Marco Jansen returned figures of 6-52 to help the Proteas bowl Pakistan out for 237 but the visitors hit back with three late wickets on a rain-shortened third day of the first Test in Centurion.
Corbin Bosch continued his dream debut and Aiden Markram top-scored as the Proteas continue to hold the edge over Pakistan after the second day of the first Test in Centurion.
The first day of the Test match between South Africa and Pakistan saw a total of 13 wickets tumble, highlighting the dominance of pace bowling on a lively pitch at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter is by no means concerned with their bilateral series failures as he keeps his eyes fixed on the big fish coming up in 2025.
Pakistan defended a score of 308/9 to beat the Proteas by 36 runs in the final ODI of the season at the Wanderers on Sunday.
In a display of sheer dominance, Pakistan clinched a decisive 81-run victory over South Africa in the second ODI at Newlands, Cape Town, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.