Newlands, Cape Town, field history and test records

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

The second test awaits in Cape Town, a city that has organized the most tests (60) in South Africa. Pakistan would be wary of the fact that it has never defeated South Africa here in four attempts. In fact, this is the same ground where the famous low-scoring affair between South Africa and India took place in January 2024.

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

Newlands, Cape Town, test record and statistics

The Proteas have a 27-22 record at the venue. No fewer than eleven tests have been held here, with the first match dating back to 1889.

Here is a list of some important figures you should know from the previous Test matches organized at this ground:

Matches played: 60

Matches won by teams batting first: 23

Matches won by teams batting second: 26

Matches equal: 0

Matches drawn: 11

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

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

Highest successful pursuit: 334/6 by Australia vs South Africa, 2002

Highest individual score:262- Stephen Fleming (NZ) vs South Africa, 2006

Best bowling figures (innings): 8/11 – John Briggs (ENG) vs South Africa, 1889

Best bowling figures (competition): 28/15 – John Briggs (ENG) vs South Africa, 1889

Average score in the first innings: 322

Newlands, Cape Town pitch report

Heaven for pacers! That’s what we got in the last match when India bundled out South Africa for just 55 in the first innings. The wicket was honestly quite poor here, with batters having no chance of building an innings.

The fielding curator could prepare something to make up for it, but the pacers should still pose a huge “test” for the top-order batsmen. The exact pitch report will be broadcast live just before the live action of the second and final Test of the series.

Newlands, Cape Town, final test

The last time Newlands hosted a Test match, the ICC rated the pitch as ‘unsatisfactory’. The encounter ended within two days of cricket with a total of 464 runs being scored over four innings, i.e. 116 runs per innings.

Mohanmmed Siraj’s 6/15 rattled SA, who posted 55/10. In response, India were in the driver’s seat before they lost six wickets for zero runs! From 153/4 they crumbled to 153/10.

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

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Edited by Arshit Garg