In a stirring batting display by the South Africa national cricket team, the Proteas posted a formidable 489 all-out in their first innings of the second Test against the India national cricket team in Guwahati.

But the moment belonged to the towering all-rounder Marco Jansen, who flashed his power and promise — yet left the field distraught after narrowly missing his long-awaited maiden Test century.

Coming in at No. 9, Jansen exploded into action with an aggressive blitz. From 49 off 51 balls, he accelerated, launching multiple sixes and finding the boundary with ease. His 50 arrived in just 54 deliveries via a lofted shot to the long-on fence.

By the time he reached the 80s, he had pulled the strike and taken full advantage of his long levers. At one point, he dispatched back-to-back sixes over the long-on boundary.

Yet despite his best efforts, Jansen was run out for 89 off 84 balls, leaving the hundred tantalisingly out of reach. India’s bowlers, led by the experienced trio of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, tightened up as the tail-end overs approached.

The run-out came as a mix of good pressure and sheer misfortune: the strike was Jansen’s, and the chance to step into triple figures evaporated.

South Africa’s innings was built on several pillars. The earlier effort by Senuran Muthusamy to reach his maiden Test hundred laid the platform, and the partnership lower down, including Jansen, sealed the deal.

Meanwhile, India found the going tough: despite bursts of effort, the bowlers lacked sustained breakthroughs, and the hosts were on the back foot for much of the innings.

From a precarious 247/6 overnight, South Africa rallied impressively to nearly double their score and put India in a challenging position. The Guwahati pitch offered something for both bat and ball, but the visitors exploited the conditions far better. Strategic batting, mixed with Jansen’s late charge, turned the tide.

For Jansen personally, it was a bittersweet night. On one hand, he showed he has the temperament and technique to bat deep and the muscle to clear ropes with the best of them.

On the other hand, missing out by 11 runs on a maiden ton — when the 100-mark was clearly within his sights — will sting. He will undoubtedly take plenty of confidence from the innings, but the milestone will certainly motivate him for the next outing.

As South Africa hands over the innings lead, India will now face the task of regrouping before their turn to bat. The pressure is on, and the Proteas have signalled that they have more than just their bowlers to rely on: a lower order that can swing momentum and produce a match-defining total. And from their camp, Jansen’s knock will be remembered as one of the highlights — even if it fell just short of the century mark.