Twitter Reactions: South Africa go down fighting as England win the thrilling Cape Town Test to level the series

Starting with an overnight score of 126/2, South Africa had 90 overs to deal with on the final day to save the Test match. With a set batsman in the form of Pieter Malan and with some experienced players like Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock still to bat, it was expected that they’d give a tough fight to England. While a win didn’t seem likely, they could have at least drawn the game.

However, some poor application from the batsmen on the final day didn’t work out in their favour. The nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj was the first to fall on the day. Then, skipper Faf also got out for 19 runs as Dominic Bess managed to get the better of him. Malan tried to offer some resistance and blocked his way out throughout his stay.

After facing 288 deliveries, he was finally defeated by Sam Curran. The dream of getting to a Test century in his debut game didn’t turn out as per the expectations as he got out for 84 runs.

Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen offer some resistance but fall at critical times

Even though it seemed as if England would win this game at this stage, Rassie van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock gave them a scare with gritty knocks. While they didn’t add too many runs, they ate up quite a few deliveries. The wicket-keeper batsman was the aggressor. But soon after he got to 50, he was dismissed by Joe Denly. Rassie van der Dussen hardly played any shots and his sole focus was on spending as much time as possible in the middle.

He did well and faced 140 balls to score just 12 runs. Though, just like Root, he threw his wicket away at a critical juncture. Stuart Broad managed to outfox his brilliantly. Joe Root displayed great captaincy skills and placed a leg-slip just before the delivery of dismissal. As per their plan, the bowler sprayed one down the leg side. Dussen tried to glance it but it hit his edge and carried to James Anderson.

Ben Stokes then dismissed Dwaine Pretorius and Anrich Nortje for ducks in the same over. Vernon Philander, in his last Test at the venue, was the final man to fall and it was Stokes again who got his number. England registered a massive 189-run win to level the series.

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