It was a transitional South Africa side, captained by a youthful Graeme Smith, that toured England during the summer of 2003.
Nevertheless, despite having made a number of alterations heading into the five-Test series, the Proteas were in command courtesy of a 2-1 lead as the two teams headed to The Oval for the final encounter.
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What's more, when they ended day one on 362-4, it seemed that any chance hosting England had of levelling the series was gone. The bookmakers certainly believed that was the case, with some offering odds of 40-1 on a victory for Michael Vaughan's men.
Yet, over the next three days, England started to provide suggestions that they could pull off the unthinkable. Their 604-9 declared had put them in command, meaning that when South Africa resumed on the final day - 12 years ago today - they were under pressure on 185-6, which was a lead of just 65 runs.
There had been talk that the South African tail would wag, but in just the fourth over of play, England bowler Martin Bicknell had removed two batsmen in consecutive deliveries.
Mark Boucher was first to go for 25 when he edged an outswinger to Alec Stewart, before his replacement Andrew Hall spooned the first ball that he had faced straight to Ed Smith at midwicket.
Fully aware that he was running out of partners, Shaun Pollock started to swing his bat more freely in the hope that runs could be piled onto the South African total swiftly. But, having reached 43, his luck ran out when he was caught by Graham Thorpe off the bowling of Steve Harmison.
The same bowler claimed the wicket of Makhaya Ntini soon after, which meant that the tourists had been dismissed for 229. It left England with a victory target of just 110 - something that would have been difficult to fathom at stumps on the first day.
In reply, skipper Vaughan's poor form with the bat continued when he fell to Jacques Kallis for 13, but that would be the only wicket that England lost as Marcus Trescothick (69) and Mark Butcher (20) secured one of their nation's most famous victories of recent times by nine wickets.
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Speaking after the celebrations, Vaughan said: "Throughout my short career to date this is my best Test victory.
"[South Africa] were 362-4 after the first day on a good batting pitch and to show the character we did and come back was a fantastic team effort. Steve Harmison was fantastic and Martin Bicknell on his home ground was exceptional."
Meanwhile, match-winner Trescothick, who had scored 219 in the first innings, added: "It's just been a great gig and a great game of cricket for all of us.
"I've worked hard on my game throughout the whole series. I've had some tough wickets to bat on and things haven't always gone my way. This time I got a bit of luck along the way - that's the way it goes."
Liam Apicella
