South Africa will have an opportunity to finally win a major cricket title at the World Test Championship, which has provided a tonic for the sport's five-day game.

Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen turned batting heroes on Sunday as South Africa edged Pakistan by two wickets to win a thrilling first test at Centurion and book themselves a place in next year's World Test Championship final.

Rain delayed the start of the third day’s play in the first cricket test between South Africa and Pakistan with no play possible before lunch.