South Africa moves ahead of Pakistan in WTC after beating West Indies in second Test

South Africa secured a 40-run victory over the West Indies on the thrilling third day of the second and final Test, solidifying their dominance over the Caribbean team. Set a challenging target of 263, following Jayden Seales' career-best figures of six for 61 that bundled out South Africa for 246 in their second innings, the West Indies faltered, losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually being bowled out for 222.

In a dramatic end to the match, Seales, who had been instrumental with the ball, became the final wicket to fall just minutes before the scheduled close of play. He was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj, the standout performer of the series, who took his 13th wicket of the two-match contest through a short-leg catch by David Bedingham.

This victory extended South Africa's unbeaten Test series streak against the West Indies, dating back to their first series encounter in 1998/99, where Shaun Pollock's team dominated Brian Lara's side with a 5-0 whitewash. Although the West Indies had won their first-ever Test against South Africa in 1992 in Barbados, this latest defeat highlighted the ongoing struggles of the Caribbean side against the Proteas.

Maharaj’s left-arm spin proved decisive once again, as he took three wickets for 37 runs, while Kagiso Rabada also contributed significantly with three wickets for 50 runs, leaving him just one wicket shy of the 300-wicket milestone in Test cricket. The only moment of concern for South Africa came during a resilient 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Gudakesh Motie, who top-scored with a career-best 45, and wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva (27). However, Maharaj's reintroduction into the attack led to the vital dismissals of Motie and da Silva in successive overs, halting the West Indies' fightback.

Rabada then moved closer to his 300th wicket with a stunning catch by Temba Bavuma at mid-on, before Maharaj completed the job, despite some late resistance from Jomel Warrican (25 not out). Wiaan Mulder, named Man of the Match, shone with both bat and ball, taking six wickets in the match and contributing a valuable 34 runs in South Africa's second innings. Mulder’s day began with his dismissal to Jomel Warrican, but it was Seales who stole the spotlight in the morning, dismantling South Africa’s lower order to secure his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite lamented his side's batting failures, particularly in the first innings, as the key factor in their defeat. "We did well to dismiss them for 160 but then didn't put up enough runs in reply. That was crucial," he said. "Our mindset today was to have intent at the crease, and even though myself and the other top-order batters didn't deliver, it was good to see the fight from Motie and others lower down the order."

The first Test in Trinidad had ended in a rain-affected draw, but this win allowed South Africa to leapfrog Pakistan in the World Test Championship points table. South Africa now sits at number five, with a PCT of 38.89, after winning two of their six matches and losing three. Pakistan, having also won two out of five matches, is currently in sixth place with a PCT of 36.66.