This Boxing Day promises intense cricket action, with South Africa and Pakistan battling at SuperSport Park in a high-stakes Test match. South Africa’s victory would secure their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, while a win for Pakistan would keep their slim hopes alive, hinging on an unlikely over-rate penalty against South Africa. More importantly, a Pakistani victory would keep their cricket fans on edge for another week.
South Africa enters with a safety net, needing just one win from two remaining Tests to confirm their WTC final berth. Despite rain threatening the Highveld and their opponents’ poor track record in South Africa—Pakistan hasn't won a Test here in nearly 18 years or a match outside Asia since 2021—the pressure is undeniable. Meanwhile, Pakistan, despite administrative turmoil and coaching changes, has proven resilient and could capitalise on South Africa’s vulnerabilities.
Momentum on Pakistan's Side
The lead-up to this clash saw both squads involved in an ODI series, where Pakistan claimed a 3-0 victory. Ten South African and seven Pakistani players from the Test squads participated, making momentum an advantage for Pakistan.
South Africa’s batting lineup struggled, with three top-order batters—Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs—succumbing to offspinner Salman Agha in the first ODI. Although SuperSport Park’s conditions might not favour spin, the psychological impact could linger. Temba Bavuma acknowledged the challenge, adding that overcoming such setbacks is crucial for their WTC ambitions.
Spotlight Players: Aiden Markram and Mohammad Abbas
Aiden Markram has endured a challenging year across formats but has shown signs of a resurgence in Tests. With Bavuma expressing confidence in his leadership and tactical influence, Markram remains pivotal to South Africa’s strategy.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas returns to Test cricket after a three-year absence. The 34-year-old seamer, known for his accuracy and consistency, has excelled in domestic and county cricket, earning a recall. Just 10 wickets away from reaching 100 in Tests, Abbas is eager to leave his mark.
Team Updates
South Africa, missing Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder due to fitness concerns, will debut Corbin Bosch, a fast bowler capable of exceeding 140kph, at his home ground. The Proteas will field a pace-heavy attack with no specialist spinner.
Pakistan, too, may opt for an all-seam lineup, with Abbas likely partnering young pacer Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, and Khurram Shahzad.
Conditions and Pitch
Rain has complicated pitch preparation at SuperSport Park, known for its green, seamer-friendly surfaces. While the first day is expected to favor bowlers, days two and three might offer better conditions for batters—provided they navigate the challenges of overhead clouds and potential thunderstorms.
Probable Squads
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch.
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas.
What’s at Stake
With the WTC final on the horizon and a Boxing Day Test atmosphere, this contest is brimming with significance. For South Africa, stability and focus are paramount. For Pakistan, unpredictability and resilience define their approach. No matter the outcome, fans can expect a thrilling encounter.