Cape Town – India can brace for another pace barrage when they face the Proteas in the second Test in Centurion from Saturday.

READ: Gibson wants Proteas to continue pace barrage

The tourists struggled in the first Test in Cape Town – they were dismissed for 209 and 135 in their respective innings – before losing by 72 runs.

The South African fast bowlers had a field day, with man-of-the-match Vernon Philander claiming nine wickets, including six in India’s second innings.

Bryan Bloy, SuperSport Park’s groundsman, told Netwerk24 that the message from the Proteas camp is clear: they want a lively pitch with lots of bounce and pace.

Bloy said the recent heatwave in Gauteng made preparation difficult, but that he was doing his best to adhere to the home side’s request.

“Our aim is to prepare a pitch that has something in it for the bowlers in the morning before getting a little more batsman friendly. Due to the heat, the pitch will also wear away a bit on the fourth and fifth day,” Bloy said, before adding: “But it will a quick surface with bounce and a little sideways movement.”

The news will be welcomed by Proteas coach Ottis Gibson, who was quoted as saying on Monday: “When you are playing at home you play to your strengths and at the moment we have some high-quality fast bowlers. I’m a very fast bowling-minded kind of coach.”