Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen were the unlikely heroes as South Africa booked their place at next year’s World Test Championship final following a nervy two-wicket victory over Pakistan.
Chasing 148 on the fourth day of the first Test in Centurion, the Proteas crashed from 96-4 to 99-8 in 12 balls, with Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas running riot on his Test return, before the tail-enders came to South Africa's rescue.
Jansen and No 10 Rabada produced an unbroken 51-run stand either side of lunch to guide the hosts to victory SuperSport Park on Sunday.
Rabada, so often a match-winner as a bowler, went on the attack as a batsman, hitting an unbeaten 31 off 26 balls, while Jansen provided solid support in making 16 not out.
After the win, Proteas' captain Temba Bavuma said: “[It was] quite an emotional one.
“It was a good advert for Test cricket, a bit of a rollercoaster. We did it the hard way but are glad we are able to get the result. We will enjoy the moment.”
Abbas bowled unchanged for 19.3 overs – four of them on Saturday when he took his first two wickets – in a spell of unremitting accuracy on a pitch that gave seam bowlers help throughout the match.
It was a remarkable comeback for Abbas, who claimed his best international figures of 6-54, on his first Test appearance since playing against the West Indies in Kingston in August 2021.
But it was not quite enough for Pakistan, seeking their first win in South Africa in 18 years.
The result ensured South Africa's qualification to the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year.
Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma batted solidly at the start of the day after resuming on 27-3.
The pair put on 43 for the fourth wicket, with Bavuma surviving on 14 – and getting six runs – when he hooked Abbas to fine leg, where Naseem Shah stepped over the boundary in catching the ball.
Markram looked secure but was bowled by Abbas for 37 by a virtually unplayable ball that kept low and seamed back off the pitch.
Bavuma and David Bedingham added another 34 runs until Bavuma uncharacteristically charged down the pitch at Abbas and was given out caught behind for 40.
He walked off immediately but Ultra Edge technology showed the only “spike” was when the ball brushed his trouser pocket.
It was the first of four wickets that fell for three runs in 12 balls. Naseem Shah bowled Kyle Verreynne and Abbas had Bedingham and Corbin Bosch caught behind off successive deliveries.
Rabada and Jansen saw South Africa through to lunch at 116-8 – then polished off the match in just 5.3 overs after the interval, with each stroke cheered by the home spectators.
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.
The second and final Test gets under way on January 3 in Cape Town.
