Cricket South Africa said the Standard Bank Proteas 107 run win over England in the first test at Supersport Park re-established their winning culture and was also “conclusive evidence” of the strength of the franchise system.
The Proteas also picked up 30 points in the ICC World Test Championship after failing to earn a single point in their opening WTC series in India.
CSA said a further 90 points are on offer in the three remaining tests.
“The match also provided conclusive evidence that the franchise system is much stronger than the credit it is being given as once again players brought into the team with little or no international experience, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen, and Dwaine Pretorius more than played their part.”
Nortje’s performance in only his third Test after two very difficult matches in India was significant.
“Not only did he take five wickets in the match but his innings of 40 and his partnership of 91 with Van der Dussen was critical to the margin of victory as was the first innings lead of 103,” CSA said.
Kagiso Rabada had the best bowling return of 4/103 to give him seven in the match in what was a good all-round performance by the bowling unit.
Quinton de Kock was named Man of the Match for his 129 runs and 8 catches in the match.
The Sunfoil Education Trust (SET) benefited to the extent of R240 000 from the number of boundaries and sixes hit in the match by the two sides as well as wickets taken.
