The Day Faf and AB Broke Hearts: How South Africa Missed a World Record by Just 8 Runs Against India

Imagine the pressure. The entire cricketing world is watching. You need to chase down 458 runs to win a Test match—a target no team in history had ever conquered. You’re the home team, and failure isn’t just a loss; it’s a missed rendezvous with immortality.

That was the reality for South Africa on December 22, 2013, at the iconic Wanderers Stadium. And thanks to a partnership for the gods between Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, they came within a cruel, heartbreaking eight runs of pulling off the impossible. This wasn’t just a draw; it was an epic that redefined what we thought was possible in Test cricket.

This is the story of the legendary Faf AB 458 chase—a day when hope, skill, and sheer willpower turned a pitch into a theatre of dreams.

Table of Contents

• The Stage: Wanderers, 2013
• India’s Dominant First Innings
• The Faf AB 458 Chase Begins
• The Gutsy Partnership That Shook The World
• The Record That Still Stands
• Where Are They Now?
• Conclusion
• Sources

The Stage: Wanderers, 2013

The Wanderers in Johannesburg is no ordinary cricket ground. Known as the ‘Bullring’ for its intimidating, bowl-like structure, it’s a place where only the brave and brilliant survive. In December 2013, it was the arena for the first Test of a highly anticipated series between India and a formidable South African side led by Graeme Smith.

India’s Dominant First Innings

Before the chase, there was a statement. India, powered by a new generation of batters, posted a mammoth 334 in their first innings, with Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane all making significant contributions. They then bowled South Africa out for 249.

Following on, India batted with even greater authority in their second innings. A brilliant 186 from Virat Kohli, supported by Murali Vijay’s 97 and a quickfire 69 from Rohit Sharma, saw them declare at a daunting 421/6. This set South Africa a target of 458 runs to win—the highest ever fourth-innings target in Test history at the time.

The Faf AB 458 Chase Begins

On that final day, South Africa’s openers Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith fell cheaply. At 35/2 and then 82/4, the dream seemed dead on arrival. Enter Faf du Plessis, who had already made a name for himself with a heroic 110* on debut against Australia a year earlier. He was joined by the mercurial genius, AB de Villiers.

What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression and unshakeable nerves. They weren’t just batting; they were rewriting the playbook on the fourth innings in Test cricket.

The Gutsy Partnership That Shook The World

Their fifth-wicket partnership was nothing short of monumental. Faf, with his grit and determination, anchored the innings, while AB, as always, played shots that defied physics. They pushed the Indian bowlers—Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin—to their absolute limits.

The numbers tell the story of their heroics:

• Faf du Plessis: A career-defining 133 off 239 balls, laced with 20 boundaries.
• AB de Villiers: A scintillating 103 off 146 balls, showcasing his full array of strokes.
• Partnership: 192 runs for the fifth wicket.

As the runs flowed, the Wanderers crowd rose to their feet, sensing history. South Africa needed just 8 more runs with three wickets in hand. But in a dramatic finale, AB was dismissed by Zaheer Khan, and the tail couldn’t quite get them over the line. They finished on 450/7, securing a draw but falling agonizingly short of victory .

The Record That Still Stands

To this day, the highest successful run chase in Test cricket remains 418, achieved by the West Indies against Australia in 2003. South Africa’s 450 is the highest fourth-innings total in a draw and remains the closest any team has come to breaking that 418-run barrier .

This match is a permanent fixture in any discussion about the greatest Test matches ever played. It’s a testament to the fact that in cricket, a draw can sometimes feel more satisfying than a win.

Where Are They Now?

That match was a defining moment for its heroes. AB de Villiers went on to cement his legacy as one of the game’s most innovative batters before his international retirement. Faf du Plessis, who captained South Africa across all formats, has since become a T20 superstar, leading teams like the Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL.

For India, the series was a coming-of-age moment for its young batting core. The experience of defending such a massive total, and seeing their efforts pushed to the absolute brink, hardened a young Virat Kohli, Pujara, and Rahane for future battles.

Conclusion

The Faf AB 458 chase is more than just a box score. It’s a story of ambition, resilience, and the razor-thin line between triumph and heartbreak. It reminds us why we love Test cricket—the format where legends are forged in the fires of impossible challenges. Even in failure, Faf and AB achieved something immortal: they gave us a day of cricket we’ll never forget. For more on legendary Test performances, check out our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:greatest-test-matches].

Sources

• Times of India: “OTD: Eight runs short of history”
• ESPNcricinfo Match Report: South Africa vs India, 1st Test, 2013
• Cricbuzz Full Scorecard: India in South Africa 2013
• “A draw for the ages”, The Hindu