The Proteas breathed a sigh of relief after qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, England, on June 11 next year.
This after they beat Pakistan in a nail-biting match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday afternoon, to become the first team to book a seat at the final.
The hosts started day four of the first of a two-match Test series on 27 for the loss of three wickets.
The team couldn’t however take control of the match, and at one point, only needed 52 runs to win with six wickets in hand.
But the Proteas made life difficult for them, as four wickets tumbled, and only managed to add two runs in a quarter of an hour.
The team was however rescued by bowlers Kagiso Rabada (31 off 36) and Marco Jansen (16 off 24), who both managed 51 off 50, to send the crowd wild.
Captain Temba Bavuma said he was speechless during the final moments and had no words to encourage the batters.
“I was in the toilet, I was sulking.
I didn’t know what to say to the batters, Marco and KG,” said an elated Bavuma after the match.
Despite the win and qualification, coach Shukri Conrad, wasn’t pleased about the team’s performance, and hopes that there will be improvement ahead on the WTC.
He however heaped praise at Rabada and Jansen.
“Just the composure that the two of them showed out there, it was unbelievable.
Marco was unbelievable with the intensity he played with.
KG, yeah, there were little visions of Brian Charles (Lara) there at times.
I don’t think we can put into words what that was.
You can’t script that.
Yeah, you can’t,” explained Conrad.
