South Africa end Test drought as new ball shreds England's bid for more miracles
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje share seven wickets as England fall well short
26/12Result
1st Test, ICC World Test Championship at Centurion, Dec 26-29 2019
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
284 & 272 -
![England]( "England")
181 & 268 (93 ov)
Player of the Match
26/12Result
1st Test, ICC World Test Championship at Centurion, Dec 26-29 2019
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
284 & 272 -
![England]( "England")
181 & 268 (93 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 4
Pieter Malan backed for Cape Town debut despite transformation pressures
Opener expected to replace Aiden Markram, according to coach Mark Boucher
Faf du Plessis praises 'team of fighters' as South Africa discover their spark
South Africa captain says Archer battle and Stokes wicket were key moments
South Africa embrace the struggle to re-embark on road to success
First win in six attempts is vindication for new regime, but that's not the whole story for South Africa
Chris Silverwood defends Joe Root's decision to bowl first despite heavy defeat
Head coach suggests England camp read conditions incorrectly ahead of toss
Day 3
Rory Burns repels South Africa to give England hope in fourth innings
England given hope after opener leads them to 121 for 1 and a shot at Centurion's record chase
Hope refuses to die as England embrace the chaos in their ranks
Ravaged by illness and arguing among themselves, somehow England aren't dead yet in first Test
Day 2
Vernon Philander leads South Africa to commanding position against England
Philander's 4-16 contains tourists before late South African wickets give England hope
South Africa ponder selection issues after attempted Archer takedown
Quinton de Kock took on England's pace spearhead after Rassie van der Dussen shone on debut
South Africa incensed as Jofra Archer escapes beamer suspension
Philander calls on umpires to 'stand your ground' after rescinding second no-ball
Finger fracture puts Aiden Markram out of remainder of England series
He is scheduled for surgery early next week and will miss at least eight weeks of action
Wanted: Another Miracle as familiar failings torpedo conventional hope
Batting meltdown and Kookaburra shortcomings leave England faced with another overseas defeat
The stats continue to stack up as Vernon Philander approaches his endgame
Underappreciated master of his craft puts South Africa in command at Centurion
Dwaine Pretorius commits future to South Africa amid Kolpak temptation
Allrounder persuaded to turn down Nottinghamshire deal as opportunity looms with Philander's retirement
Day 1
Sam Curran bags four wickets to spur England on against South Africa
Allrounder defies team illness and Quinton de Kock resistance to give tourists comfort
Sam Curran provides tonic on England's off-colour day
Lack of match fitness undermines England's illness-ravaged squad, but they dig deep regardless
Live Report - South Africa v England
All the best stats, graphics and chat from the Centurion Test with ESPNcricinfo's live blog
Zubayr Hamza strikes a pose before Quinton de Kock lands a more telling blow
Signs of promise from South Africa's inexperienced batting, but composure lets them down
Others
No team of Boucher and Smith's will lie down
South Africa's new coach emphasised the importance of clarity, and you saw that in the performance against England in Centurion
James Anderson, utterly cricket crazy
Even after playing 149 Test matches for England, the 37-year old fast bowler just can't get enough
Injury rules Temba Bavuma out of Boxing Day Test against England
Batsman to remain with the squad as he undergoes rehabilitation, replacement to be named later
South Africa v England: A list of shared woes
South African cricket has been through some very public upheaval in recent weeks, but their opponents aren't in great shape either
England get Ben Stokes boost, but might lose Ollie Pope for Boxing Day Test
Allrounder set to return to training following positive updates on his father's health
If South Africa are wounded buffaloes, England are sickly lions
England have been in a bit of a mess for no fault of theirs, but they have the resources to climb out of it
Can Siya Kolisi and Jurgen Klopp inspire South Africa?
The Springboks captain is friends with Faf du Plessis, and both recently ran into the Liverpool manager. Is sporting success contagious?
Bruised England look to improve touring record against battered South Africa
If South Africa continue their recent trend of producing lively surfaces for Test cricket, England will believe they have a fighting chance