Table of Contents
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard 1st Test remains one of the most searched topics among cricket fans because it captures the opening battle of a fiercely contested Test series. Whenever India and South Africa meet in the longest format, the contest features world-class fast bowling, technically gifted batting, and intense sessions that often decide the outcome. This article provides a complete match summary, detailed scorecards, fall of wickets, bowling figures, standout performances, key turning points, major records, head-to-head history, and frequently asked questions. Whether you want to revisit the match or understand how the result unfolded, this guide covers every important detail in one place.
Match Summary
The first Test between South Africa and India was played at SuperSport Park, Centurion, from December 26 to December 28, 2023. South Africa produced one of their finest home performances, defeating India by an innings and 32 runs.
Dean Elgar starred with a memorable century in his farewell Test series, while Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burger consistently troubled India’s batting lineup. India struggled to build partnerships in both innings despite KL Rahul scoring an excellent century in the first innings.
The victory gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and once again highlighted their dominance in home Test conditions.
Full Match Scorecard
First Innings Scorecard (India)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 5 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 17 | 37 | 4 | 0 |
| Shubman Gill | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 38 | 64 | 5 | 0 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 31 | 50 | 3 | 1 |
| KL Rahul | 101 | 137 | 14 | 4 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 8 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Shardul Thakur | 24 | 33 | 2 | 1 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 5 | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Total: 245 all out
Bowling Figures (South Africa)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | 20.2 | 59 | 5 |
| Nandre Burger | 15 | 50 | 3 |
| Marco Jansen | 16 | 52 | 1 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 18 | 45 | 1 |
First Innings Scorecard (South Africa)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram | 5 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Dean Elgar | 185 | 287 | 28 | 0 |
| Tony de Zorzi | 28 | 62 | 2 | 0 |
| Keegan Petersen | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| David Bedingham | 56 | 87 | 7 | 0 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 4 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Marco Jansen | 84 | 147 | 11 | 1 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 19 | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 11 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Nandre Burger | 7 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Lungi Ngidi | Did Not Bat | – | – | – |
Total: 408 all out
Bowling Figures (India)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 26 | 69 | 4 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 22 | 91 | 2 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 20 | 93 | 1 |
| Shardul Thakur | 19 | 101 | 1 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 22 | 41 | 2 |
Second Innings Scorecard (India)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 5 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Shubman Gill | 26 | 37 | 6 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 76 | 82 | 12 | 1 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 6 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | 4 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Shardul Thakur | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Total: 131 all out
Bowling Figures (South Africa)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nandre Burger | 10.3 | 33 | 4 |
| Marco Jansen | 11 | 36 | 3 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 9 | 32 | 2 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 7 | 24 | 1 |
Fall of Wickets
| Wicket | Score |
|---|---|
| India 1st Innings | 13, 24, 24, 92, 107, 182, 227, 239, 245, 245 |
| South Africa | 11, 59, 91, 107, 239, 251, 391, 397, 401, 408 |
| India 2nd Innings | 0, 13, 62, 121, 123, 123, 125, 125, 131, 131 |
The fall-of-wickets pattern clearly shows that India lost wickets in clusters during both innings. South Africa, on the other hand, recovered strongly after early setbacks thanks to Dean Elgar’s marathon knock and Marco Jansen’s valuable lower-order contribution.
Match Result
South Africa defeated India by an innings and 32 runs.
The home side dominated nearly every session after dismissing India for 245. Their batting lineup built a commanding lead before the pace attack wrapped up India’s second innings with relentless accuracy and bounce.
Player of the Match
Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar received the Player of the Match award after scoring a magnificent 185.
His innings lasted more than six hours and showcased exceptional patience, shot selection, and determination. Facing one of the world’s strongest pace attacks, Elgar controlled the innings from start to finish and laid the foundation for South Africa’s huge first-innings lead.
Key Moments
KL Rahul’s fighting century
India looked set for an even lower total before Rahul produced a brilliant century under pressure. His innings was one of the few positives for the visitors.
Rabada’s devastating spell
Kagiso Rabada struck early and regularly, removing India’s top-order batters before they could settle.
Dean Elgar’s farewell masterpiece
Elgar’s 185 was arguably one of the finest innings of his career. He neutralized India’s fast bowlers and batted for nearly two full sessions.
Marco Jansen’s crucial support
Jansen’s unbeaten 84 ensured South Africa extended their advantage well beyond 150 runs, making India’s task almost impossible.
Burger shines on debut series
Nandre Burger announced himself at the international level with aggressive pace and consistent wicket-taking spells.
Match Highlights
South Africa’s fast bowlers exploited home conditions brilliantly throughout the match.
KL Rahul became the first Indian batter in several years to score a Test century at Centurion.
Dean Elgar produced one of the highest individual scores against India at the venue.
Virat Kohli fought hard with 76 in the second innings but lacked meaningful support from the other batters.
India’s batting collapsed twice under relentless pressure from the South African pace attack.
Records Broken During the Match
Dean Elgar registered one of the highest farewell Test innings by a South African opener.
KL Rahul added another overseas Test century to his impressive record outside India.
South Africa maintained their outstanding Test record at Centurion.
Kagiso Rabada crossed another significant milestone in Test wickets during the series.
Nandre Burger enjoyed one of the best debut home Test performances by a South African fast bowler in recent years.
Head-to-Head Record
| Format | Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 44 | 16 | 18 | 10 |
The rivalry has traditionally favored the home team. South Africa have enjoyed considerable success on fast, bouncy pitches, while India have dominated at home with spin-friendly conditions.
Recent Meetings
| Year | Venue | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Centurion | South Africa |
| 2024 | Cape Town | India |
| 2022 | Cape Town | South Africa |
| 2022 | Johannesburg | South Africa |
| 2021 | Centurion | India |
Recent contests demonstrate how evenly matched these teams have become. While South Africa remain formidable at home, India have developed the ability to compete in challenging overseas conditions.
Major Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Highest Score in the Match | Dean Elgar – 185 |
| Best Bowling Figures | Kagiso Rabada – 5 wickets |
| India’s Highest Score | KL Rahul – 101 |
| Best Indian Bowling | Jasprit Bumrah – 4 wickets |
| Winning Margin | South Africa won by an innings and 32 runs |
These performances shaped the outcome of the match. Elgar’s long innings gave South Africa complete control, while Rabada’s five-wicket haul ensured India never established momentum.
Conclusion
The opening Test showcased why contests between India and South Africa remain among the most competitive in world cricket. South Africa combined disciplined fast bowling with outstanding batting from Dean Elgar to secure a convincing victory. India showed flashes of brilliance through KL Rahul and Virat Kohli but could not produce enough partnerships to challenge the hosts. The match served as another reminder that winning a Test in South Africa requires patience, resilience, and consistent execution across all four innings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first Test between South Africa and India in Centurion in 2023?
South Africa won the match by an innings and 32 runs after dominating with both bat and ball.
Who was named Player of the Match?
Dean Elgar received the award for his outstanding 185-run innings.
Who scored a century for India?
KL Rahul scored a brilliant 101 in India’s first innings.
Who took the most wickets in the match?
Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack with a five-wicket haul in India’s first innings, while Nandre Burger also made a major impact throughout the Test.
Why was Dean Elgar’s innings so important?
His 185 gave South Africa a massive first-innings lead, exhausted India’s bowling attack, and completely shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts, setting up a comfortable victory.
