Fans erupt as South Africa end 15-year drought with stunning win over India in the first Test

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In one of the most dramatic Test match turnarounds in recent years, South Africa stunned India by clinching a 30-run victory in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, ending a 15-year wait for a Test win on Indian soil. The contest had swung wildly over three days, but it was the Proteas who held their nerve when it mattered most, delivering a statement performance that silenced the home crowd and electrified South African fans around the world.

South Africa’s triumph looked unlikely for large portions of the match. After choosing to bat first, the visitors were bundled out for just 159 on Day 1, allowing India to seize early control. However, the Proteas bowlers, led by Simon Harmer, delivered a sensational comeback performance as India were restricted to 189, securing only a slender 30-run lead despite favourable batting conditions.

The second innings began disastrously for South Africa as they stumbled to 93/7 by stumps on Day 2. With India firm favourites, the match seemed headed for a routine home victory. But captain Temba Bavuma had other ideas. On a pitch offering sharp turn and uneven bounce, the South African skipper produced a masterclass in patience, footwork, and composure. His fighting fifty — remarkably the only half-century scored by any batter in the match — proved to be the innings that changed the storyline completely.

Bavuma shepherded the tail brilliantly, adding 60 crucial runs on the third morning to push South Africa to 153. The target of 124, though modest, was always going to be tricky on a deteriorating surface.

Chasing 124, India needed a calm, disciplined approach. Instead, South Africa’s spinners pounced on the opportunity. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bowled with relentless accuracy, exploiting every ounce of assistance from the pitch. India lost wickets in clusters, and the pressure mounted rapidly as runs dried up.

Despite Axar Patel’s brief counterattack — including a flurry of boundaries and two towering sixes off Maharaj — India remained on the brink. His attacking intent brought 16 runs in a single over, raising faint hopes, but Bavuma’s faith in Maharaj paid off almost immediately.

Axar mishit a slog and Bavuma completed a sharp catch at midwicket. Off the very next delivery, Mohammed Siraj edged to slip, bringing a dramatic end to the contest. India were bowled out for just 93, collapsing under the brilliance of South Africa’s spin duo and the mounting scoreboard pressure.

Also READ: IND vs SA: Ravindra Jadeja equals Kapil Dev’s monumental record on Day 2 of first Test

Crazy good win that! Well done Proteas👏👏👏I’m speechless

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 16, 2025

Huge result for SA.

Great game and well played to the proteas.

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 16, 2025

Well deserved by South Africa. And the wounds of the New Zealand series return. Batting in these conditions is a problem now.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 16, 2025

A famous victory for the World Test Champions, South Africa, at Eden Gardens. Temba Bavuma's unbeaten fifty was worth five hundred.

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) November 16, 2025

— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) November 16, 2025

One of the finest wins for South Africa in India

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 16, 2025

South Africa goes 1-0 up in the series ⚡⚡#Cricket #INDvsSA #SouthAfrica

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 16, 2025

Match summary #INDvSA

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 16, 2025

Once a wise man said,

“Coach Gautam Gambhir will finish the legacy of the Indian Cricket Team.”#INDvSA

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) November 16, 2025

New Zealand all over again. #IndvSA

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 16, 2025

What the F have I just witnessed!!!! What a comeback and performance from our bowlers!!!! They just never gave up!!!! This is beautiful 😭🇿🇦💚#CricketTwitter #INDvSA

— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) November 16, 2025

Bavuma gets the final laugh

What a game, and what a captain’s knock.

Give the man his due#INDvSA

— Ash (@Ashsay_) November 16, 2025

This schedule was decided a long time ago, but India v SA should be min 3 Test series. This South Africa side is class and the world deserves to see more of them. #IndvSA

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) November 16, 2025

South Africa won by 30 runs 😁😂#INDvSA

— Waqas (@Iam_Waqas) November 16, 2025

Fantastic result for cricket. India need to end this absurd pitch doctoring obsession and just back themselves to play good Test match cricket. One of the all-time great backfires. #IndvSA

— Adam Voigt (@adam_voigt) November 16, 2025

Great fight by the bowlers.

Crucial runs by Bavuma!!!!#INDvSA https://t.co/NlXmeWaSS4

— Sgegede (@DSNhlapo) November 16, 2025

He’s proving to be a really disgraceful coach. @GautamGambhir #INDvSA

— Swaraj Wankhede 🇮🇳 (@CrickySwaraj) November 16, 2025

This loss is on #Gambhir and #agarkar. Gambhir keeps escaping criticism only because the team has been finding ways to win across formats but he forgets cricket is a great leveller stay humble n respect opposition as well..4th test loss at home this year absolute clowns🤡 #indvsa

— Sarvadnya Pawar 🇮🇳 (@srvdnya_cricket) November 16, 2025

55 not out, Temba Bavuma is the man of the match. He has been a spectacular captain, what an amazing win!#INDvSA

— Nolan Lucano D'souza (@nolandsouza) November 16, 2025

🚨 SOUTH AFRICA STUN INDIA AT EDEN! 🇿🇦🔥◾ South Africa win the Test by 30 runs – a famous comeback!◾ Bowled out for 159 on Day 1, yet turned the match around 💥◾ India bundled out for 93 in the 2nd innings 😳 #INDvSA #TestCricket

— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) November 16, 2025

This defeat is not on Gautam Gambhir but on our batters like Jaiswal , Rahul and Pant.

And it also shows how important of a Batsman is Shubman Gill is to this new test side.

Shameful & Embarrassing. Well played Bavuma & South Africa.#INDvSA

— The Reverse Sweep (@trspodcastt) November 16, 2025

This is only the second time India have been bowled out for under 100 in the fourth innings of a home Test — the first time in 48 years#INDvsSA #INDvSA

— Mhd Ali Shihab (@muhmdali_shihab) November 16, 2025

Temba Bavuma as a captain of SA

11 – Matches10 – Won01 – Draw#INDvSA #INDvsSA #TestCricket

— Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) November 16, 2025

Gambhir should be sacked unceremoniously from the test coaching. #INDvSA

— Shivansh Vashishtha (@Shivansh466) November 16, 2025

Well Played South Africa. Credit where due. #INDvSA

— Manni (@Chahal321) November 16, 2025

south africa defeated india in INDIA after 15 years. #INDvSA

— 𝑨𝙗𝒅𝙪𝒍𝙡𝒂𝙝 𝙎𝒖𝙡𝒕𝙖𝒏⁵⁶ (@Abdullahs_56) November 16, 2025

Legacy of the legend losing home tests continue. SHAME. #IndvSA

— Ravi Kalle (@rt_Kalle) November 16, 2025

Terrific win for South Africa #INDvSA

— H. (@HaseebAFC) November 16, 2025

Same kind of pitch, same result. @RishabhPant17 captaincy was extremely poor specially the field placement for new batter and rotation of bowlers. @Sundarwashi5 didn’t bowl in 2nd innings. It will be 2-0 for sure. #INDvsSA #INDvSA

— Pratik 🇮🇳 (@imsinghpratik) November 16, 2025

After 15 years @ProteasMenCSA Created History

Won the Eden Garden Test #IndianCricket #INDvSA #CricketTwitter https://t.co/HNVTrZENFJ

— Dilbag Koundal ਦਿਲਬਾਗ ਕੌਂਡਲ 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) November 16, 2025

This is the worst test match pitch I have seen in India since Indore 2023.I knew it will be another 3 day affair after the second ball of the game from Bumrah stayed low. #INDvSA

— Delhi Capitals Fan 🇮🇳🇮🇱 (@pantiyerfc) November 16, 2025

Humbled after calling him "bauna"#INDvSA

— Payal (@foodieforlifexo) November 16, 2025

Any part timer who bowls off spin or left arm spin in any gully can defeat this Indian team, such losers, can’t play simple off spin 😭#INDVSA

— Niraj Lokhande (@Niraj_Rocks) November 16, 2025

Same old story.Seems that India haven't learned anything from NZ series where they lost 3-0 at home. Now SA beat us at home after 15 years. Home advantage of turning track is not advantage anymore if you don't have batting for it.@BCCI @bhogleharsha #INDvsSA #SackGambhir #indvsa

— Siddhartha Sharma (@bysiddhartha) November 16, 2025

Statement win for Champions 🔥#INDvSA

— #75 (@toptier1140) November 16, 2025

Also WATCH: IND vs SA – Mohammed Siraj splits Simon Harmer’s off-stump in half with a dream delivery on Day 3 of first Test