It's now six years and six matches since Pakistan last registered a Test victory over South Africa. Maybe Mohammad Hafeez's 4-wicket burst has dented the newly-inflated egos of Graeme Smith's men but that could merely spur on the world-class pace trio of Steyn, Philander and Morkel to rip through the visitors' batting. Pakistan can take comfort in the fact that they have avoided defeat in the last three fixtures between the countries, yet then again the Saffers were on top on each occasion and it was left to the likes of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq to bat for survival.
The first ever Test between the two teams was in 1995, in Jo'burg. South Africa were clear winners on that occasion, with Fanie de Villiers in fine all-round form. In October 2007, Pakistan played host to three Tests, drawing two and losing the third by only 53 runs despite a healthy first-innings lead. This time it was a Shaun Pollock 'five-for' which proved decisive. Four months later, it was back to SA where honours were even. The opening draw was notable for Pat Symcox scoring a century batting at ten. At Durban, centuries from Azhar Mahmood and Saeed Anwar, plus excellent bowling from Shoaib Akhtar and Mushtaq Ahmed secured a narrow win. However, at Port Elizabeth the wheels well and truly came off as Allan Donald and De Villiers each claimed eight cheap wickets en route to a 259-run rout.
2002-3 saw a thumping 2-0 home triumph for South Africa. In the second game, Smith and Herschelle Gibbs shared a 369-run opening stand at more than five an over and thereafter Waqar Younis' men were never in the contest. Later that year, Pakistan enjoyed their first home success against SA, beating a strong side led by a 22 year-old Smith in Lahore. This was followed by a close-run draw which could have gone either way. In January 2007, Akhtar and Danish Kaneria skittled the home side at Port Elizabeth for 124 and Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal steered Inzy's side to a five-wicket victory. However, this was top-and-tailed by South African successes, and Jacques Kallis was the PLayer of the Series. Pakistan's Second Test delight has had to keep them going ever since.
No Pakistani batsman has scored more against SA than Younis Khan (750 in 10 Tests) but of the bowlers in today's game, Umar Gul's 12 wickets (at more than 50 apiece!) is way below the tallies of Kaneria, Mushtaq and Younis. Curiously, neither Kallis, Steyn nor Morkel have enjoyed playing Pakistan. However, Kallis has revelled against them with the bat, striking six centuries in 16 appearances, amassing 1,522 runs at 66. He top-scored again today with 50 but you wouldn't bet against Smith, Amla and another De Villiers (AB) reversing fortunes as the Wanderers opener progresses. They are now world number ones, full of confidence and playing at home against an experienced but creaking team. Losing isn't an option for them, but how Misbah-ul-Huq, in his 39th year, would love to make it win number four.
