South Africa secured its place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final after edging out Pakistan by two wickets in one of the most thrilling Test matches at Centurion. The victory marks not only another milestone for the Proteas but also becomes a significant point of discussion due to the scrutiny surrounding their qualification.
On Sunday, fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen emerged as unexpected batting heroes, contributing 31 and 16 runs respectively, which accounted for the final partnership needed to seal the win. Their unbroken last-wicket stand of 51 runs off 50 balls thwarted Pakistan's hopes of claiming their first Test win on South African soil since 2003.
Captain Temba Bavuma expressed his exhilaration post-match, saying, “Quite an emotional moment for me, good advert for test cricket.” He added, “A lot of joy and happiness on our side, glad we were able to get the result.” His sentiments echoed the rollercoaster nature of the match, which saw the team drop from 96-4 to 99-8 before Jansen and Rabada’s efforts turned the tide.
The match displayed high drama, encapsulating the essence of Test cricket, with Rabada's resilience shining through at key moments. His contribution came after South Africa's batting order crumbled under the relentless attacks from Mohammad Abbas, who claimed six wickets for 54 runs, raising hopes for the visitors.
After losing several key wickets, including their captain Bavuma under controversial circumstances, South Africa was perilously close to defeat. Bavuma, who scored 40, controversially walked back to the pavilion believing he had edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. But replays revealed no contact with the bat, indicating it had only brushed his pocket. This dismissal, coupled with three wickets falling for just three runs, left South Africa's victory hopes hanging by a thread.
Despite the shaky moments, South Africa managed to regain composure, securing the valuable win needed to assure their final spot against the backdrop of the tournament’s criticisms. Currently, they sit firmly at the top of the WTC standings with plans for the final slated to take place at Lord’s from June 11-15, 2025.
Criticism surrounding South Africa’s qualification stems largely from the structure of the WTC setup, prompting debates among cricket analysts and former players. Michael Vaughan, former England captain, openly questioned the validity of South Africa reaching the final, criticizing their path and the leniency of the format. He remarked, “They’ve got to the final on the back of beating pretty much nobody.”
Continuing the discourse, Vaughan pointed out, “India, they [South Africa] drew at home 1-1. They haven’t played England, they haven’t played Australia, and they’re in the final. I don’t like the system – I just don’t think it works.” His perspective was echoed by Mark Waugh and Kerry O’Keeffe, who labeled South Africa as the ‘fifth-best team’ globally, questioning the legitimacy of their qualification.
This conversation reflects broader concerns about the competitive balance and fairness of the championship system, which has varied greatly between teams based on the number of matches played and the teams faced. Many feel the system lacks fairness, highlighting disparities where South Africa has played significantly fewer matches against top-ranked teams compared to others.
Despite the criticisms, South Africa remains proud of their achievements, having claimed six consecutive Test wins against West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka prior to their current series against Pakistan. The team has navigated the ups and downs of the tournament structure well, successfully positioning themselves for the pinnacle of the Test calendar.
Pakistan, on their side, faced heartbreak once again, falling short after clawing their way back through Abbas’s remarkable bowling performance. Captain Shan Masood reflected on the need for improvement saying, “I’m extremely proud of the efforts, but going forward as a team, we need to be more ruthless.” His acknowledgment of the team's mistakes hints at future ambitions to clinch tough victories.
The thrilling first Test sets the stage for the second Test at Newlands, where both teams will have their eyes firmly set on improvement and seizing opportunities. South Africa's thrilling win, combined with the ensuing debates about their qualification, paints vivid images of the trials and triumphs of Test cricket, making it increasingly captivating for fans and analysts alike.