Ahead of South Africa’s two-match Test series against India, starting on November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Temba Bavuma-led side prepared themselves for the conditions of the Indian team through two unofficial Test matches against India A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. South Africa A had their captain for the second clash, while India A consisted of all-star players. 

Coming into the fifth day of the second fixture, South Africa A recorded the highest successful chase in ‘A’ Tests as it overhauled a 417-run target in the second fixture. It becomes the record for the Proteas’ A side in first-class cricket, going past 295 runs against the Rest of India in Pretoria in 2003. In Bulawayo nearly 31 years ago, they got 217 against Matabeleland Select XI.

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South Africa A, during this clash, has completed the fourth innings chase of 417 runs, which is the highest successful chase against India A in first-class cricket. England A’s chase of 254 runs in Kolkata in 1994 becomes the second best, while Australia A got 225 runs last year in Mackay as the third best.

South Africa completes successful chase of 417 runs against India A during 2nd unofficial Test

Batting first, India A registered 255 runs in the first innings, thanks to Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten knock of 132 runs in 175 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 75.42. Apart from captain M Ackerman, who got 134 runs in 118 balls, none of the South Africa A batters could stand in the middle, getting bundled out for 221.

In the second innings for India A, Rishabh Pant smashed a decent knock of 65 runs in 54 balls at a strike rate of 120 with five boundaries and four sixes, while Jurel again celebrated an unbeaten knock of 127 runs to put incredible pressure on the selectors heading into the Kolkata Test.

But South Africa A displayed incredible dominance to win the clash by five wickets. Five batters of their top six- Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senikwane, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma, and Conno Esterhuizen- celebrated their respective fifties to chase down the target by five wickets.