Centurion is the venue for the first of two test matches between South Africa and Pakistan, the game starts on Boxing Day and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting
The Proteas won the T20 series at the start of this tour 2-0 with 1 match washed out but Pakistan then won all 3 ODI's.
We now move on to the test series which comprises of this game and the second test at Newlands.
Let's start with the squads.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
South Africa Recent Form
South Africa won both test matches against Sri Lanka in November / December, coming out on top by margins of 233 runs at Kingsmead and 109 runs at St. Georges.
A tour of Bangladesh last month saw South Africa win both tests, the first by 7 wickets and the second by an innings and 273 runs. In August they drew the first of 2 tests in the West Indies and then won the second by 40 runs.
South Africa took an understrength squad to New Zealand in February this year and they lost both test matches by margins of 281 runs and then 7 wickets. A 2 match home series against India 12 months ago was shared 1-1.
Pakistan Recent Form
Pakistan were 2-1 winners at home to England in October, recovering from losing the first test (innings and 47 runs) with 2 comfortable wins (152 runs and 9 wickets).
Prior to that they lost 2-0 at home to Bangladesh and in Australia over December 23 / January 24 they lost 3-0.
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 28 times with South Africa winning 15 to Pakistan's 6 and there have been 7 draws.
The teams haven't met since Jan / Feb 2021 when Pakistan won both test matches of a home series.
The Venue, Supersport Park, Centurion
The Proteas have played 9 test matches at Centurion over the course of the last decade, winning 8 and losing just the 1.
The most recent test match here came exactly 12 months ago and South Africa (408) beat India (245 and 131) by an innings and 32 runs.
For the weather forecast click here
The Betting
At the time of writing South Africa are 7/10 to win with BetXchange with the draw at 49/10 and Pakistan can be backed at 43/20
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
The Proteas are closing in on securing a place in the World Test Championship and whilst I believe Pakistan can be more dangerous than their recent results in this format suggest, I'd be surprised if South Africa don't win.
I'll look to the 1st innings half century markets and side with Stubbs and Bavuma
Bet: 1st Innings Player To Sore 50, Bavuma at 11/5 with BetXchange
1st Innings Player To Sore 50, Stubbs at 43/20 with BetXchange
