Proteas coach Shukri Conrad says their 30-run triumph over India in Kolkata ranks alongside the finest Test victories of his tenure.

South Africa claimed their first Test win in India since 2010 and their first at Eden Gardens since 1996, defending a modest target of 124 thanks in large to spinner Simon Harmer’s 8-51 match haul and a crucial 55* from captain Temba Bavuma.

“We won the World Test Championship final against Australia, but winning here has to be right up there,” Conrad said. “We’ve come here and done something we haven’t done in 15 years, so you can only dream of coming here and winning.”

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On a pitch that deteriorated rapidly across three days, Conrad praised his side’s stubborn resolve.

“Teams have dark experiences of coming here and the psyche is as such, we may feel that we have ability we haven’t tapped into yet,” he explained. “Where we have weaknesses, we make up in the ability to play as a unit, and we show that we never give up.”

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He said the belief within the group is driving standards higher.

“I’m proud of the group and the belief that they have. We’ve won a Test in Pakistan and a Test here, but you don’t come to a country to win a Test – you come to win a series.”

Conrad reserved special praise for Harmer, whose off-spin was central to the victory despite him spending years behind Keshav Maharaj in the pecking order.

“At 36 years old, Harmer should be in the twilight of his career, but he’s been an unexpected godsend,” Conrad said. “We’ve always had decent spinners, but haven’t always had a crop of them.

“Kesh has always been around … but we were always found wanting when we came to Asia, so at some point we had to show belief in our spinners.

“When Simon called me and said he was desperate to play for South Africa, I was also desperate to have him back.”

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