South Africa vs Pakistan prediction and betting tips - January 7, 2024

One of the first Test series of 2025 features South Africa taking on Pakistan. On Tuesday, January 7, these teams will face each other in a highly anticipated clash.

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South Africa vs Pakistan: Match facts and head-to-head

• South Africa have won only one of their last five matches.
• Pakistan, on the other hand, have lost just one of their last five games.
• In the ICC Test rankings, South Africa sits third, while Pakistan ranks seventh.
• The previous encounter between these two teams ended in a commanding victory for South Africa by an innings. Before that, Pakistan won three consecutive matches, with one ending as a no-result.

South Africa vs Pakistan: Match preview

South Africa has been consistently strong in Test cricket, currently ranked third in the ICC Test rankings. Pakistan, ranked seventh, finds itself in the bottom half of the table and is battling to break into the top six. Historically, South Africa has played 471 Test matches, securing 184 wins, losing 161, and drawing 126. Pakistan also boasts a positive record in Tests, with 150 wins against 146 losses and 166 draws.

In the lead-up to the new year, these teams faced off in seven matches across various formats. Both teams won three games each, with one match ending as a no-result. However, Pakistan's wins came in ODI matches, while South Africa demonstrated superiority in T20I and Test formats. This Test series, spanning January 3–7, has already tilted in South Africa's favor based on current form and momentum.

Prediction

South Africa is likely to maintain its strong performance in Test cricket and will not let Pakistan gain an edge. Pakistan's relative struggles in the Test format are evident, and this could continue in this series. My prediction is a victory for South Africa.