Just days after South Africa’s much-criticised squad to tour New Zealand was decried as the darkest moment of their modern Test history, it might have been beaten.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first in the second Test against India in Cape Town, the Proteas couldn’t even make it through to lunch, embarrassingly capitulating for just 55 in 23.2 overs of madness.

Indian quick Mohammad Siraj was the chief destroyer with remarkable figures of 6/15, while second-Test seamer Mukesh Kumar wrapped up the tail to finish with 2/0.

Remarkably, seven of the ten fell to catches behind the wicket – the exceptions first Test hero and acting captain Dean Elgar, who chopped Siraj on for just 4; Tristan Stubbs, who inside-edged Jasprit Bumrah to short leg; and Keshav Maharaj, whose top-edge off a wild slog to Bumrah at mid-wicket might have been the worst dismissal of all.

The score is the Proteas’ lowest in a Test since 1932, while not since 1889 have they mustered a lower total after winning the toss and batting first.

The horror show comes after Cricket South Africa controversially named a second- or even third-string side to tour New Zealand for two Tests later this year, with only players without a contract in their local SAT20 competition permitted to travel.

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