The first of the five test matches was the most remarkable of the series, the Englishmen being beaten by one wicket after they had seemed to have the game in their hands. South Africa had 284 to get in the last innings, and when the sixth wicket fell before lunch the score was only 134. White played wonderfully well, resisting the bowling for four hours and ten minutes, but despite all his efforts - he was out eighth at 226 - forty-five runs were still required when Sherwell, the last man, joined Nourse. Amid ever increasing excitement the runs were hit off, South Africa thus winning by one wicket. Nourse was batting three hours and forty minutes for his 93 not out- in every way a splendid innings. There was nothing exceptional in the cricket of the English team, but Crawford played two good innings, and Lees bowled finely.

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