South Africa qualifies for the WTC final with a dramatic 2-wicket win against Pakistan
Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen led South Africa to a stunning two-wicket victory over Pakistan on the fourth day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Sunday. South Africa, needing 148 to win, fell to 99 for eight against Mohammad Abbas’ excellent bowling. The 34-year-old Abbas had a career-high six for 54. But Rabada, who was frequently a match-winner as a bowler, went on the attack as a batsman, blasting an unbeaten 31 off 26 balls, while Jansen gave good support with 16 not out.
South Africa won the first Test and, barring any further point deductions, were the first side to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s from June 11 to 15, 2025, after defeating Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling finish at Centurion on Sunday.
A thrilling, undefeated 51-run stand between Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada at the ninth wicket helped the home team, chasing 148 for victory, rally from 19 for three and 99 for eight to cross the finish line on day four.
Pakistan, who are notoriously unpredictable, came dangerously near to pulling off a spectacular shock. The visitors, headed by Mohammad Abbas, had the hosts on the verge of loss as he destroyed South Africa’s middle and lower order with an incredible six-wicket haul. The South African batsmen were left reeling by Abbas’ unrelenting precision and brilliance, which reduced them to 99/8 and put Pakistan in position for a historic victory.
Kyle Verreynne was bowled by Naseem Shah, while Abbas caught Bedingham and Corbin Bosch behind consecutive deliveries. With every stroke applauded by the home crowd, Rabada and Jansen led South Africa to lunch at 116 for eight before finishing the match in only 5.3 overs after the break.
Abbas’ mastery was the highlight of Pakistan’s moments. His 6/56 spell, which demonstrated his perfect control and cunning, destroyed South Africa’s middle and lower order. Despite their great support from Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah, they failed to take the last two wickets. Although Abbas deserved more for his hard bowling during the first session, South Africa’s tenacity held fast.
South Africa chased down a difficult target and pulled off a win that appeared unlikely an hour before the match ended, capping a battle that swung dramatically.
With just one Test left in the cycle, the Proteas have now won six straight Test matches, extending their incredible run of success to 66.67 percentage points at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings.
Aiden Markram, Player of the Match: “Pretty relieved now. That was really tense. To get on the right side of it, means a lot. To make it to a final is really special. Relieved now, but full of emotions. Today was the most important, would have loved to take us home and be there at the end. Could not work out that way unfortunately. Different challenge each day, your options and game-plans have to change accordingly. Would have liked to be more clinical, but sometimes, you just take the win with open arms and move on to the next one. I will never be one for milestones, I know I am not going to break any records. Just about winning games for SA and contributing to wins. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. But when you can make an impact, it means a lot and all is worth it if you can get on the right side. It was challenging. Fortunate to have played a lot of cricket here. Never in as a batter, bit up and down, lots of lateral movement. Got to balance that with scoring runs as well, not just surviving. Fortunately, it worked out well this week.”
Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain: “Quite an emotional moment for me. Good advert for Test cricket. Lot of joy and happiness on our side, a bit of a rollercoaster. Glad that we were able to get the result. Not much of a conversation, I was still sulking in the toilet. Aiden, leading the boys, tried to keep them positive. I’d like to say there was still confidence and belief in doing. I came out when we needed about 15 runs, did not come out fully into the viewing area. It was a tough one. It is a big one. Not just for myself but also the team and the coach. Looking at the way we started our campaign, against India and then New Zealand with a not-so-strong team, and the way we have gone through with our performances…not many gave us a chance. We have overcome a lot. We haven’t been ruthless but have found a way to ensure the result was on our side. Today was a testament and speaks to the character of not just this group and South African group. We can pick on certain individuals at times but performances like this, give reason to say that these guys are here for a reason and are the best. We will enjoy the moment. I don’t know who is going to speak in the changing room. Shukri might find a few words, definitely won’t be me. Speaks a lot to what we have done and we have set out to achieve. Did I not nick it? Not too sure, not sure.”
Shan Masood, Pakistan captain: “Extremely proud of the efforts. But going forward, we need to be ruthless. We have been competing well in these conditions. Said that in Australia. We had the game by the scruff of the neck, we had them eight down. Even with the bat, we could have extended our score and our target. That is what we have to do to compete and be among the top teams in the WTC. We have pointed it out as a team. When we started off, it was challenging in the first hour. But I lost my wicket, then we lost three in clusters, then two in a row, and then two in a row again. We had them eight down twice, and those are opportunities we need to take. When Babar and Saud were in, and then Saud and Jamal…you want that extra cushion of fifty runs to allow you to compete. I am a huge believer in learning. We keep making the same mistakes but we have to get over the line, seize moments. There are moments where you get that extra cushion and we have to finish off games and we have to finish off batting and bowling innings as well.That is what you want – an effort like that being on the winning side. Saud was great as well. If he had batted with more batters, he would have gotten his hundred too. Those performances win you games, but unfortunately, we could not get past the line.”
