We highlight the major turning points during the Boxing Day Test that defined the Proteas’ innings and 45-run victory against Sri Lanka, writes Marc Jacobson.

South Africa ended their winless Test drought when they fought back to claim an assertive innings and 45-run victory over Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park.

The importance of all-rounders

It was a game that outlined why all-rounders remain pivots within a cricketing fold as the Proteas outmuscled – and subsequently suffocated – a desperate and longing Sri Lankan side. It is now the ideal time to reflect on some defining moments of the match.

The Proteas have for a long time struggled to find the right answers in terms of their go-to all-rounders, particularly in Test cricket. 

With Andile Phehlukawyo predominantly plying his trade in the limited overs game and having been unavailable of late, someone else needed to step up. The likes of Dwaine Pretorius and Chris Morris also specialize in the white ball format and have been inconsistent selections in recent times.

Then Wiaan Mulder re-emerged into the Proteas fold against Sri Lanka and staked a solid claim. On the first day, when the Proteas posed more questions about their performance than providing any answers, Mulder was the pick of the bowlers.

Confidence was flaring within the Sri Lankan side as they posted 340-6 at the close of play on Day 1, before subsequently reaching their highest total on South African soil the next day. 

DAY 1 WRAP: WIAAN MULDER SHOWS QUALITY, DESPITE SRI LANKA’S DOMINANCE

Mulder took three of SA’s six wickets on a day where the Proteas were looking to discover some introspection. He eventually combined superbly with Lutho Sipamla to make mincemeat of Sri Lanka the following day.

With the bat, following Temba Bavuma’s “walk-off” wicket, Mulder smashed an astute 36 runs, before again delivering the ball very well in the second innings to take two wickets for 39 and accumulating the best economy rate while he was at it.

Mulder’s character was revealed in this match, having stepped up when the other bowlers didn’t and provided continuity in SA’s middle order after Bavuma’s disappointing departure.

The 22-year-old bowled with aggression and finesse and managed to outsmart the batting attack on various occasions with his variation of swing.

Although having not had the best outing with the ball, Keshav Maharaj has been a regular selection within the Proteas Test side and has been their go-to spinner. Maharaj made up for his wicketless display with a solid knock of 73, including two sixes.

Maharaj was, essentially, the back-up all-rounder to Mulder and also did his job of getting the Proteas in a winning position. Besides, this wicket tended to respond more to seam and pace and his bowling exploits should not be undermined.

All-rounders are those types of players who can add extra versatility and flavour to a side, especially when the going gets tough. 

If they fail in one department, they can make it up with their other skills and that is vital when a team is trying to re-establish themselves after being knocked to their knees.

Lutho Sipamla proves naysayers wrong

Sipamla struggled on the opening day, having conceded the most runs, being the most expensive and not having taken any wickets. Many critics were questioning his selection, especially after the drubbing he got from England in the recent T20 series.

Where he faltered on the first day was the inconsistencies of his line and length at which he bowled and, after rectifying that, he managed to take all four wickets on the second day.

After growing criticism, he managed to show composure and bowl the right lines, along the 4^th and 5^th stump region, to clean up Sri Lanka’s tail. Suddenly, Sipamla was a hero.

Although one shouldn’t read too much into the fact that he picked off the tail-enders, the manner at which he changed his approach overnight was a telling sign of a maturing player. 

He is, after all, only 22 years of age and he combined resiliently with Lungi Ngidi in the opening stanzas of both innings. Ngidi will surely be able to mentor and guide Sipamla moving forward, especially when things don’t go their way.

“LUTHO’S CHARACTER STANDS OUT” – DEAN ELGAR

Is captaincy the right role for Quinton de Kock?

Since the T20 series against England, Quinton de Kock’s appetite for the leadership role has come into question and his on-field performances aren’t currently backing that up.

Leading a team can be psychologically-draining and some personalities are wired for it, while others aren’t. A captain bears a lot of responsibility within the side and if they don’t deliver on that front, it tends to filter through to their performances.

De Kock again didn’t quite deliver with the bat, scoring only 18, and he didn’t front up greatly against England in the T20s either. 

Suddenly, he looks as though he has regressed since last season where, ironically, the Proteas, as a team, struggled tremendously.

It is a familiar sight as Faf du Plessis went through a dramatic performance slump last year when his captaincy was also in the spotlight. Since then, he stepped down from the role and came back this season as a rejuvenated player.

He batted solidly and consistently in the IPL and in the English T20 series, before scoring an exemplary 199 in this Sri Lankan Test.

DAY 3 WRAP: FAF DU PLESSIS’ 199 GIVES PROTEAS CONTROL 

The captaincy role being lifted seemed to have unearthed qualities he didn’t know he still had in him and one questions whether that same effect can be applied to De Kock.

De Kock has always had the talent and potential, but something doesn’t seem quite right with his game, mentally-speaking.

Perhaps Aiden Markram, who captained the SA U19 side to World Cup glory in 2014, could be considered. 

Granted, Markram has been inconsistent in recent years, but his time away from the game through injuries and the lockdown has seemed to jumpstart his career. Markram opened very well with Dean Elgar in this Test to score 68, with the latter scoring 95.

The 26-year-old looked composed as ever and seems to be on the right form, especially when his domestic statistics are taken into account. 

This is certainly a consideration to be taken seriously, especially in light of the Proteas facing stronger opposition in the years to come.

“TEST CAPTAINCY A LITTLE BIT EASIER” – QUINTON DE KOCK