[Watch] South Africa's winning moment as they reach the WTC 2025 final defeating Pakistan in the Centurion Test match

South Africa made history by reaching their maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, defeating Pakistan by two wickets on Day 4 of the thrilling Boxing Day Test match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday, December 29. With this victory, they will be heading to the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London for the prestigious summit clash, which is all set to be played from June 11 to 15, 2025, with a reserve day (June 16) available if required.

Although the Proteas were reeling at 99-8 at one stage while chasing 148 runs for the win, the 51-run unbeaten ninth-wicket partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen took them home. With two runs needed and two wickets remaining, Marco Jansen smashed a boundary off pacer Mohammad Abbas on the third ball of the 40th over to seal the win in style.

While Rabada amassed 31* runs off 26 deliveries which included five fours, Jansen registered 16* runs off 24 balls comprising three boundaries. It was South Africa's seventh win in this World Test Championship cycle out of the 11 matches they have played so far. They suffered three losses, with one game ending in a draw and currently possess 88 points and a points percentage (PCT) of 66.67.

Here's the winning moment:

South Africa will take on Pakistan in the New Year's Test match at the Newlands

Earlier, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the series opener in Centurion. Put into bat, the visitors posted 211 runs in the first innings.

In reply, the hosts scored 301 runs before getting bowled out in 73.4 overs. Trailing by 90 runs, Shan Masood's men put up 237 runs on the board in their second innings, thereby setting a target of 148 runs.

Despite the defeat, Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas stole the limelight with his splendid display of bowling in the second innings. The 34-year-old playing his first Test match since August 2021, finished with the figures of 6/54 which is now the best for a Pakistan bowler in South Africa.

Aiden Markram was adjudged the Player of the Match for scoring 89 runs and 37 runs in the first and second innings of this contest, respectively. The two sides will travel to Cape Town for the second and final Test match of the series, which will be played from Friday, January 3, 2025.