South Africa desperately needed a win to regain their confidence after five successive Test defeats, plus a poor World Cup, and beating England in the first Test was just the tonic, says captain Faf du Plessis.
“It’s been a tough year for the Test team and it’s been a while since our last victory but we trained hard and there was a good feeling in the camp that we had done some really good preparation before the Test match,” he said after the home side’s 107-run victory to go ahead in the four-match series.
“We knew we needed to put in some performances to get the engine running and I thought that, in all departments, we were really good in this Test match.
“England were good at stages as well, but the way we played, especially in the last two days when the wicket did get a little bit flatter, the way the guys’ skill was remarkable and consistent all the time, made it a good start.
“That’s what we needed: a good start to get our confidence back as a Test team. We are very happy as a Test team as we sit here now.”
South Africa last won a Test in their 3-0 series victory against Pakistan in January but then lost 2-0 at home to Sri Lanka and were comprehensively thumped in India in October.
“As a team we don’t have a lot of superstars and as a team you take a lot more from victories where everyone contributes in their own way,” Du Plessis added.
He pointed to 40 runs in the second innings from nightwatchman Anrich Nortje as an example.
“That was really pleasing because those are the things that lift a team.
“Our bowling unit was exceptional. All of them put their hand in when the wicket didn’t dry out and they needed to be top of their game,” he added.
South Africa take on England in the second match at Newlands, from January 3-7.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Agree, Anderson is a much better bowler at home. In his tours here, hr has had reasonably good one but that's it. The other problem is their middle order after Stokes and he can be very up and down as well. Bairstow and Buttler both have problems and this needs to be sorted out once back in England.
Tanmoy Kar
Roar Rookie
To come back in the Series, England need to drop elderly Jimmy Anderson and play Chris Woakes.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Who cares? They have hearts like frozen peas. Took an outstanding once in a lifetime innings from Ben Stokes to win a test. Don't expect any repeats before I am gone!
Paul
Roar Guru
England did it again. At one stage they were 3 for 203 and all out for 268, losing 7 for 65 in the process. I'm happy for the Saffers after the tough year they've had, but Faf's got it wrong when he said " I thought that, in all departments, we were really good in this Test match.". His own batting plus the poor returns from Elgar & Markram need to be addressed asap. His side didn't collapse with the bat as England did - twice. If the Poms batting sorts itself out and the SA blokes I named don't get going, this might be the only joy the Proteas have this series.
AREH
Roar Guru
They look to have the ingredients to a tough, well-balanced test side, but far from a cohesive unit just yet. In truth they've been an average test outfit for some time but as many have said, unrelenting drive to become a white-ball superpower had to come at a cost. Their batting still as prone, if not more so, to collapsing in a heap as Australia's. Can't underestimate the impact of the illness through the camp, but gee, this was one that got away, perhaps.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
First time this year that some English players have been in the runs ... I'll show myself out now
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Be tough being an English supporter. Nine times out of ten, they put up the flag when things get tough