India, Feb. 5 -- After more than two decades of sporting isolation owing their apartheid policy, South Africa returned to international cricket towards the end of 1991, the Board of Control for Cricket in India taking the lead in facilitating the African nation's cricketing comeback. During their first One-Day International series ever in November 1991, South Africa showcased great skills and wonderful nous, reiterating that the sport was vibrant and thriving in that country despite their sustained absence from competitive international cricket.

India managed to eke out a 2-1 victory then, but the South Africans did them no favours whatsoever four months later, in their maiden World Cup appearance in 1992. Led by Kepler Wessels, formerly...