India surrenders to SA by 72 runs at Newlands
India's much-vaunted batting line-up fell apart in the face of a Vernon Philander-led pace attack's relentless aggression as South Africa emerged victorious by 72 runs in the first cricket Test here on Monday.
While South Africa grabbed a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, the visitors squandered a golden opportunity to script a memorable win outside the sub-continent.
Needing 208 on day four for their third ever Test win on South African soil, the Indian batsmen let their team down for the second time in the match, getting skittled out for 135 in 42.4 overs.
The game finished well inside three days despite a full day's play being washed out.
There was no Dale Steyn in the second innings, yet the South Africa pace department had enough firepower to expose the visitors' batting lineup on a bouncy and seaming surface.
Man of the Match Philander was simply outstanding with his pace and precision, ending with a career-best six for 42 and match haul of nine wickets. Mornel Morkel and Kagiso Rabada played the supporting role well, finishing with two wickets apiece in the second innings.
With India reeling at 82 for seven, R Ashwin (37) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar saved them the embarrassment of being bowled out for under 100.
The duo shared a 49-run stand for the eighth wicket, the highest of the innings, but it folded quickly after Philander had Ashwin caught behind with the keeper standing up. Post lunch,
Earlier, The hosts lost 8 for 65 in the morning session to lead by overall 207 runs. Shami took 3-28 while Bumrah had 339. Starting from day two overnight 65/2, the slide began in the second over of the morning. Shami had Hashim Amla (4) caught at gully with Rohit Sharma taking a low catch. The decision went up to the TV umpire but he didn't find conclusive evidence to overturn the soft signal.
Four overs later, Shami sent back Rabada (5), caught at second slip. In the 29th over then, when Bumrah had Faf du Plessis (0) caught behind off a snorter, South Africa were struggling at 82/5.
Bumrah also removed Kock (8) as it became 92/6 and the collapse became imminent. AB de Villiers (35 runs) waged a lone battle at the other end but he couldn't find anyone to support him.
South Africa crossed 100 in the 36th over as Keshav Maharaj (15) played a few strokes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-33) then got down to action with the batsman caught behind in the 39th over. Saha took his 10th catch of the Test when Morne Morkel (2) was caught behind off Kumar two overs later. This is an Indian record overseas as Saha went past MS Dhoni who had nine catches against Australia in his last Test at MCG in 2014.
Bumrah completed South Africa's misery as de Villiers holed out in the deep in search of some quick runs, rounding up a dismal morning. Dale Steyn, batting despite a bruised ankle, was the unbeaten batsman.