That winning smile, patron Temba Bavuma (Rooster)
It will go down as one of the greatest Proteas victories in history.
He set a hefty 343 for the win and with their World Cup qualification hopes hanging in the balance, few would have given the South Africans much of a chance at the second ODI innings break against England in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
SCORECARD | Proteas beat England in 2nd ODI
What followed, however, was a manhunt of the first order and one of the best in this country.
Captain Temba Bavuma, under immense pressure from the South African cricket public, was brilliant, scoring 109 cards (102) and putting his team in a position where they could achieve the improbable.
This was Bavuma’s third ODI century, but as Ashwell Prince offered in the SuperSport commentary, it might be his best and most important strike in the national colours.
“Bavuma, Bavuma, Bavuma!” the more than 10,000 fans at Mangaung Oval roared as the skipper celebrated his ton.
David Miller (58* of 37) played a classic Miller inning, watching the Proteas over the line in superb fashion.
The Proteas have now taken an unquestioned 2-0 lead in the three-match series and a significant step towards securing qualification for the 2023 World Cup in India later in the year.
It was a suspenseful moment, packed with drama, and here we take a look back and look back at some of the action via our friends at Gallo Images.
Temba Bavuma celebrates his century (Rooster)
Temba Bavuma celebrates his century (Rooster)
Temba Bavuma celebrates his century (Rooster)
Temba Bavuma struggling with cramps towards the end of his innings (Rooster)
There were more than 10,000 fans in the Mangaung Oval (Rooster)
Aiden Markram contributed with 49, and when he came out it seemed to be a key moment of the game (Rooster)
David Miller was heroic for the Proteas, bringing them home (Rooster)
The series now moves to Kimberley, where the third and final ODI will take place on Wednesday.
