South Africa have guaranteed their place in next year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s after a nerve-shredding two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Centurion.
Chasing 148 in the series opener, the Proteas stumbled from the relative calm of 96-4 to a perilous 99-8 in 12 balls, with Mohammad Abbas running riot on his Test return.
But Marco Jansen (16 not out) and Kagiso Rabada (31no) defied a few tense moments to stitch together an unbroken 51-run stand either side of lunch on day four that got South Africa over the line.
The Test had a finish more like that of a Twenty20 match as the tail-enders delivered success after the hosts had slumped dramatically before lunch and offered Pakistan the chance to win a Test in South Africa for the first time in 18 years.
Rabada, who is ranked as the second-best Test bowler, emerged, however, as an unlikely batting hero, while Jansen delivered the winning runs with a classy drive to the boundary, amid scenes of delirious celebration.
“Quite an emotional one and a good advert for Test cricket. A lot of joy and happiness for us but a bit of a rollercoaster. We did it the hard way but we’re glad to be able to get the result,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.
The home side’s triumph earns them a maiden appearance in the World Test Championship showpiece in June, with Australia, India and Sri Lanka all vying to join them at the ‘Home of Cricket’.
Defeat for Pakistan was especially tough on Abbas, who claimed international-best figures of 6-54 on his first Test appearance since August 2021.
“I’m extremely proud of our efforts but going forward as a team, we need to be more ruthless. We have to seize the moments that Test cricket provides,” said Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
South Africa have now won six successive Tests, starting with success in the West Indies in August and following it with two Test series wins, in Bangladesh and then at home to Sri Lanka last month.
The second and final Test of the series gets under way on January 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.
