South Africa sealed a 10-wicket win over Pakistan in Cape Town today (January 6), wrapping up a 2-0 series victory and cementing their place at the top of the World Test Championship standings.
A double-century from Ryan Rickelton alongside hundreds from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne laid the foundations of a huge win for the Proteas. Batting first, South Africa amassed 615 before they were bowled out in the final session of day two, setting Pakistan a huge challenge to avoid the follow-on.
That challenge was compounded by an injury Saim Ayub had sustained in the first session of the game, which ruled him out of playing any further part in the match. A batter down, Babar Azam was promoted to open and was the only batter who passed 50 in Pakistan's first innings. A strong bowling performance led by Kagiso Rabada ensure Pakistan were bowled out for 194, still trailing by 421 runs. That allowed South Africa to enforce the follow-on, although Shan Masood led a Pakistan rally in their second innings.
Masood fell just short of his personal-best Test score when he was finally dismissed by Kwena Maphaka for 145. He put together a record opening partnership while following on alongside Babar, with Pakistan reaching 205-0 before Babar was dismissed. There were also middle-order contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha which ensure Pakistan avoided an innings defeat. South Africa chased down the 58-run target in just 7.1 overs after promoting David Beddingham to open alongside Aiden Markram.
The emphatic win means South Africa are now guaranteed to finish at the top of the World Test Championship table. They secured qualification for the final at Lord's in June with their win over Pakistan in the first Test, but have now put themselves out of second-placed Australia's grasp. Australia qualified for the final with their win over India in Sydney, but still have two Tests against Sri Lanka to play.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are now in danger of finishing at the bottom of the table. They currently sit in eighth with a PCT of 27.78, one place ahead of West Indies who are in last (24.24). Those two sides will play each other in two Tests later this month, with Pakistan needing to win at least one of those to avoid slipping down into last place.
Updated World Test Championship points table after South Africa's win over Pakistan
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Penalties | Points | PCT |
| Q 1 | South Africa | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 69.44 |
| Q 2 | Australia | 17 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 130 | 63.73 |
| 3 | India | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 114 | 50.00 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 27.78 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
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