Three years later, against the South Africans Tendulkar struck a valiant 97 in the first innings when the Indians collapsed for 225 runs. Three short of a heroic century, the Mumbaikar edged veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
In the same match, Tendulkar turned his golden arm to pick up three wickets for 10 runs, as the South Africans were skittled out for 176 in the first innings. But South African skipper Hansie Cronje and Shaun Pollock ran through the Indian batting in the second innings, and the visitors went on to register a four-wicket win.