Even if the Proteas had a Cricket World Cup trophy in the cabinet, the famous 438 ODI would still rank as the greatest day in South African cricket history.  Not necessarily for the significance of the victory (which, as the decider in a five match series against old rivals Australia, it actually was) but rather as the ultimate display of gritty character for which the subsequent Protea test team would truly become known.  The Wanderers stadium, affectionately known as the Bull Ring, instantly became knighted in the same glory and not a single ODI at the ground goes by without mention of that legendary day.   And it seems that the Bull Ring just can’t get enough and regularly produces absolute humdingers when welcoming the Proteas home.  

In January of 2011 India defended a paltry 190 by restricting South Africa to 189 all out in a nailbiter.  Just one year later, Sri Lanka had the better of the Proteas by chasing down a massive 312 with just 1 ball and 2 wickets to spare.  In the subsequent 3 matches to that loss, the Proteas went on to annihilate all their opponents, amassing in excess of 300 runs on every occasion, culminating in the record breaking four-three-nine game against the West Indies in January 2015.  Something like thirteen records were broken in that match (which in itself must be a record) including the fastest 50, 100 and 150 scored by a batsmen.  My favourite record from that day though is that AB De Villiers scored a century after coming to bat in the 39th over, the latest achieved by any batsman, eclipsing his own record by 6 overs.  The Proteas were donned in pink on that famous day.  

Just short of a year later the pink Proteas were back at the Wanderers.  The Proteas needed to win the match to level the 5-match series ahead of the final ODI in Cape Town.  The Proteas had battled through a tough test series against the English (surrendering their number 1 ranking spot) and had lost the 2 opening ODIs to the same opponents.  After pulling things back in Centurion, the Proteas and the people of Johannesburg were in no doubt as to the significance of this match.  And as if the Bull Ring itself appreciated this fact, it produced yet another pulsating thriller.  I do not use the word “pulsating” fleetingly, for the match ebbed and flowed with both teams holding the advantage at different times during the match.  The Proteas won the match by a single wicket in the 48th over after crumbling to 210 for 8 in the 42nd over.  Chris Morris had been at the crease since the 38th over and after the eighth wicket fell, he knew that the burden of victory was laid squarely on his shoulders.  Morris then opened his shoulders and proceeded to plunder the English to all parts of the ground, including powerful sixes and great cover drives.  

In spite of the extended power hitting from Morris, the home crowd always knew that the match was still finely poised.  The English really only needed to get Morris out to ensure a victory and they had a chance to do just that in the 42nd over when Rashid dropped Morris when he was on just 14 of 15 balls.  Morris did not need a second invitation!  Up to that point many people had given up hope.  A few people even streamed out of the stadium (oh how they must be kicking themselves).  But once the Wanderers faithful started to sense an unlikely victory, the crowd became an even louder live being.  Every ball was a focus point and defensive blocks from Kyle Abbott were cheered with the same ferocity as boundary strokes from Morris.  The crowd became an active player on the field, pestering the English bowlers every time they ran in.  Players at the Bull Ring always feel as if the crowd is on top of them; and more so when they sense a victory.  We sang with gusto between every over until we burst into the Wanderers anthem: take me home country road.  That might have been a bit premature as Morris was dismissed with only one run required.  But, as Makhaya Ntini did in 2006, Imran Tahir strode confidently to the crease at number 11.  The biggest cheer was reserved for the leg spinner when he threaded another leg spinner from Rashid through a packed inner circle for the winning runs.  The crowd let their tension loose and celebrated loudly with raised fists.  This humdinger will be remembered for many things but for me, I will remember that never-say-die South African character.  It brought the Protea Fire slogan to life again.