Many Proteas players including Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Chris Morris were not part of the series against Pakistan due to the IPL.
The home side were in the game at 107 for three when left-arm spinner Maharaj (5-36) claimed the scalp of Kieran Powell (51), who tried to launch him to the midwicket boundary but picked out lone fielder Anrich Nortje.
It was a dream comeback to the XI by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit 2 sixes and 9 boundaries for his 41-ball 68.
David Warner slogged his way to his third double-hundred from 254 balls before succumbing to cramps and limping off with the aid of a trainer.
South Africa were sent in to bat and posted a formidable 207 for 3 in their 20 overs, before restricting the home side to 149 all out in 16.4 overs of a reply in which the home side struggled from the start.
On Monday, October 4, on his 24th birthday, Rishabh Pant took to the field against his idol Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team in a crucial IPL 2021 encounter.
The Punjab Kings, who have heavily relied on skipper Shikhar Dhawan, will need their batters to step up as they face a confident Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday.
Rajasthan Royals would be banking on their near-perfect combinations in almost all departments of the game to put up another commanding performance when they take on a strong Punjab Kings.
Kohli is confident that Pant will not repeat his mistakes and make his opportunities count.
Vaibhav Arora was troubling us in nets, that's why he got debut, reveals PBKS batter Shikhar Dhawan
It will be a battle between Liam Livingstone and Lockie Ferguson.
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12s match between West Indies and South Africa, in Dubai, on Tuesday.
Images from the IPL 2022 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings at Mumbai
Their play-off hopes dashed, both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings will be keen to end IPL 2022 on a winning note when the two teams clash in a dead rubber in Mumbai on Sunday.
Delhi Capitals will expect a more purposeful approach from its Indian batting unit as it plays for pride against Punjab Kings.
Thrust into the leadership role, a completely transformed Rishabh Pant carries a lot of hope and responsibility on his shoulders as Delhi Capitals aim to build on the success of the last edition in the UAE, where they finished runners-up to Mumbai Indians.
He joins injured fast bowler Kagiso Rabada on the sidelines.
Avesh Khan registered magnificent figures of 3/15 in his four overs, which included 16 dot balls, to limit Mumbai Indians to a below par 129/8 in their 20 overs.
Titans look to forget Rinku Singh's onslaught against Punjab Kings
Rajasthan are third on the points table, and it is mostly because of the flamboyant Jos Buttler.
From shining in age-group and league cricket in Chennai to a breakout season in Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) before being fast-tracked into the state white-ball teams, things have moved rather swiftly for B Sai Sudharsan as he broke into the IPL.
India will need another near perfect game to take the five-match series into the decider.
60 runs came off the last 5 overs and that's where the game tilted in the favour of the defending champions.
While the batting looks in perfect shape, India's new-look pace department needs to come up with something special against the Proteas in Cuttack on Sunday.
Having made it to the IPL for the first time ever, Delhi Capitals are up against the rampaging Mumbai Indians, who have already beaten them thrice this season and are looking all set for their fifth IPL title.
Images from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, in Ahmedabad, on Sunday.
Punjab Kings are placed eighth while Chennai Super Kings occupy the penultimate slot in the 10-team IPL points table.
Iyer's teammate pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar jumped three spots to 17th on the bowler rankings, while former captain Virat Kohli, who was rested for the Sri Lanka T20Is, fell out of the top 10 - he dropped five places to 15th.
Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen hit half-centuries before Yasir Shah's late strikes gave Pakistan the upperhand, on Day 3 of the first Test, in Karachi, on Thursday.
England wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings believes the upcoming Indian Premier League will be good preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year but conceded that he will get limited game time due to the 'phenomenal' competition in the Delhi Capitals' squad.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the opening Test between South Africa and India, in Centurion, on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the 2nd ODI played between India and South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday.
A 'Go To' man in Kolkata Knight Riders for more than a decade, Sunil Narine will have to play out of his skin to justify his place in the playing eleven when his team takes on Punjab Kings in a must-win Indian Premier League game in Kolkata on Monday.
Winless after four games, Mumbai Indians will be desperate to reverse the trend when they face Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022 match in Pune on Wednesday.
There were many memorable performances in the league stages.
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12 match between South Africa and India, in Perth, on Sunday.
PHOTOS of the IPL 2023 match between Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans played at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.
Capitals were the best team in the league and their 20-point finish at the group stage was an indication of their consistent performances which didn't dip due to the COVID-19 forced break. CSK, over the years, have been in final eight times and won on three occasions which speak volumes of the team's ability to lift their game just when it's required most.
Kohli constantly looked up as he made his way back, asking: 'What else do you want me to do?'
Ben Stokes survived several scares but featured in a 76-run late afternoon partnership with Ollie Pope as England reached 224 for four wickets at close on the opening day of the third Test against South Africa on Thursday.
