South Africa vs India 2018: Three instances when South Africa showed their cricketing spirit

South Africa is one of the teams that is known for their cricketing spirit. They do not give up very early in any instance of a game. In fact, they are the team who chased down what seemed a tedious task of 438 runs in an ODI in the year 2006.

Everyone has shown their character, whether it was Jonty Rhodes or AB de Villiers.

Here's a look:

Dale Steyn batted with heel injury, 2018

South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn couldn't do much after sustaining a left heel injury on Day 2 of the first Test held between India and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town.

Wickets were falling in packets from the other end while AB De Villiers was batting. Dale Steyn came out to bat for the last wicket and faced 4 balls in his unbeaten innings as it was eventually AB who got out to Bumrah as SA innings ended for just 130 runs. South Africa won the match by 72 runs.

Earlier, Steyn was forced to leave the field on Day 2 after claiming two wickets but without completing his last over before tea. He sustained serious tissue damage to his left heel as he landed awkwardly in a foot-hole. He will be out for another six weeks, after making a comeback after a year-long break - showing the gravity of the situation.

Graeme Smith batted with broken finger, 2009

This incident took place in 2009 at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a Test match against Australia. Graeme Smith was hit by a Mitchell Johnson delivery that broke his left-hand finger during the first innings.

Immediately, the skipper had to rush off the field. In the second innings, the Aussies started celebrating after South Africa lost their 9th wicket but it was Graeme Smith who came out to bat with his broken finger.

The entire crowd rose to the occasion. Smith survived 17 deliveries before getting out as Australia won the match with by 103 runs with 10 deliveries remaining. It was an inspirational innings in world cricket.

Jacques Kallis batted with chest injury, 2011

Jacques Kallis [file photo]

It was a fine century from an injured Jacques Kallis that put South Africa in a commanding position in the third Test during India's tour to SA in 2011. After the series was drawn 1-1, it was Jacques Kallis who endured painful chest injuries and the pressure of an early batting collapse to hit his second century of the deciding third test.

He was hit on the chest by a speeding delivery from India's S Sreesanth during his innings of 161 runs in the first innings as he added 100 more runs with the tail-enders to take South Africa to a score of 362 runs.

Kallis also scored his second century during the second innings, an unbeaten 109 runs to rescue the Proteas and set a target of 340 runs against India.