South Africa vs Pakistan 1st Test Predictions - Bavuma can inspire South Africa to victory

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 24 Dec 2024

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Simon Lewis 24 Dec 2024

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South Africa has won their last 6 Test matches.
Temba Bavuma continues his impressive form with 50+ scores.
Pakistan struggles in overseas Tests but beat South Africa in their last two encounters.

Temba Bavuma has scored 50+ in his last 4 Test innings (Getty Images)

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South Africa vs Pakistan Preview

South Africa's Test form has been sublime of late and they are now chasing a spot in the World Test Championship final. Victory here will secure that spot.

South Africa vs Pakistan Preview
Head to Head
South Africa Form
South Africa Injuries & Team News
Pakistan Form
Pakistan Injuries & Team News

South Africa have won their last 6 Test matches.
South Africa’s Temba Bavuma has scored 50+ runs in his last 4 Test innings.
Pakistan have struggled in Tests away from home.
Pakistan won their last 2 Test matches against South Africa.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam scored 50+ runs in the last 2 ODIs against South Africa.

Head to Head

In the last five Test matches between these two sides, South Africa have won three and Pakistan two. However, Pakistan won the two most recent games, both of which were played at home in 2021.

South Africa Form

South Africa will be confident coming into the Test series but after losing the ODI series 3-0, there may be some doubts. That said, the Proteas are on the brink of qualifying for the World Test Championship final and victory here will secure that spot.

South Africa recently beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in a home Test series, so they do have some momentum in the longest format. In the final Test of that series, Temba Bavuma’s side won by 109 runs.

Centuries in the first innings by Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne set up a score of 358 where most other batsmen failed. Sri Lanka responded with 328 before the hosts went on to score 317, setting the visitors a total of 348 to win.

In that second innings, Aiden Markram found some form with 55 runs while Temba Bavuma top scored with 66.

South Africa dismissed Sri Lanka for 238 runs on the final day.

South Africa Injuries & Team News

I don’t foresee too many changes to the South African side from the final Test against Sri Lanka. Young players Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch will likely have to wait their turn.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan’s Test form has not been great over the last 24 months, but they did manage to beat England 2-1 in their last series at home. After losing the first Test, Pakistan won the second and third to claim a series victory.

After bowling England out for 267 in the third Test, Pakistan went on to score 344 with Saud Shakeel top scoring with a magnificent 124 runs. The bowlers dismantled England for 112 before chasing 36 to win the game by nine wickets.

Coming to South Africa, the batsmen are likely going to have to work much harder for their runs. Pretoria often has plenty of pace in the pitch which could challenge the Pakistan batsmen.

Pakistan Injuries & Team News

Babar Azam returns to the Test fold in a massive boost for Pakistan. His form hasn’t been great but he has performed in South Africa before, so could hold the key.

Verdict

South Africa v Pakistan 1st Test

South Africa are backed for victory with Temba Bavuma set to score 50+ in the first innings.

For Pakistan, the return of Babar Azam should be a massive boost.

South Africa Win

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