South Africa beat Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test at SuperSport Park to reach the World Test Championship final to be held next year in England.
Kagiso Rabada emerged as an unexpected batting hero alongside Marco Jansen, guiding South Africa to victory on the fourth day. Chasing a target of 148 runs, the home team found themselves in a precarious position at 99 for eight, facing a formidable performance from Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas, who achieved a career-best six wickets for 54 runs.
Rabada, however, was not ruffled by the early collapse and played a resolute unbeaten 31 off 26 balls. Jansen supported him ably with 16 not out as they saw their team through in a tight finish.
Abbas was unstoppable, bowling continuously for 19.3 overs, including four the previous day, showing remarkable skill and precision on a pitch that assisted the seamers throughout the match. This was a comeback match for Abbas, who had not played since August 2021. For Pakistan, it was a disappointing loss as they were looking to win their first Test in South Africa in almost two decades.
The day began with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma resuming at 27 for three. The two shared 43 for the fourth wicket in a stand that ended when an epic collapse swept aside the rest of the batting. Markram was bowled by Abbas for 37, after looking solid in his stroke-making, and Bavuma contributed 40 runs before falling to a highly disputable caught behind decision, as Ultra Edge displayed only a slight brush to his trouser pocket.
That provoked a spate of wickets, four for three in 12 balls, and South Africa went to lunch at 116 for eight, the result far from nailed on. The home crowd enjoyed a rush of strokes after the break, though, as Rabada and Jansen hauled in the remaining runs in quick style.
