Bosch brilliance puts South Africa closer to WTC final 

South Africa v Pakistan, 1st Test scorecard

Rearguard action helped South Africa secure a crucial lead in the first innings after Pakistan pacers had nearly equalised the contest. Thereafter, strikes from their bowlers ensured that advantage remained with South Africa going into day three in Centurion.

The hosts are a win away from sealing their first-ever World Test Championship final.

South African pair of Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma began the day positively, cutting down the 129-run deficit by 54 runs in a brisk start. Bavuma ended up nicking one-off Aamir Jamal in the 37th over, giving Pakistan their first strike.

However, newcomer David Bedingham picked pace in no time and smashed a quickfire 30. South Africa looked like they might set in for a comfortable lead, but Naseem Shah came good for the tourists.

The right-arm pacer ran through the middle-order, bringing the score from 178/4 to 191/7, and as Khurram Shahzad got the big wicket of Markram (89) at 213, South Africa were left with just two wickets as they had just gone past Pakistan’s total.

But debutant Corbin Bosch had other plans. He settled in and displayed exquisite strokeplay during his unbeaten 81, hitting 15 boundaries during his stay and partnered with other lower-order batters to further South Africa's advantage. His 41-run ninth-wicket stand with Kagiso Rabada, and 47-run 10th-wicket stand with Dane Paterson gave the Proteas a crucial 90-run lead.

Markram praised Bosch for his contribution on debut, after the 30-year-old also picked up four wickets with the ball during Pakistan's first innings.

"It looks pretty easy for him at the moment, the whole Test cricket thing," Markram joked.

"It is great to watch (his innings was) a massive momentum shift for us and it was hugely valuable that was probably worth more than 100.

"I am so chuffed for him as he has come a long way.

"He's always been a really talented guy and in the last few years he's really put his head down, grafted and put in performances to get the chance.

"So I am really happy for him that he has grabbed his opportunity as he has and there's still a lot left in his tank that that he has to offer the Proteas and I'm glad some of the world can see what he's about."

The unrelenting Marco Jansen at CWC23

Trailing in the third innings, openers gave Pakistan a positive start, adding a quick 49 with Saim Ayub taking the lead in run-scoring. However, as the southpaw was cleaned up by Kagiso Rabada for 28, Pakistan suffered a mini-collapse, losing three wickets for 25 runs. Marco Jansen brought in the other two breakthroughs for South Africa.

Pakistan were still in the deficit by two runs when bad light stopped play.