While not totally satisfied with a score of 282 for seven at the end of the first day of this series deciding third test, he at least had the satisfaction of putting togther an impressive rescue act.
Not only did his innings of 85 do much to tame the wiles of Mushtaq but he had to contend with an aggressive Waqar Younis who had blasted through the top-order in a fiery blitz that had South Africa stunned and reeling at 36 for three in only the 10th over of the innings.
Although he entered a stage set for his grit, determination and discipline he have given some thought to his comments of Thursday night when he said, ``We need more urgency in the top order, but not overly so. But I am determined we will bat much better than at Kingsmead.''
An interesting comment as first Adam Bacher went lbw for the third time in the series: foolishly without playing a stroke and only three to his name; then Jacques Kallis, five overs later, committed a similar blunder and was bowled by Waqar for 10 after a quality off drive for a boundary
And when HD Ackerman discovered the harsh realities of the game a test level when Waqar rocket yorked him for 11, we had the sight of Pakistan's captain Rashid Latif bouncing around behind the stumps with glee. He had won the toss and entrusted the modern day scorpions of fast bowling, Waqar, Wasim and Shoiab, to destroy what hopes South Africa had of squaring this series.
We only saw Cronje emerge from the pavilion after lunch with the score at 81 for four after Gary Kirsten, his senior lieutenant, had surrendered his wicket to Waqar.
After Cronje's antidote took much of the sting from Waqar's intial venom we did get to see this Sultan of Swing, taking his 20th fifth wicket haul and moving his tally of test wickets along to 249. He also admitted what an inspiration it was to have Wasim Akram again at the other end.
Yet Cronje has become battle-hardened enough to know that he had to shoulder the burden of yet another collpase and build a bridge from which South Africa might salvage somthing out of the game over the next four days. he played coolly, calmly and tamed Mushtaq, hitting him for two sixes: one over the short mid-wicket boundary and the second which cannoned into the scoreboard.
It was a stroke which saw Mushtaq, who injured his neck the day before the game, taken out of the attack. Latif, realising the leg-spinner was not going to achieve any further success apart from the bat pad which removed Andrew Huddson for 41 to make it 122 for five, went back to the men he trusted, Waqar and Wasim.
All the time Cronje was building his innings and redeveloping some confidence in the South African camp.
The partnership of 78 with Shaun Pollock and 57 with Mark Boucher gave the innings the substance it needed to lift the South African towards something which would at least giv the bowlers a chance to defend. Although last nigth's post mortem must have dwelled on how Bacher and Kallis got themselves out. Kallis was initially judged lbw by Steve Dunne before the ball flicked off the off bail.
Although Cronje's ability to give South Africa some comfort, the thoughts of Waqar also need attention.
Test pitches have become so slow these days that fast bowlers need to develop a variety of deliveries if they are to win the battle against the elements. He could have also added that the slow surfaces have not helped either. Pitches around the world are becoming slower by the year and that is not good for the game. A fair comment.
Day 4: SA in sight of victory
Trevor Chesterfield
Port Elizabeth - They had a power failure and the band did not turn up at St George's Park yesterday but such minor hinderences failed to stop South Africa moving towards squaring the test series with Pakistan.
On a day rich in entertainment Paul Adams finally got his twist and shout routine act working. It earned the left-arm wrist spinner three for 36, his best test figures of the season, and left the tourists stranded at 120 for seven and a long way from the target of 394 to win this game.
Naturally Bob Woolmer smiled and chatted with amiable good grace after the fourth day's play as Pakistan's batting broke down a second time in the game. They are stil 274 runs short of what they require to take the series 2-0 and only a miracle is going to achieve that on a pitch where the bounce has become variable.
Woolmer also praised the developing abilities of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher whose 10 dismissals so far in this match equals Dave Richardson's ground record. And it must be admitted that the 21-year-old has come along way since that awful performance at the Wanderers almost a month ago.
Yet Adams picked up the gauntlet thrown down by his skipper Hansie Cronje and slowly put it togther. Although loose at first and giving away too many four balls in a brief spell to Saeed Anwar, tightened his line, found his length and the fast bowler's footmarks to get the ball to turn enough to create problems.
His initial spell was from the Duck Pond end and was tight enough. But there were early problems in his second spell. His direction was wayward and he lacked consitency until he dragged Inazamam-ul-Haq forrward enough to give Boucher his first test stumping victim.
It was a smart piece of work from the young man which needed a TV kykweer from the third man, Dave Orchard to give a decision which was fairly clear cut.
From the time Fanie de Villiers claimed his 84th test victim when he trapped Ijaz Ahmed lbw for 14 in the 16th over of the innings Pakistan lost eight wickets in 187 balls and it came as no surprise when Cronje asked for extra overs to finish off the innings.
South Africa bowled three extra overs but the stubborn Azhar and Waqar Younis, who had added 19 runs, held the innings together before bad light forced the umpires to call a halt to game.
Woolmer admitted Cronje had wanted to wrap up the game, which has become the antithesis of the Kingsmead test where South Africa lost by 29 runs and criticism was heaped on their performance to handle the leg-spin of Mushtaq Ahmed.
But they need to come back today to mop up the Pakistan innings. Yet, had the South African batsmen shown more urgency in the pre lunch session the game may have ended in three days if you consider Saturday's washout.
Only Jacques Kallis and HD Ackerman plodded and not plundered the Pakistan bowling which saw the swing of Waqar taking forur ofr 55 to give him 10 wickets for the match. It is the fifth in his career and the first against South Africa.
Day 5: nostalgic farewell
Trevor Chesterfield
Port Elizabeth - Barely hours after a goodwill messsage from the State President, Nelson Mandela, Fanie de Villiers was given a chance to finish off the Pakistan second innings in his farewell test apperance yesterday.
And he did the job as well, yorking Shoiab Ahktar with the 11th ball he bowled in the morning to the Pakistan No 10 at St George's Park to give South Africa victory by 259 rruns to square a series Peter Pollock, the convner of selectors, felt should have been won 2-0.
Apart from being mobbed by his teammates and a congratulatory farwell to umpires Rudi Koetzern and Steve Dunne, Vinninge Fanie, clutching a stump - the spoils of victory - walked into the ring of officials and players for the after-match function.
``It was all a bit emotional,'' De Villiers admitted with his father and mother, Braam and Hanna, sitting with Judy, De Villiers' wife there to see the final curtain call.
And who ever suggests that Hansie Cronje, the South African captain, doesn't have sense of timing or a sentimental streak should have been at St George's Park yesterday. It was a situation begging for such nostalgia.
``He came across to me and said it was my last chance to take a last test wicket,'' De Villiers said.
With Allan Donald removing Waqar Younis to a doubtful catch with the second ball of the morning and then claiming man of the series Azhar Mahmood's wicket 13 balls later, De Villiers might have missed this one last chance for glory.
``It was one of best yorkers I have bowled in my career,'' he said, adding with a laugh `` . . . and people will remember me taking that wicket more than they will the six in the first innings.''
De Villiers said Mandela had congratulated him on his role in the match and what he had acheieved to promote South African cricket during his career. ``He then wished me a happy retirement,'' De Villiers said.
* De Villiers and his long time teammate Pat Symcox are to shortly present a special television show on M-Net.
It is likely to be called the Pat and Fanie show and will handle a wide variety of subjects, not just sport, with large chunks of humour, candid camera shots and serious items.