Amid the excitement of the other Boxing Day Tests, South Africa quietly secured their place in the WTC Final on Sunday in Centurion. While 299,329 fans packed into the MCG over four days, only 2,242 spectators witnessed this milestone moment as South Africa defeated Pakistan to confirm their spot at Lord’s in June.
Who will their opponent be? No one knows yet. But does it matter? This victory is about a team, often underestimated, proving they belong at the top. Dismissing South Africa’s qualification based on not playing high-profile teams or varying conditions is misguided.
As the Afrikaans saying goes: “Dit is ‘n feit soos a kooi”—“It’s a fact like a cow.” You may debate its merit, but at the end of the day, it’s a fact. South Africa will play at Lord’s in the WTC Final this June.
The Turning Point
Needing 121 more runs to seal their spot, Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma resumed play on Sunday morning, while Pakistan required seven wickets to keep their hopes alive. As the teams returned to battle on the fourth day, CricViz gave South Africa a 63% chance of victory, while Pakistan’s odds stood at 37%—a fair reflection of the tense contest.
The tension from Saturday evening, when Pakistan took three wickets for just 19 runs in 27 deliveries, seemed to ease in the Sunday sunshine. Markram and Bavuma added 35 runs, bringing South Africa within 86 runs of victory. But then, Mohammad Abbas, bowling with precision, got Markram for 37 with a low delivery that crashed into the off-stump.
What followed was a collapse. Bavuma, looking assured, fell victim to an error. A loose drive at Abbas found its way to Mohammad Rizwan, who completed the catch. Replays, however, revealed Bavuma hadn’t edged the ball—it had clipped his trouser pocket. Yet, without hesitation, Bavuma walked off, refraining from reviewing the decision.
This wasn’t the first time Bavuma had walked unnecessarily. Against Sri Lanka in Centurion in December 2020, he walked after being given out, even though the technology later showed no contact between bat and ball. However, this time the stakes were higher—South Africa, at 96 for 5, were still 52 runs away from the WTC Final, and their hopes appeared to be slipping away.
The slide continued as Naseem Shah bowled Kyle Verreyne, and David Bedingham edged a wide delivery to Rizwan. Local favorite Corbin Bosch then nicked another Abbas delivery. At 99 for 8, with 49 runs still needed, South Africa’s chances seemed bleak.
Jansen and Rabada Turn the Tide
Enter Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada. Against the odds, the pair displayed resilience and composure. At Lunch, they had dragged South Africa to 119 for 8, still needing 32 runs. Jokes circulated that their meal should be liquidized to avoid choking under pressure.
But the second session belonged to them. Jansen, calm and measured, supported Rabada, who unleashed a flurry of boundaries. Rabada hammered five fours in an unbeaten 31 off 26 balls—the third-highest score by a No. 10 in a successful chase. His shots, reminiscent of a towering Brian Lara, left spectators in awe.
Jansen, in contrast, played a cautious yet critical role, scoring 16 not out off 24 balls. Together, they added 51 runs off 50 deliveries to pull off an improbable win.
What This Win Means
This victory exemplifies what good teams do—they find ways to win, even when they shouldn’t. On Sunday in Centurion, South Africa showed grit, determination, and the ability to rise under pressure.
Can they replicate this resilience on the grand stage at Lord’s in June? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: South Africa has earned its place in the WTC Final, and the cricketing world will be watching.