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South Africa v Pakistan first Test: Prediction, Tips and Odds

South Africa were swept aside 3-0 in their home one-day international series with Pakistan this month and the Proteas will be hoping for better when the nations reconvene in the Test format.

The first of two Test matches between South Africa and Pakistan takes place in Centurion on Boxing Day and a win in either match will ensure the home side secure a place in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year.

It would be quite the feat and that alone suggests South Africa are a different beast when it comes to the longer format.

That is reflected by the prices with the Proteas 8/11 to win this Test, while Pakistan are 12/5 and the draw is 9/2.

The second Test between the teams will begin on January 3rd 2025.

South Africa v Pakistan

South Africa v Pakistan first Test betting tips and predictions

South Africa to win - 8/11

South Africa's position at the top of the World Test Championship standings is no fluke and they represent value at 8/11 to win Thursday's Test encounter with Pakistan.

The Proteas have posted six wins in 10 matches in the league table, putting them above second-placed Australia and third-placed India when it comes to percentage of points won out of points contested.

Within the last month they were ruthless in a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka in the format, winning the first Test by a monstrous 233 runs before a victory by 109 runs in the second.

The injuries have been piling up in the bowling department for South Africa but they should have enough about them to squeeze past Pakistan in front of the Centurion crowd.

Marco Jansen top 1st Innings Bowler - 11/2

The likely absences of several South Africa bowlers, including fitness doubt Keshav Maharaj, could open the door for a handful of other players to impress with the ball in this Test.

Kagiso Rabada could do some damage for the hosts but at 11/2, Marco Jansen is the best bet to be the match's top 1st Innings Bowler.

Jansen is a terrific bowler on South African soil and has taken 14 wickets in his last two Test matches for his country.

The bulk of them came in the first Test against Sri Lanka recently when Janse finished with figures of 11-86 - the second best in the venue's history - and he is a player high on confidence right now.

Tristan Stubbs to score over 62.5 match runs - 5/6

Tristan Stubbs has enjoyed progression from T20 cricket to the longer formats and he is worth a bet to score at least 63 runs in this Test match.

Stubbs recorded his maiden centuries in both ODI and Test formats as recently as October and he piled on 122 runs in one innings against Sri Lanka in last month's win in Durban.

He is starting to find his feet in the South Africa Test team and could be a decent source of runs lower down the order.

Read more cricket betting tips and predictions on site.

South Africa v Pakistan first Test odds

South Africa - 8/11
Draw -
9/2
Pakistan -
12/5

View the full market and more odds for South Africa v Pakistan on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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