Proteas ratings: Harmer’s redemption, Jansen's all-round class and Muthusamy's coming of age

South Africa’s 2–0 series sweep of India on Indian soil will go down as one of the greatest achievements in Proteas Test history.

For a nation that had known only heartbreak in the subcontinent, this tour delivered redemption, resilience and a performance level few believed possible against an India side at home.

Across two gripping Tests, the Proteas’ players produced career-defining moments, from Simon Harmer’s masterclass with the ball to Tristan Stubbs’ emergence with the bat and Marco Jansen’s all-round brilliance.

With the dust now settled on a landmark triumph, Independent Media's Ongama Gcwabe rate the Proteas’ performances.

Temba Bavuma – 7/10

For his captaincy alone, Bavuma stood out, setting the right fields and choosing the correct bowling combinations at key stages. When he brought on Keshav Maharaj to bowl to Axar Patel in the first Test in Kolkata, it seemed to backfire until the experienced spinner got the job done and led the Proteas to victory. With the bat, Bavuma's unbeaten 55 in Kolkata was key to the Proteas winning that first Test and the series.

Corbin Bosch – 6

Bosch only played the first Test in Kolkata, and he was instrumental in South Africa winning that match by 30 runs. The all-rounder took a good catch on the boundary, claimed important wickets and played a key knock in the second innings alongside Bavuma, helping the Proteas put up a defendable score.

Tony de Zorzi – 6

In India, De Zorzi did not replicate the returns he enjoyed in Pakistan. However, he produced a few innings where he looked really good, especially the 49 he scored in Guwahati. His aggression with the bat and fearlessness against spin stood out on this tour.

Simon Harmer – 9

Talk about redemption. Harmer took 17 wickets at an average of eight in the two Tests and dried up the runs, conceding less than two an over throughout the series. He walked away with both the Player of the Match award in Kolkata and the Player of the Series award. It was a huge turnaround for him after a relatively quiet tour a decade ago.

Marco Jansen – 9

Jansen had a dream series in India. With Rabada injured, the left-arm fast bowler stepped up when the team needed him most and carried the attack. His six-for in Guwahati, coupled with his 93 with the bat, summed up an outstanding series for the tall all-rounder.

Keshav Maharaj – 5

For South Africa's premier spinner, Test cricket in India continues to throw curveballs. Many expected him to dominate, and when he did not, it came as a surprise. Still, Maharaj took key wickets, with his two in the final over in Kolkata helping the Proteas seal the match. That was his standout moment of the tour.

Aiden Markram – 6

With the bat, Markram had a quiet series, averaging 25. Opening in India is never easy, and his partnerships with Ryan Rickelton were important, including their 82-run stand in the second Test. In the field, he was excellent, taking a record-breaking nine wickets in one Test in Guwahati.

Wiaan Mulder – 4

Mulder had plenty of starts but struggled to convert them into big scores. He made 83 runs in four innings, with a highest score of 35. At times, he looked good against a strong India attack, which is promising for the future. With the ball, he was disciplined, taking the new ball with Jansen, but he went unrewarded.

Senuran Muthusamy – 8

Muthusamy played only the second Test in Guwahati, having missed the first in Kolkata, but his impact was immense. He smashed his maiden century and laid the foundation for South Africa’s series sweep.

Ryan Rickelton – 5

The opener had been in good form in Pakistan, but this tour was always going to be difficult against Bumrah and Siraj with the new ball. Despite not kicking on, Rickelton and Markram laid solid foundations for the middle order.

Tristan Stubbs – 8

Stubbs had been under pressure for months, with runs hard to come by. But in India, one of the toughest places for a Proteas batter, he delivered. He scored 163 runs in four innings at an average of 54 and finished as the top scorer in the series. His 94 in the second innings in Guwahati was a huge statement.

Kyle Verreynne – 4

Behind the stumps, Verreynne was impressive, leading the fielding effort and taking good catches. With the bat, he took time to adapt to the conditions and India’s tactics, scoring only 70 runs in three innings. His 45 in the first innings in Guwahati was the highlight of his tour.