South Africa (SA), it could be said, had full confidence heading into the summer. They were coming off a 2-0 Test series away win in Bangladesh. Their summer included a 2-match Test series against Sri Lanka and an all format tour of Pakistan.
Questions were raised regarding his fitness as he had just been cleared to play after spending 2 months on the sidelines due to an elbow injury. He assured everyone that he was fine and that he was ready to play and lead the country to success.
First up was the series against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka were also high on confidence as they were coming off a 2-0 Test match series win over New Zealand. Both were still in contention with reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The 1st Test took place in Durban and the visitors elected to field first. SA were bowled out for a low 191. Temba Bavuma was the saving grace as he top scored with 70. Sri Lanka, in reply, were shell shocked to be bowled out for 42. Marco Jansen had figures of 7-13.
With an initial lead of 149, SA amassed 366-5 declared. Temba Bavuma scored 113 and Tristan Stubbs scored 122. This set Sri Lanka a target of 516 to win. They put in a much better performance with the bat as they were bowled out for 282. Dinesh Chandimal (83) and Dhananja de Silva (59) were the standout batters. Marco Jansen had figures of 4-73. SA won by 233 runs.
The 2nd Test took place in Gqeberha. SA won the toss and elected to bat. Temba Bavuma scored 78 while Ryan Rickelton scored 101 and Kyle Verreynne scored 105* as South Africa posted 358. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 328. Pathum Nissanka top scored with 89. Dane Paterson took his maiden (1st) five-for with figures of 5-71.
With a slender 30-run lead, South Africa managed to add another 317. Temba Bavuma top scored with 66. This set Sri Lanka a target of 348. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 238. Dhananja de Silva top scored with 50. Keshav Maharaj took 5-76. SA won by 109 runs and the series were 2-0.
Next, Pakistan came to SA for an all format tour (3 T20's; 3 ODI's and 2 Tests). SA won the first T20 match. They batted first and posted 183-9. David Miller scored 82. Pakistan could only manage to score 172-8. George Linde took 4-21.
The 2nd T20 took place in Centurion. Pakistan batted first and posted a massive 206-5. Saim Ayub scored 98*. In return, SA managed to chase down the total for the loss of 3 wickets and with 3 balls remaining. Reeza Hendricks top scored with 117. The 3rd T20 was washed out. South Africa won the series 2-0.
The first ODI took place in Paarl. Sa batted first and posted 239-9. Heinrich Klaasen top scored with 86. Pakistan managed to reach the target (242-7) with 3 balls remaining. Saim Ayub top scored with 109.
The second ODI took place in Cape Town. Pakistan batted first and were bowled out for 329. Mohammad Rizwan (80); Babar Azam (73) and Kamran Ghulam (63) all contributed with the bat. SA could only manage 248. Heinrich Klaasen top scored with 97.
The final ODI (Pink Day) took place in Johannesburg. Pakistan batted first and posted 308-9. Saim Ayub top scored with 101. There were also contributions by Babar Azam (52) and Mohammad Rizwan (53). SA once again failed to reach the target (271 all out). Heinrich Klaasen top scored with 81. Pakistan whitewashed the Proteas 3-0.
Next came the Test Series. The 1st Test took place in Centurion. Pakistan batted first and scored 211. Kamran Ghulam top scored with 54. Dane Paterson took his second five-for (5-61). SA replied with 301. Aiden Markram top scored with 89. Temba Bavuma scored 31.
Trailing by 90 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for 237. Saud Shakeel top scored with 84. Marco Jansen took 6-52. This left SA needing 148 to win. A relatively easy target soon turned into a tricky one as South Africa found themselves 99-8. It took a 51-run partnership between Marco Jansen (16*) and Kagiso Rabada (31*) to secure not only a win but also a ticket to Lord's for the WTC final. SA won by 2 wickets.
The final Test of the summer took place in Cape Tonn. SA batted first and were bowled out for a mammoth 615. Ryan Rickelton scored 259 (in doing so, he became the first South African to score a double ton in eight years). Temba Bavuma scored 106; Kyle Verynne scored 100 and Marco Jansen scored 62. During the innings, Saim Ayub was ruled out with a fractured ankle. Pakistan didn't respond well as they were bowled out for 194. 'KG' Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with 3-55.
The follow-on was enforced (Pakistan still trailed by 421 runs) and Pakistan put in a much better performance. They were bowled out for 478. Shan Masood led the way with 145. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj each took 3 wickets. This left SA with a target of 58. They reached the target with ease and reached it with 7.1 overs bowled. This was courtesty of David Bedingham scoring a rapid 47*.