It took Samson more than eight years to bring up his maiden international hundred and the timing couldn’t have been more opportune as it unfolded during the series decider.
The landmark moment for him came when he pushed Maharaj to long-off for a single as the dressing room went on its feet to applaud a fine dig.
Samson reached his century off 110 balls with six fours and two sixes and added another six before he skied a catch to mid-off.
Samson discovered an ideal partner in the composed Tilak Varma, who notched up his maiden ODI fifty with a composed 52 off 77 balls. Together, they built a crucial partnership of 116 runs for the fourth wicket, propelling India to a total of 296/8.
For a significant portion of his innings, Samson set aside his aggressive intent, focusing on accumulating singles and twos, a strategy aligned with the characteristics of the Boland Park pitch, which offered a bit of challenge.
Yet, the right-hander occasionally unleashed his T20 flair, exemplified by smashing pacer Nandre Burger for a substantial six over mid-wicket and executing a graceful inside-out loft over cover off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for a four.
