Kagiso Rabada believes that the Newlands wicket will see a five-day clash that is even between batters and bowlers in the second Test against Pakistan.

The talk surrounding this series will always be about the pitch and what it will produce for the seamers. It was the focus at Centurion.

Newlands is up next, and with the Proteas 1-0 up in the series, Rabada expects more hard work on a flat wicket that could see a contest lasting five days.

‘We have been talking about the pitch already, it looks a little dull; in a way that it looks like it might be five days here. We made a joke with Evan [Flint],’ he added. ‘But you never know with cricket pitches… who knows what will happen. It looks like a good wicket. Whenever I have come here it has always been a good contest between bat and bowl.’

The thing about KG that stands out, is his amazing ability to keep his intensity at a consistently high level and being able to bowl high speeds throughout a game.

The 23-year-old believes the science behind the game has helped keep him fit and performing consistently for long periods.

‘I think scientifically the game has come to the stage where it has become more professional. You go off the field and there’s protein shakes waiting, there is slower mags waiting, there’s rehydrates, there is coke and water; there is so many tricks because there’s so much science being done,’ he said.

‘The conditioning as well – the fitness trainers are always studying new ways to keep guys on the park. But a large part as well is the will that you have inside, that keeps you going.

‘There’s always things that you can improve on. You never really arrive ever. But I think it’s just the way I am, I always try and find a way to improve.

‘At the same time, I have also learnt how to acknowledge my strengths. I have also learnt that things don’t come quickly. You must always look at the mind and battles that you win.’

Having finished 2018 on a high with 52 wickets, the most by any bowler in the calendar year, Rabada looks forward to the new year, and what better way to start than in front of an expected sold-out crowd.

‘There is obviously a few goals that I would like to achieve, and the team as well. Just improving on a few things I can do better than I did last year,’ he continued.

‘You can almost bet on a sold-out ground. It doesn’t get any better than this in terms of Test match atmosphere.’

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