Jansen, Rabada heroics lead South Africa to victory over Pakistan

South Africa navigated a thrilling fourth day to defeat Pakistan in the first Test Cricket at Centurion, booking their place in the World Test Championship final as a result.

The Proteas began day four on 27/3 with a target of 148 to win, having made 301 runs in their first innings and bowling Pakistan for 211 and 237 earlier in the Test.

Heavy favourites to win across cricket betting sites, Aiden Markram (37) and Temba Bavuma (40) started well.

The two shifted live betting app odds further in their favour, making the chase look like a formality as they added 35 runs in the morning session to take the home side through to 62/3.

Even when Markram fell, Bavuma looked assured, and added a further 34 runs alongside David Bedingham (14) to bring South Africa 52 runs shy of the target with six wickets in hand.

A quartet of wickets then flipped the game on its head, with Bavuma’s exit followed quickly by Kyle Verreynne (2), Bedingham and Corbin Bosch (0).

Suddenly, Bet365 had Pakistan as favourites to win the Test, as 49 more runs were required with just two wickets in hand.

Marco Jansen (16) and Kagiso Rabada (31), more known for their bowling, dug in and saved the day, however, sharing an unbeaten 51-run stand to take South Africa over the finish line.

“Quite an emotional moment for me,” Bavuma said after the match.

“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.

“Today was a testament and speaks to the character of not just this group and South African group.

“We haven’t been ruthless but have found a way to ensure the result was on our side.”

Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood bemoaned his side’s inability to be ruthless when it matters, drawing parallels to their missed opportunities in Australia earlier in the year as well.

“Extremely proud of the efforts,” he said.

“But going forward, we need to be ruthless.

“We have been competing well in these conditions.

“Said that in Australia as well.

“We had the game by the scruff of the neck, we had them eight down twice.

“Even with the bat, we could have extended our score in the first innings 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.”

Who joins South Africa in the WTC final next June is yet to be determined, with Australia, India and Sri Lanka still in the running.

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