The lowest target successfully defended by South Africa is an excepitonal, thrilling and ultimately, compelling read of some timely, rigorous and stupendous performances by the team whose ethos is lighting
up the fire. Which is why when in South Africa's case they are referred to as as team that epitomises the spirit of the Proteas fire, it feels right. Few other teams play with the passion and fire and ultimately, the winning resolve that a South Africa competes with. And these are some of the hallmark reasons for which the cricketing unit from the land of the great Madiba entertains and inspires in equal measure. Let us, having said the above, delve a bit deeper than what surface level would do into the realm of the lowest targets successfully defended by South Africa in red ball cricket?
Victory by 5 runs over Australia at Sydney in 1993/94
Over three decades back in the day, the Proteas team fired away a powerful Aussie line up at Sydney, the beating heart of Australian cricket during an exhibition of such fine cricket that the Aussies were held at bay and shred to pieces in a run chase that never belonged to the hosts. That was Proteas fire.
Victory by 30 runs vs India in Kolkata, November 2025
Recently India succumbed to a weird, unpleasant and upsetting 30 run defeat at the hands of the mighty Proteas side that didn't even seem mighty in the first place. But was that the case with the usually buoyant Indian team who thought of itself as being formidable or too tough to be beaten or the somewhere biased cricket media in the country who never actually gave the Proteas side that much of a chance? Regardless, that is something none can say. But what can be said besides the impeccable spin talent of Simon Harmer, whose name sounds familiar to Simon Baker (whose favourite city, by the way, is Calcutta) is that there was absolutely no need, whatsoever, on the part of the Indian team to call Temba Bavuma- names. He, it ought to be remembered, is today not just the captain but an important member of the Kolkata winning side. It's a team that lifted (earlier this year), the World Test Championship. Secondly, does the height of a man qualify him to be made jokes against. If that's the case, then it's the height of insult earned well by Team India that the very man it called a 'midget' referencing him to the colloquial expression 'Bauna' stood stall against a fiercely compettive bowling line up on his way to a fifty.
And if physical features or structure of one's body is indeed the way to define a cricketer, then is our cricketing force Jasprit Bumrah someone whose personality can court the charm that was the case with an Alain Delon or James Dean?
And should that comparison even be made in the first place?
Victory by 53 runs beating Pakistan, 92 all out, in Faislabad in 1997
Nearly three decades ago, the Proteas men beat Pakistan in Pakistan on a difficult wicket in the subcontinent. Several years have passed but that special achievement hasn't yet been forgotten and won't be. The Proteas defended a target that in today's age is the norm in most T20 games, whether international or not.
Victory by 117 runs vs Sri Lanka, 169 all out, at Kandy in 2000
Two and a half decades ago, competing at Kandy against a Sri Lankan side comprising Vaas, Muralidaran, Ranatunga, Sangakkara among the others, the daunting Proteas achieved among the lowest target successfully defended ever against the challenging and brilliant island pearl. What a massive moment that was and shall remains in the world of sports, especially in red ball cricket. The extremely talented Lankan side got scuttled out for 169 in their pursuit of 177 for victory.
Victory by 114 runs vs England, at Trent Bridge in 1951
The only Test match that was drawn in the 3-1 series loss South Africa suffered on that tour to England was at Headingley. The fourth game of that 5-match series. However, the Proteas had headbutted England and brilliantly so in the series opener that took place at Trent Bridge where South Africa restricted England to 114 under the brilliant leadership of then captain Dudley Nourse.
Athol Rowan and Tufty Mann, who took 9 English wickets between them, broke the back of the hosts. And make no mistake- the English side was flooded with legends such as Denis Compton, Sir Alec Bedser, and forget not, Sir Leonard Hutton (Test batting average north of 56). And despite all these big names and rather, still hugely under appreciated greats of the game, the then English side couldn't chase 186 for victory and resultantly, the Proteas won by 71 runs in the end.
FAQs
What is the lowest ever Test target defended by South Africa men's team?
That is the 117 they managed and exceptionally so, against Australia in 1993-94.
What is the lowest ever Test score defended successfully by South Africa's team against England?
That takes us back to the famous Trent Bridge Test match that took place way back in 1951. The Proteas defended 186 against England, in England.
