10 January 2025

After confirming their place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025, South Africa are all set to host Pakistan once again. The Shan Masood-led side put up a spirited battle against the Proteas in the first Test, who went over the ropes thanks to the match-winning partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marko Janssen.

The second test awaits you in Cape Town, the city that has hosted the highest number of tests (60) in South Africa. Pakistan will be wary of the fact that they have never beaten South Africa here in four attempts. In fact, this is the same stadium where the famous low-scoring encounter between South Africa and India took place in January 2024.

Ahead of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, here are some important numbers you need to know from the previous Tests played at the stadium.


Newlands, Cape Town, Test record and statistics

The Proteas have a 27-22 record at the venue. As many as 11 Tests have been played here, with the first match dating back to 1889.

Here is a list of some important numbers you should know from previous Test matches hosted by this ground:

Matches played: 60

Games won by teams batting first: 23

Matches won by second-place teams: 26

Matches are linked: 0

Drawn matches: 11

Highest team total: 651 – South Africa vs. Australia, 2009

Lowest overall team: 35/10 – South Africa vs. England, 1889

Highest successful hunt: 334/6 Australia vs. South Africa 2002

Highest individual score: 262- Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) vs. South Africa 2006

Best Bowling Personalities (Innings): 11/8 – John Briggs (England) vs. South Africa, 1889

Best Bowling Personalities (Match): 28/15 – John Briggs (England) vs. South Africa, 1889

Average first half points: 322


Newlands, Cape Town Stadium Report

Heaven for followers! This is what we got in the last match when India beat South Africa by just 55 runs in the first innings. The wicket here was pretty poor to be honest, as the batsmen had no chance to build the innings.

The pitch curator could prepare something to correct, but the runners would still have to pose a huge “test” for the top-order hitters. The exact pitch report will be broadcast live before the live event of the second and final Test of the series.


Newlands, Cape Town, last test

South Africa vs India - Second Test - Source: GettySouth Africa vs India - Second Test - Source: Getty
South Africa vs India – Second Test – Source: Getty

The last time Newlands hosted a Test match, the ICC rated the pitch as “unsatisfactory”. The encounter was over in two days of cricket, with a total of 464 runs scored across four innings, i.e. 116 runs in each innings.

Mohamed Siraj 6/15 shook SA, which scored 55/10. In response, India were in the driving seat before losing six wickets for zero runs! From 153/4 they collapsed to 153/10.

In response, Aiden Markram scored a scintillating goal to put something on the board for South Africa. India easily chased down a total of 79 runs, with Rohit Sharma remaining unbeaten.