South Africa beat Pakistan on day four of this week’s second and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town.
The Proteas compiled 615 all out after a double-century from opener Ryan Rickelton and tons from captain Temba Bavuma and wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne. Pakistan responded with 194 all out and followed on with 478 all out.
South Africa then moved to 58 without loss inside eight overs for a 10-wicket victory. Rickelton did not open the batting in the fourth innings at Newlands. Middle-order batsman David Bedingham was moved to the top of the order instead – and hit 47 not out from 30 deliveries.
The match result gave the Proteas a two-nil series win. They had won the first Test in Centurion by two wickets. South Africa have now won seven consecutive Tests after series wins over the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Rickelton and seamer Marco Jansen were South Africa’s top run-scorer and wicket-taker, respectively, in this series. Rickelton collected 267 runs in three innings. This included a record 259 – the joint seventh-highest individual score in Test cricket by a South African batsman.
The Proteas played this series without injured fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee. Titans all-rounder Corbin Bosch and Lions fast bowler Kwena Maphaka debuted in Test cricket during this series.
The last time South Africa played a Test at Newlands, in early 2024, India won inside two days.
South Africa will play Australia in the final of the International Cricket Council’s 2023-25 World Test Championship at Lord’s in London, England, in June.
South Africa will not play another Test until the WTC final. Australia will soon play a Test series against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand won the 2019-21 WTC title. India ended in second position and Australia third. England were fourth. South Africa were fifth.
Australia won the 2021-23 WTC title. India ended in second position and South Africa third. England were fourth. Sri Lanka were fifth.
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