South Africa’s tailenders, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, produced a gritty stand to deliver a tense two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Centurion, securing the Proteas’ place in the 2023-2024 World Test Championship (WTC) final. This thrilling win came on Day 4 of the match, after a dogged display by the Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who took 6-54 and had his side on the brink of a win.
With South Africa needing 148 runs to win, they were at a precarious 99-8 after Abbas’s relentless spell left them in deep trouble. The home team was on the verge of collapse, having lost four wickets for just three runs. However, the South African tailenders fought back, with Jansen (16 not out) and Rabada (31 not out) sharing an unbroken 51-run stand that saw them home. Rabada, in particular, played a key role in securing the win, smashing five boundaries in his quickfire knock, while Jansen sealed the match with a boundary against Abbas.
“We haven’t been ruthless but have found a way to ensure the result was on our side,” said South African captain Temba Bavuma, reflecting on the roller-coaster nature of the match. Bavuma, who contributed 40 runs earlier in the day, added, “It’s a good advert for Test cricket…a lot of joy and happiness on our side.”
Abbas’s impressive return to Test cricket, after more than three years out of the team, almost led Pakistan to their first Test win in South Africa in nearly 18 years. The fast bowler bowled a marathon 13-over spell, breaking South Africa’s middle order, including the controversial dismissal of Bavuma. The Proteas captain was dismissed after not reviewing a ball that replays suggested may have brushed his pocket rather than the inside edge of his bat.
Bavuma and Aiden Markram (37) had initially fought hard to stave off the pressure, seeing off a testing spell from Abbas after South Africa resumed the chase at 27-3, still needing 121 runs. Despite several close calls, the pair had managed to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers before Abbas broke the partnership, dismissing Markram with a superb delivery that knocked over his off stump.
South Africa’s chase took another blow when Bavuma was dismissed, followed by the quick departures of David Bedingham (14), Corbin Bosch (0), and Kyle Verreynne, who was bowled out after an inside edge onto his stumps. With their back against the wall, Rabada and Jansen’s calm and composed partnership saw the Proteas over the line, ensuring they stayed on top of the WTC standings.
This victory is particularly significant for South Africa, as they had a shaky start to their WTC campaign, drawing 1-1 against India and suffering a 2-0 sweep in New Zealand. Since then, they have enjoyed a strong run, defeating the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka to earn a spot in the WTC final. Bavuma was proud of his team’s resilience, especially considering the setbacks they faced early on in the competition.
India, Australia, and Sri Lanka remain in the hunt for a spot in the final, which will take place in June 2024 at Lord’s in London. “The way we started our campaign against India and New Zealand, and the way we’ve performed since then—it’s been an incredible journey,” Bavuma said.
Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood, while disappointed by his team’s failure to seize key moments, praised the effort of his players. “We keep making the same mistakes, but we have to get over the line, seize moments,” he said.
The second Test of the series will begin on Friday in Cape Town, where Pakistan will look to bounce back and level the series.
