Newlands, Cape Town, Pitch History and Test Records

South Africa are all set to host Pakistan again after securing their place in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Shan Masood-led side put up a tough fight against the Proteas in the first Test, which went on the ropes thanks to the match-winning partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.

The second Test awaits in Cape Town, which has hosted the most Tests (60) in South Africa. Pakistan will be cautious as they have never beaten South Africa here in four Tests. Indeed, this is where the famous South Africa vs. India low-scoring affair took place in January 2024.

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

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Newlands, Cape Town, Test Record and Statistics

The Pros have a 27-22 record at the position. 11 Tests were played here, the first match was in 1889.

Here’s a list of some important numbers to know from previous Test matches hosted at this ground:

Matches are played.: 60

Matches won by the teams batting first: 23

Teams won second place: 26

Matches are attached.: 0

Matches are drawn: 11

The highest group total: 651 – South Africa vs Australia, 2009

The lowest group total: 35/10 – South Africa vs England, 1889

Maximum successful run-chase: 334/6 in Australia vs South Africa, 2002

The highest individual score262- Stephen Fleming (NZ) vs South Africa, 2006

Best Bowling Images (Innings): 8/11 – John Briggs (ENG) vs South Africa, 1889

Best Bowling Images (Related): 15/28 – John Briggs (ENG) vs South Africa, 1889

Average first innings score: 322

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Newlands, Cape Town Peach Report

Heaven for poets! This is what we got in the first innings in the last game when India bowled out South Africa for just 55. The wicket here has been quite bad to be honest, as batsmen have no chance to build an innings.

The pitch controller can set something up to adjust, but controllers still have to create a large “test” for high-order batteries. The actual audio report will be broadcast live before the live action for the second and final test of the series.

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Newlands, Cape Town, Final Test

The last time Newlands hosted a Test match, the ICC called the match ‘unsatisfactory’. The tournament was completed in two days of cricket, with a total of 464 runs scored in four innings ie 116 runs per innings.

Mohammad Siraj 6/15 Rattle SA, registered 55/10. In reply, India were in the driving seat before losing six wickets for zero runs! They were demolished from 153/4 to 153/10.

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