South Africa will aim to clinch the series as they host Pakistan in the second and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town, starting January 3. The Proteas hold a 1-0 lead after a nail-biting two-wicket victory in the first Test at Centurion.
With their win in Centurion, South Africa also secured the final spot in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Temba Bavuma’s team has made three changes for the New Year’s Test, bringing in Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, and Wiann Mulder to replace Corbin Bosch, Dane Paterson, and Tony de Zorzi.
Pakistan, led by Shan Masood, will look to bounce back and avoid a series defeat. While their bowling unit impressed in the first game, the team’s batters must deliver a stronger performance to challenge South Africa and level the series.
Newlands Cricket Ground Pitch Report & stats
The Newlands pitch in Cape Town is known for being conducive to bowlers in red-ball cricket. Unlike the grassier surface at Centurion, the Cape Town pitch features less grass, offering spinners an opportunity to play a bigger role in the second Test. Batters are likely to struggle against the new ball on the opening day but may find scoring easier after the Tea session. The average first-innings score at this venue is 321, with teams batting first managing to secure victory in only 23 out of the 61 Tests held here.
Newlands Cricket Ground Stats in Test
| Total Matches | 61 |
| Matches won batting first | 23 |
| Matches won bowling first | 26 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 321 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 290 |
| Average 3rd innings Score | 233 |
| Average 4th innings Score | 161 |
| Highest total recorded | 651/10 (154.3 Ovs) By RSA vs AUS |
| Lowest total recorded | 35/10 (22.4 Ovs) By RSA vs ENG |
| Highest score chased | 334/6 (79.1 Ovs) By AUS vs RSA |
| Lowest score defended | 135/10 (42.4 Ovs) By IND vs RSA |
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