South Africa became the first team to confirm their ticket to London when they pulled off a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Centurion, making it a virtual shoot-out between defending champions Australia and two-time runners-up India for the other slot.

South Africa will have an opportunity to finally win a major cricket title at the World Test Championship, which has provided a tonic for the sport's five-day game.

In one of the most thrilling finishes even by the standards of Test cricket today, South Africa went a long way to throw off their reputation as chokers by defeating Pakistan by two wickets at Centurion,