South Africa vs Bangladesh 1st Test Predictions - Bavuma backed for another big innings

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 51 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 51 minutes ago

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South Africa won their last two Tests to secure a 2-1 series win over Australia.
Bangladesh lost their last Test series 1-0 to the West Indies.
Can Kagiso Rabada exploit the Wanderers track against Bangladesh’s top order?

Temba Bavuma averages 51.00 against Bangladesh (Getty Images).

The Proteas are overwhelming favourites, making the player markets more attractive. Temba Bavuma's recent Test century makes him a strong candidate to score 50+ in the first innings, while Bangladesh's in-form Towhid Hridoy is worth backing to top-score for the visitors.

South Africa’s Temba Bavuma scored 179 against Australia in the 2nd Test.
South Africa’s Marques Ackerman scored 95 and 62 in the 3rd Test.
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has taken 29 Test wickets against Bangladesh.
South Africa have won 14 of their 16 Tests against Bangladesh (2 drawn).
Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy scored 242* and 82 in his 2 innings in his last Test.
Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud took six wickets in the West Indies' first innings at Sylhet.
Bangladesh lost their recent home Test series against the West Indies 1-0.

Head-to-Head

South Africa have won 14 of 16 Tests against Bangladesh, with two draws. The Proteas won the last six Tests against Bangladesh. Their latest meeting ended in an innings-and-273-run win at Chattogram in October 2024. Bangladesh have never won a Test against South Africa.

South Africa Form

The Proteas secured their series win over Australia with a 176-run victory in the 3rd Test at Newlands, where Simon Harmer claimed 10 wickets as Australia were dismissed for 111 in their second dig.

Bavuma's most impressive contribution came in the 2nd Test in Gqeberha where he struck a career-best 179 from 334 balls to help South Africa recover from 97/5 and set up an innings victory.

Although he failed in the first innings of the final Test, Bavuma's ability to occupy the crease and build substantial innings makes him an attractive selection against Bangladesh. The captain has also enjoyed previous success against the visitors and average 51.00 in Tests against them.

Bangladesh Form

The Tigers arrive in South Africa following a 1-0 home Test series defeat against the West Indies. They avoided defeat in the 2nd Test in Sylhet after scoring 386 and 184/4 in response to the visitors' innings of 356 and 398/6 declared.

Towhid Hridoy was the outstanding performer with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 242 in Bangladesh's first innings before adding 82 in the second. His double-century rescued Bangladesh from a difficult position and demonstrated his ability to bat for long periods under pressure.

Hridoy finished the two-match series with 366 runs, comfortably establishing himself as Bangladesh's leading batsman. His recent form makes him the strongest candidate to top-score for the visitors, although South Africa's pace attack will present a considerably different challenge.

Team News

Tony de Zorzi and Anrich Nortje return to the squad from injury while Zubayr Hamza has been recalled. Paceman Lungi Ngidi is unavailable through injury. Bangladesh are without injured opener Shadman Islam and quick Nahid Rana, with Mohammad Naim and uncapped Mahfijul Islam brought into the squad. Mominul Haque returns after concussion protocols.

South Africa (possible XI): Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.

Bangladesh (possible XI): Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam.

Verdict

South Africa v Bangladesh 1st Test

South Africa's strong home record and recent victory over Australia make them clear favourites to take the win on a track that will be difficult for Bangladesh to survive on through five days, but the best betting opportunities are in the individual batting markets.

Bavuma's experience and recent 179 support backing him for another half-century as well as South Africa's leading first-innings batsman. Hridoy's exceptional performances against the West Indies make him the preferred Bangladesh batter to back.

South Africa Win

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

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