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Cape Town - The attendance figure of the New Year's Test between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands is already in excess of 48 000 as tickets are selling at a rollicking rate.
The latest figures show that close to 15 000 patrons will move through the turnstiles on Day 1 of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, whilst the provisional attendance figure for Friday is just under 11 000, while close to 12 000 spectators are expected to attend on Saturday, January 5.
The provisional attendance figure for the last two days is currently just under 12 000.
Nabeal Dean, chief executive officer of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) said, "The correct capacity of the ground is 20 100 spectators. That includes 3 250 spectators of the Western Province Cricket Club and 1 880 spectators who are members of suites, which leaves a total of 14 970 of regular seats and grass area tickets inside the stadium.
"This is an important perspective. The figures for the second Test underlines Newlands' status as the most popular Test venue in South Africa and the healthy cricket culture of Cape Town."
Clifford Dodgen, stadium and operations manager of the Western Province Cricket Association, said he expects the numbers of the attendance figures to swell to closer to 55 000 before the start of the New Year's Test.
"Spectators will obviously see how things develop on the first three days and it will have an impact on the attendance figure on days four and five," he said.
Evan Flint, curator of Newlands, said the excessive bounce that was a factor at SuperSport Park, will not be seen at Newlands but there will be pace on offer.
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On day four and five there will be turn, which could benefit the spinners, Yasir Shah and Keshav Maharaj.
In 2018, the Newlands Test between South Africa and India lasted four days, and that included a washed out day.
In 2015/2016, South Africa responded with 627 for seven declared to England's 629 for six. England limped to 159 for six on the fifth and final day of the Test at Newlands to settle for a draw.
