When India defeated South Africa in Cape Town, the same wicket was utilized. Twelve months beforehand

On the first day of the second international Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on January 3, 2025, Ryan Rickelton of South Africa watches the ball after making a shot. AFP

South Africa reached 174 for three after drinks on the opening day of the second and final Test match against Pakistan at Newlands on Friday, thanks to a century from opener Ryan Rickelton. However, they lost some crucial wickets in the latter part of the session.

Rickelton, a left-hander, wowed with a fluid innings that included 14 boundaries. After Tristan Stubbs was dismissed on the last ball before lunch, captain Temba Bavuma remained calm at the crease and scored a cool half-century.

The game is being played on the same field where, a year ago, India won the shortest Test in history with a clear winner, defeating South Africa by seven wickets in 107 overs in a Cape Town Test.

This pitch doesn’t have the difficult conditions of the last match, despite significant seam movement. With a 61-run opening partnership, Aiden Markram and Rickelton seemed at ease. But after Markram edged a delivery from Khurram Shahzad to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who made a quick catch off the under-edge, Markram was out for 17.

Wiaan Mulder, who was promoted to bat at number three after recovering from an injury, only scored five runs before giving Rizwan another easy catch, this time off Mohammad Abbas. Just before midday, Rizwan claimed his third victim when spinner Salman Agha was edged to the hands of the watchful keeper by Tristan Stubbs, who was unable to get off the mark.

After winning an exciting two-wicket victory in the first Test in Pretoria, South Africa is aiming for a 2-0 series triumph and is already guaranteed a berth in the June World Test Championship final at Lord’s against as-yet-unconfirmed opponents.

The Proteas gave 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka his first appearance, making him the youngest Test player in the history of the country and overtaking former spinner Paul Adams. This added intrigue to the team. The home team has made three changes, including Maphaka.

After lunch, Bavuma and Rickelton took the helm and steadied the ship with a methodical partnership as the South African innings continued. Rickelton was finding the holes with ease, but Bavuma, demonstrating his characteristic tenacity, rotated the strike effectively. On a surface that had begun to soften under the Cape Town sun, their partnership surpassed 100 runs, frustrating the opposition bowlers who were having trouble making progress.

However, Mohammad Abbas struck again, dismissing Rickelton for a solid 89, just as the pair were ready to take control. The catch was easily secured as the left-hander misjudged an outswinger and edged it to second slip. Abbas was rewarded with his second wicket of the innings for his persistently challenging, disciplined line and length.

Unfazed, Bavuma achieved his half-century soon after, having been devastated by the death of his partner. Anchoring the innings with calmness, he appeared intent to turning it into a large score. Heinrich Klaasen, the next batter at the other end, started off with assurance and played a few aggressive strokes to ease the pressure.

Pakistan’s bowlers, meanwhile, were working hard in difficult circumstances. As the ball grew older, the spinner, Salman Agha, found some turn and bounce, but the South African hitters aggressively challenged him. Commentators discussed the introduction of rookie fast bowler Kwena Maphaka in the South African XI, with many admiring his raw pace and potential. As he got ready for his chance with the ball later in the game, his debut was being monitored intently.

It seemed obvious that South Africa’s plan was to bat well into the day in order to provide their bowlers with a solid base on which to operate in the second innings. The home team was in a strong position to control the game with Bavuma holding firm and the lower middle order still to arrive.