Black Caps in Cape Town: What history says

Stephen Fleming made 262 and James Franklin 122 the last time New Zealand played at Cape Town. Photo / Touchline/Getty Images

New Zealand's test record against South Africa makes grim reading - four wins from 38 tests.

However in Cape Town, it is a far happier story. The teams have met four times at Newlands and the record for the tourists is impressive.

January 1954: Drawn.
New Zealand made 505, its highest test total to that time, after winning the toss. John Reid hit 135, the first of his six test tons, sharing a 176-run stand for the fifth wicket with debutant John Beck, who was lucklessly run out on 99.

South Africa replied with 326, a career-best six for 68 from captain Geoff Rabone, who got through a marathon 38.7 eight-ball overs. Following on, South Africa were 159 for three when the game ended.

January 1962: Won by 72 runs
New Zealand's second test victory, and first overseas, was a cause for great jubilation.
Again, winning the toss, New Zealand made 385, of which 34-year-old Zin Harris, father of latter-day allrounder Chris Harris, made his only test century, 101, and Reid 92.

South Africa mustered just 190, clever seamer Frank Cameron's five for 48, and legspinner Jack Alabaster four for 61 doing the trick for New Zealand.

The tourists' declared their second innings at 212 for nine, wicketkeeper Artie Dick making an unbeaten 50, leaving South Africa an improbable 408 to win.

They were dismissed for 335 in 142.2 overs, Alabaster's four for 119 off 50 overs taking the bowling honours, his eight for 180 his best test match analysis.

South African seamer Syd Burke took 11 for 196 on debut, yet played just one more test in a strange career.

New Zealand went on to win the fifth test at Port Elizabeth and square the five-game series 2-2.

January 1995: Lost by 7 wickets
Winning another toss didn't help Ken Rutherford's team. They were dismissed for 288, of which future captain Stephen Fleming, batting at No 7, made 79 and Rutherford 56.

South Africa took charge with 440, soon-to-be disgraced captain Hansie Cronje making 112 and the current International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson 109.

Despite half centuries from Fleming and Bryan Young, New Zealand's 239 wasn't anywhere near enough to test the South Africans, who reached 89 for three to wrap up the series 2-1, having lost the first match.

April 2006: Drawn
A run-fest. New Zealand, sent in, made 593 for eight declared. Fleming hit 262 and with James Franklin making 122 not out, the pair put on 256 for the eighth wicket, still the best by a New Zealand pair for that wicket, and the third best of all time.

South Africa made 512, with centuries to Hashim Amla and Ashwell Prince, as spinners Dan Vettori and Jeetan Patel rolled up 105 overs for a combined return of five for 264.

New Zealand's 121 for three ensured a tame draw in a match where 1226 runs were scored, 21 wickets taken at a rate of 58 runs per wicket, and 18.5 overs per wicket.