played the Proteas out of the game, striking 28 fours and 6 sixes in his 212 off 255 deliveries and found a good partner in Ajinkya Rahane, who made 115.

Ravindra Jadeja scored 51 as India declared just short of 500.

Zubayr Hamza stroked 10 fours in a 62 that suggested the South Africans might’ve been up for a fight before collapsing to a varied attack.

Worse was to follow as Dean Elgar had to retire hurt with a blow to the helmet, eroding any sort of confidence the Proteas might’ve had as they slumped to 36/5, which was 36/6 effectively.

The lower order showed a bit of fight with Theunis de Bruyn, Elgar’s concussion substitute, ironically top-scoring with 30.

India 497/9 dec. – South Africa 162 and 133