Erm… what? South Africa were never really in it, so how did they choke? Well, Australia might have been on the front-foot from the very beginning, but they were also made to sweat by Aiden Markram in the fourth innings.

Indeed, if the South African middle-order made a combined contribution of even 100 runs, the Proteas might have made history. They, however, failed—and the way they did it constitutes to choking.

Playing in their own backyard against Australia has never been a good experience for the South Africans. Indeed, ever since the reformation of the nation’s cricket in 1992, the Proteas have never been able to beat Australia at home.

It is quite surprising given that the South Africans are known for being almost unbeatable at home. Perhaps the word ‘almost’ is where Australia won.

Winning the toss and batting first, Australia batters played very well as a team and mounted a score of 351 with Mitchell Marsh starring with 96, missing a century by only 4 runs. Steven Smith and David Warner also scored half centuries, making 56 and 51 respectively.

Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj took five wickets with Vernon Philander picking three and Kagiso Rabada scalping two skins.

In response, South Africa faltered from the very beginning, losing wickets at regular intervals. Only four players could get a score in double figures with AB de Villiers ending up as the highest scorer for his team with 71 not-out as South Africa fell for a paltry 162.

Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers as he took five wickets with Nathan Lyon also ending with three wickets in the innings. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shared the remaining spoils.

In the second innings, the Australian openers started well, but the rest of the batting unit couldn’t hold the way they did in the first innings. Cameron Bancroft top scored with 53 runs as Australia were shunted for 227 runs.

Keshav Maharaj was once again the pick of the bowlers as he took four wickets. Morne Morkel, who is playing his last series before he retires from international cricket, took three scalps while Kagiso Rabada ended with two wickets and Dean Elgar with one.

With 416 runs to chase, South Africa started in the worst possible manner. Indeed, only three of their 11 players could score 10 or more runs. The first setback was when AB de Villiers was run out. Falling short of the crease in Test cricket is inscrutable and, hence, De Villiers’ way to get out was excruciating for the Proteas.