South Africa and Pakistan will face off in the ongoing second and final SA vs PAK Test series from Friday (January 3, 2025). The match is scheduled to be played at Newlands, Cape Town.
The home side took the lead in the series after a thrilling 2-wicket win in the first match of the series in Centurion. The win also saw South Africa become the first team to book a place in the World Test Cup final.
Chasing 148 runs to win the game, South Africa were in deep trouble after being reduced to 19/3 and then 99/8. However, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada held their nerve and came up with a brilliant unbeaten partnership of 51 runs to take their team over the finish line.
Earlier in the game, Pakistan scored 211 runs in the first innings with Kamran Ghulam scoring 50. For the home side, Dane Paterson picked up 5 wickets on his debut Corbin Bosch took 4 wickets.
In reply, South Africa scored 301 runs to take a comfortable lead of 91 runs. Aiden Markram top scorer for the hosts, scoring 89, while Bosch remained unbeaten with 81. In the second innings, Pakistan scored 237 runs, with Jansen taking 6 wickets.
SA vs PAK Match Prediction – 2nd Test, Pakistan Tour of South Africa 2024-25:
SA vs PAK Key factors
Field conditions
The pitch for the second SA vs PAK Test will be very focused because of what happened during the last Test played at this venue. The last Test played in Cape Town was between India and South Africa in January 2024.
It was a low-scoring game with most of the batsmen from both sides struggling to make an impact. The Pacers completely dominated the proceedings while the spinners did not bowl a single over in the game. South Africa scored 55 and 176 runs in two innings while India scored 153 and 80/3 to win the match by 7 wickets.
The pitch was later rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by the ICC under the ICC’s on-pitch and off-pitch monitoring process. Although the conditions might improve a bit for the batsmen in the upcoming match, the bowlers are still expected to dominate the match.
Form and condition
South Africa had a few injury problems ahead of the first Test. Although both Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj were in the squad, they were not fully fit. Both players are still in the squad and are likely to be available for the upcoming game. As for Pakistan, there are no injury concerns so far.
Prediction of results
| Team | 1st amendment | 2nd amendment |
| WITH | 200-250 (display, other). | 150-200 (display, expert). |
| PUCK | 150-200 (display, expert). | 100-150 (display, expert). |
SA vs PAK Players to make predictions
WITH – Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada are key players for South Africa.
PAK – Babar AzamSaim Ayub, Shan Masood, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Abbas are the key players for Pakistan.
SA vs PAK Best Batsman Prediction
Who will score the most runs for SA in the match: Temba Bavuma or Tristan Stubbs
Who will score the most runs for PAK in the match: Saim Ayub or Kamran Ghulam
SA vs PAK Best Bowler Prediction
Who will pick the most wickets for SA in the match: Kagiso Rabada or Marco Jansen
Who will pick the most wickets for PAK in the match: Mohammad Abbas or Naseem Shah
Conclusion – Who will win the match?
South Africa will start the second Test against Pakistan as favorites and are expected to win the match.
The Proteas have never lost a Test against Pakistan in Cape Town and will look to maintain their unbeaten record. Pakistan, on the other hand, will have to come up with something special to stun the hosts.
