South Africa Secures Thrilling 40-Run Victory Over West Indies as Rabada and Maharaj Shines
South Africa defeated the West Indies by 40 runs with a fierce and well-fought contest, in the second Test, which was played at Guyana, to win their tenth straight Test series against West Indies.
In addition to establishing their supremacy over the West Indies, this victory was a critical second in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25.
Key Performances and Match Results
South Africa 160 (PIedt 38*, Bedingham 28, Joseph 5-33, Seales 3-45) and 246 (Verreynne 59, Markram 51, Seales 6-61) beat West Indies 144 (Holder 54*, Mulder 4-32, Burger 3-49) and 222 (Motie 45, Maharaj 3-37, Rabada 3-50) by 40 runs.
With a spirited 40-run victory in Guyana, South Africa won the World Test Championship 2023–25 and the tenth consecutive Test series against the West Indies. With 171 wickets, including five in this match and 13 in the series, Keshav Maharaj became the most successful spinner in their Test history throughout this procedure. Jayden Seales, who claimed 12 wickets in the two games and a career-high 6 for 61 in South Africa’s second innings in Guyana, was overshadowed by his success.
West Indies were given a manageable but challenging target of 263 by Seales, and their chase had all the makings of a classic. They collapsed to 104 for 6, but a stand of 77 runs between hometown hero Gudakesh Motie and Joshua Da Silva took them close to a historic victory. The hosts were denied by Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, the two most consistent bowlers on the tour, despite a valiant effort from the tail.
No West Indian batsman scored a half-century in the second inning, and they only had one partnership above fifty in a series that was difficult for batters overall with no hundreds in the two games. On the other hand, three half-century stands occurred during the match, and two South African batsmen scored fifty in the second innings. The 63-run tenth-wicket stand between Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger in the first innings was significant in the context of the match.
All things considered, it was a series for the bowlers, who benefited from a Trinidad surface that was difficult for runs to be scored and a Guyana venue with swing, seam movement, and good bounce. With five wickets in the first innings, Shamar Joseph enjoyed his first home Test, but South Africa’s attack came together to give them the advantage when it mattered most.
Working as the third seamer and only seam-bowling all-rounder, Wiaan Mulder claimed six wickets in the Test, amassed a significant 34 in the second innings, and partnered with Kyle Verreynne for an 85-run partnership at the sixth wicket to pave the way for South Africa’s victory. Some of the concerns regarding the makeup of South Africa’s team were lessened by his contributions. They were a bowler short in Trinidad and a batter short in Guyana but found a method to defend a total on a wicket that was only three days old and improved for batting.
Set 263, West Indies lost to Mulder at third slip in the fifth over when Mikyle Louis pushed forward and edged Rabada. Three overs later, Kraig Braithwaite, on 17, was declared leg before wicket (LBW), but the West Indian captain saw the replay and it was confirmed that the impact was outside off. West Indies went to lunch at 43 for 1.
Before Mulder beat Braithwaite’s inside edge and hit him on the knee roll, he had only gained eight runs. He was distributed once again and unsuccessfully reviewed once more. In his subsequent over, Mulder had the opportunity to dismiss Keacy Carty, who was on 17, after he cut a wide ball to point, but Mulder erred.
Their annoyance escalated when, three balls later, South Africa examined a Burger appeal for LBW to Alick Athanaze, which was likewise outside the line. When Carty cut Mulder off without adding to his score and South Africa got back into the game, it cooled. Kavem Hodge tackled the short ball, meeting fire with fire. He hit two boundaries off of three deliveries from Rabada after he pulled Mulder through mid-wicket and square leg. However, he played one shot too many when he inside-edged Rabada onto the stumps.
At that point in the game, offspinner Piedt had been included in the attack for the first time, and his full, flighted deliveries had tempted Athanaze. After failing to convert the strike, Athanaze attempted a reckless sweep and ended up top-ending the keeper. Running back from slip, Aiden Markram made a nice, high catch.
Though Athanaze’s error may have been the result of inexperience, South Africa’s strangulation was clearly effective when Jason Holder, the finest batsman from the West Indies’ opening innings, holed out to long-on in Piedt’s subsequent over.
Let’s bring in Motie, who did his share at bat but had a lackluster series with the ball. Target down to less than 100 thanks to Motie and Da Silva. While Motie was quite harsh on Piedt, taking 18 runs off the 14 balls he faced, his attempts to remove Maharaj were less fruitful.
Motie was ruled out LBW after taking a swing at the left-arm spinner with a blow on the front pad. Ball-tracking revealed it was clipping leg stump, but he reviewed. In Maharaj’s subsequent over, Da Silva proceeded similarly and requested the third umpire to examine the situation. However, South Africa’s technological advantages allowed Maharaj to tie Hugh Tayfield for the top spot among spinners in the country.
Shortly after, Rabada was called back on and threatened to produce the goods with only two wickets remaining and the score only two short of 300. After Markram and Mulder both left the ball for one another, Joseph provided a chance that went between second and third slip after Jomel Warrican nudged him wide of second slip.
Rabada was furious, but his irritation was fleeting. After four balls, Temba Bavuma completed the series’ first catch when Joseph drew him to mid-on. Bavuma earned hang time with both feet off the ground and plucked the ball with his outstretched right hand.
Rabada was one wicket short of 300 but could not finish the innings. When Seales nipped Tayfield to David Bedingham at the short leg, Maharaj passed him and South Africa rejoiced. It was even more satisfying for South Africa to dismiss Seales in order to win the game because he had been loud for them the entire time. Seales, who played a key role in the downfall of South Africa, would have taken a hit from it. They lost the first three wickets for eight runs in fifteen balls, and the remaining five wickets for 22 runs in sixty-five balls.
Mulder decided to stay back in his crease and attempt a flick, but he missed an arm ball and was smacked on the back pad by Warrican, who struck in the opening over. Kraig Braithwaite, with the second new ball nine overs away, brought on Seales earlier than he may have liked because to the early breakthrough. Maharaj, who was under pressure, chipped the only ball he faced to Motie at mid-wicket, making it his third consecutive tour duck.
With a delivery that angled toward Kyle Verreynne from wide of the crease, Seales’s next punch was pure technique. It validated Seales’s second Test five-for as well. Piedt and Rabada seized the lead at 250, but Rabada rushed forward to block Warrican and edged to Hodge at slip one over and one delivery before the second new ball was due.
The second new ball was quickly taken by West Indies, and Seales was successful. Halfway through the third day, 50 minutes in, Burger drove the fourth ball back to him, and Seales responded fast to take the catch with both hands to his right. South Africa’s most since 1932 came from Burger’s duck, which came in the third innings and the seventh overall in the game.
With six games remaining, South Africa has moved up to fifth place in the WTC points standings. Only one victory keeps West Indies in ninth place.
