South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma on Day 1 of the second Test vs Pakistan.© AFP

Following his side’s qualification to the ICC World Test Championship final for the first time, South African skipper Temba Bavuma called it an “emotional moment” for him and hilariously remarked that he was “in the toilet” during the match-winning partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen towards the end. South Africa continued their brilliant run in ICC tournaments as after the final of ICC T20 World Cup this year, they have booked for themselves a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next year.

Speaking after the match in the post-match presentation, Bavuma said, “Quite an emotional moment for me. Lot of joy and happiness on our side. We did the hard way. But glad we won. I was still sulking in the toilet. Aiden (Markram) get them going. Was not a lot of conversations. We still had the confidence. I did not come out to the viewing area and was in the toilet. I came when 15 runs were needed. It is a big win. Not just for myself. But for the coaches.”

“The way we started our campaign against India. We were not given much of a chance. We were not ruthless. But we kept finding ways. We hope the guys can get confidence from performances like these. Guys get picked on when they do badly. We would like to enjoy the moment and take stock of what we have done,” he added.

Coming to the match, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl. Half-century from Kamran Ghulam (54 in 71 balls, with eight fours and a six) took Pakistan to 211/10. Dane Paterson (5/61) and Corbin Bosch (4/63) were the top bowlers for Proteas.

Proteas gained a 90-run first-innings lead as a half-century from Aiden Markram at the top (89 in 144 balls, with 15 fours) and a terrific unbeaten 81* in 93 balls, with 15 fours by Corbin Bosch took them to 301.

Khurram Shahzad (3/75) and Naseem Shah (3/92) were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan.

Later in Pakistan’s second innings, a drought-breaking fifty from Babar (50 in 85 balls, with nine fours) and Saud Shakeel (84 in 113 balls, with 11 fours and a six) took Pakistan to 237/10. They secured a 147-run lead.

Marco Jansen (6/52) was the top bowler for Proteas.

In chase of 148 runs, Proteas were restricted to 99/8 despite knocks from Markram (37 in 63 balls, with six fours) and skipper Bavuma (40 in 78 balls, with four boundaries and six) by Mohammed Abbas (6/54).

However, a 51-run stand between Kagiso Rabada (31* in 26 balls, with five fours) and Jansen (16* in 24 balls, with three fours) pushed Proteas to a landmark win.

Markram secured the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

South African captain Temba Bavuma said his team’s 109-run win in the second Test against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park on Monday was a big step forward for a largely inexperienced group of players. “For a lot of the guys it was a proper taste of what Test cricket is about,” said Bavuma of a hard-fought match which went into the fifth day. “It’s rare when you get to play for five days and it’s also rare when the game is always in the balance. There were times when we were on top and times when Sri Lanka were getting the momentum on their side.”

The win put South Africa on top of the World Test Championship table, which is based on average points gained.

South Africa can make certain of qualifying for the final at Lord’s in England next June if they beat Pakistan in a two-match series which starts on December 26.

“The championship table looks good,” said Bavuma during the post-match presentation. “We see ourselves at number one with two games to go. I don’t know what the maths looks like but we’re playing good cricket and we want it to continue.”

Bavuma was named player of the series after scoring 327 runs in four innings, with a century and three fifties, but said other individuals in the team were making major contributions.

Three South Africans made centuries and three bowlers had five-wicket hauls, including left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who took five for 76 to seal Monday’s win.

“It’s always a good sign when guys are putting in match-winning performances. It speaks to the hunger and desire amongst the team.”

Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva said his team had improved on their performance in Durban, where they were beaten by 233 runs after being blown away for 42 in the first innings.

“The guys fought hard but it was not good enough,” said De Silva. “The bowling attack that South Africa had kept asking questions.”

De Silva said Sri Lanka were improving in away Test matches. “We’re getting better but we need to be 100 percent better in every department,” he said.

Sri Lanka lost their remaining five wickets for 33 runs on Monday.

Their hopes of an upset win were extinguished when overnight batsmen De Silva and Kusal Mendis were dismissed inside the first 10 overs of the day.

De Silva and Mendis, the team’s last recognised batsmen, resumed on 205 for five, still needing 143 runs to win.

Maharaj made the first breakthrough when Mendis edged a low catch to Aiden Markram at slip. He made 46 in a 97-run sixth wicket partnership with De Silva.

Kagiso Rabada then had De Silva caught behind for 50, exposing the Sri Lankan tail.

The last three wickets fell quickly with Maharaj claiming two more scalps and Marco Jansen finishing the match with his first ball of the day when Lahiru Kumara was caught off a wild slog.