India, June 15 -- As the clock ticked over to 12.45 pm British Summer Time and Kyle Verreynne slammed a full toss from Mitchell Starc for a piddly single, a nation erupted. Long years of frustration and heartbreak had finally come to an end; after 27 years, South Africa finally had their moment in the sun, their stunning five-wicket triumph over Australia in the final of the World Test Championship erasing the bitter memories of campaigns gone awry, of mishaps of the past, many of which were of their own making.

South Africa's entry into the final of the WTC was met with derisive dismissal; during the two-year cycle, they didn't face Australia or England, and only managed a 1-1 draw at home against India, who thrashes them inside two day...