After a history of failures, South Africa achieved success in tests.

• South Africa’s previous ICC silverware was the title in the Wills International Cup in 1998, which was a precursor to the Champions Trophy.

• Despite a slow progress, South Africa’s performance in the World Test Championship was admirable, reflecting the diverse ethnic groups of the country.

• The victory was crucial as whispers of the ‘Big Three’ of India, Australia, and England were circulating.

• The South African triumph also showed that other teams can acquire the champions’ halo.

• South Africa’s comeback from past failures, such as the ICC T20 World Cup final against India, is a testament to their resilience.

• The country’s comeback from apartheid policy and the match-fixing crisis in the 1990s was gradual, but Bavuma and his team provided a special effort to put past setbacks behind them.