South Africa announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan 

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have named the playing XI for the upcoming first Test against Pakistan, scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The Temba Bavuma-led side are only one win away from making it into the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The Proteas have not named a frontline spinner in the playing XI, as Corbin Borsch is set to make his Test debut as the fourth seamer. The team already has Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson and Marco Jansen in the pace bowling department, while Keshav Maharaj has been dropped.

Ryan Rickelton retains his place in the batting order after his impressive ton in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha recently.

The Proteas are relying on Borsch's batting ability as well, on the back of his impressive average of 40.46 at the first-class level after 34 appearances. The all-rounder recently made his ODI debut during the series finale against Pakistan at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. He scored an unbeaten 40, and finished with figures of 1-69, which included the wicket of centurion Saim Ayub.

The opening pair of Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram were not among the runs for the majority of the Test series against Sri Lanka, and will be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes against a potent Pakistan seam bowling unit comprising of Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, and Khurram Shehzad.

South Africa playing XI for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan

Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Corbin Bosch

South Africa last lost a Test at home to Pakistan in 2007

Much like the majority of subcontinent sides, Pakistan have had a tough time in South Africa while playing red-ball cricket. The Men in Green are full of confidence after a resounding whitewash in the ODI series, but do not have a formidable Test record in the past.

In 12 matches in the Rainbow Nation since 195, Pakistan have only managed two wins and a draw to their name. Their last win came in 2007 when Inzamam-ul-Haq and co. secured a nervy five-wicket win in Port Elizabeth. They have lost seven matches in a row after that, which includes a 3-0 whitewash in the 2018-19 series.