Faf du Plessis says the Proteas were outplayed from day one of the Wanderers Test. 

The Proteas collapsed on day four, losing nine wickets for 53 runs to go from a position of strength at 124-1 to 177 all out.

It was an awful batting display from South Africa’s middle order. Apart from Du Plessis, who received a heavily deviated in-swinger that knocked over his stumps, the India bowling attack pummelled the Proteas in an embarrassing fashion.

Poor shot selection saw Hashim Amla, AB de Villers and Quinton de Kock lose their wickets, as the Proteas’ tail was exposed.

India utilised the tricky wicket to their advantage and deservedly claimed a 63-run victory.

‘To be hard on ourselves, from the start we were not at the top of our game,’ said Du Plessis on Saturday.

‘The first-innings total that they got [187] was 30 runs too many. In the second innings, they got 220 and it should have been 180. So in the last innings, we should have chased about 160 [not 241].

‘All in all, it wasn’t a great Test match, considering our skills. We dropped a few catches, got a few no-ball wickets and generally our consistency with the ball [was poor].

‘Especially on this wicket, we needed to make sure we zoned in on the wickets and bowled straight lines. In both innings we were short and wide, which gave them the opportunity to leave a lot more balls. They made us play a lot more.

‘Certainly, we knew if we asked for a wicket with a lot of assistance we would bring the India seam attack into it,’ added Du Plessis.

‘They are very skilful and bowl a touch fuller. They are used to bowling in Indian conditions where you have to attack the stumps and they move the ball around both ways.

‘So that’s what happened in this Test match – quite excessive movement. Although I say that is not good enough, I still think that in our performance we were outplayed by India.’

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