South Africa
Springboks win... at cricket
ESPN Staff
December 6, 2014
You knew Willie le Roux ran like the wind but did you know he bowled just as fast? © Getty Images
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The Springboks have bounced back from a mixed tour of Europe with an impressive win... at cricket.

They weren't just playing anyone, either. They were taking on their cricketing counterparts The Proteas, spearheaded by Dale Steyn, one of the world's most feared fast bowlers, and as classy a batsman as any, Hashim Amla.

The match took place at the Wanderers ground in Johannesburg on the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela's death, was refereed by Craig Joubert and played out in front of a large crowd. It was the second time the fixture had taken place, after the Proteas comfortbaly saw off the Boks in January of this year.

For all the Proteas' obvious cricketing class, I see your Steyn and your Amla and I raise you Willie Le Roux and Victor Matfield.

This pair were the Proteas' destroyers-in-chief, with Le Roux producing a remarkable spell of bowling (three wickets for four runs) to stop the Proteas in their tracks just as they looked set to run away with it after Amla won the toss and chose to bat first. The skipper's classy 51 helped them to an imposing 181 from their 20 overs, a total that could have been far greater had the wily Le Roux not intervened. Centre-cum-opening bowler Damien de Allende also made a vital contribution, with 3-32 from three overs, including flummoxing Quinton de Kock with a masterful slower ball.

This looked an imposing target, but from the moment Matfield strode to the crease, the result was not in doubt. The mighty lock smashed 62 from 36 balls, including eight boundaries and two maximums, with Steyn receiving particularly brutal treatment, going for for 29 runs from his three wicketless overs.

A steady hand from keeper Butch James guided the Boks through the middle overs before some crisp hitting from Jan Serfontein and expert finisher Alberts (24 from seven balls) saw them home.

You can see the full scorecard from the Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup here thanks to our friends at ESPNcricinfo.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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