England tour of South Africa, 2026-27 · TEST MATCH
South Africa vs England 3rd Test Prediction
SA vs ENG · who will win, pitch report & odds
South Africa
47% win probability
Projected day-one total
245-293:233-281
England
53% win probability
- Tue, 29 Dec 2026Series window, not a confirmed XI date
- 19:30 IST
- Newlands, Cape Town
- TWO-PACED / BOWLING
Quick answer
Quick answer
Powerplay247's model gives England a 53% chance and South Africa 47% in the SA vs ENG 3rd Test at Newlands. Expect South Africa around 245-293 and England around 233-281 on a surface rated two-paced / bowling. First ball: Tue, 29 Dec 2026, 19:30 IST.
- Favourite
- England (53%)
- Format
- TEST MATCH
- Pitch suits
- Bowlers
- Venue
- Newlands
Match prediction
SA vs ENG 3rd Test: who will win?
Powerplay247's model leans England at 53% for this 3rd Test at Newlands, Cape Town. The toss and the two-paced / bowling conditions will still move the live price, so treat 53% as a lean rather than a certainty.
Predicted winner
England
53% win probability
3rd Test · TEST MATCH
South Africa win
47%
England win
53%
SA projected
245-293
ENG projected
233-281
Pitch and conditions
Newlands pitch report for SA vs ENG
Newlands is rated two-paced / bowling for this test match. The ball comes on at uneven pace, which punishes hard hands and keeps totals under par.
Venue
Newlands
Surface
TWO-PACED / BOWLING
Best suited to
Bowlers
Day-one total
245-293 / 233-281
Toss call: Most sides choose to bowl, since the surface tends to slow down further as the game goes on.
Projected scoreline
South Africa vs England projected score by phase
How the day-one total is expected to build, phase by phase, on a two-paced / bowling surface.
| Phase | South Africa | England |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 80-96 | 73-91 |
| Session 2 | 88-104 | 85-101 |
| Session 3 | 77-93 | 75-89 |
| Day-one total | 245-293 | 233-281 |
Players to watch
Key players in South Africa vs England
The names most likely to move the batter, bowler and player-runs markets in this test match. Final XIs are confirmed at the toss.
South Africa
- HK88Impact
Heinrich Klaasen
Adds lower-order runs
- TS90Impact
Tristan Stubbs
Converts starts into hundreds
England
- PS86Impact
Phil Salt
Anchors the first innings
- CW96Impact
Chris Woakes
Hits a hard length
Betting notes
How to bet on SA vs ENG 3rd Test
Four angles worth weighing before you place a bet on this fixture.
- 01
Between the toss and the first ball, liquidity is thin and prices move fast. That window is where an informed view on the two-paced / bowling surface pays off most.
- 02
In a Test, the match moves session by session. Session-runs and next-wicket markets on South Africa vs England react faster than the overall result line.
- 03
The previous result is already in England's price. If you think the market has overreacted, the exchange lets you take the other side at 47%.
- 04
At 47-53, this is close to a coin flip. Tight Test markets usually swing hardest during the second session, so an early position with room to trade out makes sense.
Match card
South Africa vs England match details
- Series
- England tour of South Africa, 2026-27
- Match
- 3rd Test (3 of 6)
- Date
- Tue, 29 Dec 2026
- Start
- 19:30 IST
- Venue
- Newlands, Cape Town
- Format
- TEST MATCH
- Series window
- Thu, 17 Dec 2026 - Fri, 15 Jan 2027
- Series format
- 3 Tests | 3 ODIs
Match preview
South Africa meet England in the 3rd Test of England tour of South Africa, 2026-27 at Newlands, Cape Town. As match 3 of 6 in England tour of South Africa, 2026-27, it follows on directly from the form of the last game. South Africa are at home, and home conditions are already built into the numbers. Our projection has South Africa scoring 245-293 and England 233-281, with England ahead at 53%. Treat that as a lean, not a lock: the toss and the first hour at Newlands will move the live price on Powerplay247.
All fixturesNext on the calendar
More cricket fixtures
England tour of South Africa, 2026-27
1st ODI: South Africa vs England
Sun, 03 Jan 2027
England tour of South Africa, 2026-27
2nd ODI: South Africa vs England
Sat, 09 Jan 2027
England tour of South Africa, 2026-27
3rd ODI: South Africa vs England
Fri, 15 Jan 2027
England tour of South Africa, 2026-27
1st Test: South Africa vs England
Thu, 17 Dec 2026
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Read moreFrequently asked questions
6 questions
SA vs ENG 3rd Test: who will win?
Powerplay247's model makes England favourites at 53%, with South Africa on 47%. That is based on team strength, venue history and a two-paced / bowling pitch at Newlands. It is a projection, not a guarantee, so check the live price before placing a bet.
What is the pitch report for Newlands?
Newlands, Cape Town is rated two-paced / bowling for this Test, which suits bowlers. That is why South Africa are projected at 245-293 and England at 233-281. The pitch usually moves the totals and the second session markets more than the match-winner price.
When and where is South Africa vs England?
The 3rd Test is scheduled for Tue, 29 Dec 2026, 19:30 IST at Newlands, Cape Town, as part of England tour of South Africa, 2026-27. Dates follow the series calendar and can change, so confirm with the board's official schedule on match day.
Does home advantage matter in the 3rd Test?
Yes. South Africa know Newlands well, and that is already part of England's 53% rating. If the two-paced / bowling conditions play differently than expected, South Africa at 47% is the value side.
Which markets are best for this Test?
Session runs, first-innings lead and next-wicket markets. In a Test at Newlands, those move far more than the result line, especially after the first session.
Who should bat first at Newlands if they win the toss?
Most sides choose to bowl, since the surface tends to slow down further as the game goes on. On a two-paced / bowling surface, the toss will move the the second session and totals markets more than the headline odds.
Still have a question? Our support team answers on WhatsApp.
Ask on WhatsAppPredictions, projected scores and win percentages on this page come from Powerplay247's own model, built from team strength, venue history and conditions. They are estimates, not guarantees, and live prices on the exchange are the only prices that settle. For adults of legal age only; set limits and play responsibly.