South Africa target a clinical finish against Pakistan in the second test at Newlands after a tense first match

South Africa enters the second and final Test against Pakistan at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday with momentum on their side after securing a two-wicket victory in the opening match at SuperSport Park in Pretoria. The win not only gave them a hard-fought series lead but also sealed their place in this year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final, set to be played at Lord’s in June.

Having won six consecutive red-ball matches, their best run since a remarkable nine-match streak between 2002 and 2003, South Africa’s confidence is at an all-time high. However, their brittle batting line-up remains a concern, particularly in conditions where the pitch is known for being treacherous. Their recent encounter at Newlands, where they lost two of their last three Tests, will be fresh in their minds as they look to continue their winning ways on home soil.

South Africa’s batting issues have been glaring. Despite winning, their batting group has lacked the consistency and clinical edge needed to dominate games. Captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged that although the team has often found ways to win, they have not always been ruthless when opportunities arose. “We definitely haven’t been clinical or ruthless when the opportunity or the situation is called upon,” Bavuma admitted. “But I think what we’ve done is that we’ve found ways to make sure that the result is on our side.”

Bavuma pointed out that South Africa’s batting line-up doesn’t boast players averaging above 45, with most averaging in the mid-30s, suggesting that consistent contributions from all players are crucial for the team’s success.

For Pakistan, the heartbreak of the first Test loss still lingers. They were in a strong position, having reduced South Africa to 99-8 while chasing just 148 on a challenging Centurion pitch. Yet, despite their best efforts, all-rounder Marco Jansen and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada managed to guide the hosts to an improbable victory. Pakistan captain Shan Masood has been vocal about the need for his side to be more ruthless in future encounters.

“We keep making the same mistakes but we have to get over the line and seize moments,” Masood said. “There are moments where you get that extra cushion and we have to finish off games. We have to finish off our batting and bowling innings well.”

Pakistan’s record in South Africa is a daunting one; they have won only two of their previous 16 Tests on South African soil, with their last victory coming in 2007. Additionally, they have never won in Cape Town, losing all four of their previous visits. This difficult history, combined with the team’s inability to capitalise on opportunities in the first Test, means Pakistan has a tough road ahead.

The match at Newlands promises to be an exciting spectacle, with a large crowd expected for the holiday fixture. For South Africa, this is one of their few remaining home tests in a while. According to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Programme, this will be South Africa’s last home Test until Australia’s visit in September 2026, making this a rare opportunity for fans to witness top-tier cricket at home in 2025.

As both teams look ahead to the second Test, the stakes remain high. South Africa will be eager to continue their run of dominance, while Pakistan will be determined to finish the series on a high note and prove they can seize key moments in the pressure cooker of Test cricket.