Eight Tests, Eight Defeats, and a Different Bangladesh: The Highveld Waits at the Wanderers
South Africa beat Australia 2-1 and are the No. 1 Test side in the world. Bangladesh have never won a Test against them in 16 tries. But Simon Harmer calls this the toughest Bangladesh team South Africa have faced, and Towhid Hridoy arrives straight off 242 not out and 82 in Sylhet.
The history, and why it may not be the whole story
The numbers are stark. Bangladesh have played South Africa 16 times in Tests, lost 14 and drawn two, and both of those draws, in 2015, owed more to rain than to cricket. In South Africa they have played eight Tests and lost all eight, including both on their last tour in 2022. This is the first of two Tests, with the second in Centurion from November 23, and both count towards the World Test Championship.
South Africa's own story is one of a team at the top. They lost heavily in Durban to start their home series against Australia, then won in Cape Town and at St George's Park to take it 2-1 and go to No. 1 in the Test rankings. Temba Bavuma made a career-best 179 in that series. In the decider, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both made hundreds, Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in the first over of Australia's chase, and Simon Harmer finished it with 6 for 16 from 21.1 overs.
And yet the South Africans are not talking like favourites. Harmer said this would be "the toughest Bangladesh team that we've come up against". Keshav Maharaj pointed to Bangladesh's drawn series in Australia, and Aiden Markram said they now have "the batters that can handle pace and bounce". Bavuma has said the highveld pitches in Johannesburg and Centurion will suit Bangladesh's fast bowlers too.
South Africa: strong, settled, with a few gaps to fill
South Africa have recalled Tony de Zorzi, back from a hamstring injury, and Zubayr Hamza. Anrich Nortje returns after the groin injury he picked up at St George's Park. David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne are left out, and Lungi Ngidi is still in rehab. With Verreynne gone, Rickelton may take the gloves.
The attack picks itself for a Wanderers Test: Rabada, Marco Jansen, Nortje and Mulder, with Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson in reserve. The bigger question is spin. Harmer won them the series against Australia, but on a fast Johannesburg pitch, South Africa may play only one spinner, and Harmer's form makes him the likely one ahead of Maharaj.
A possible South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje. Marques Ackerman and Bosch are other options if South Africa want a different balance.
Bangladesh: Hridoy's moment, and a top order under the spotlight
Bangladesh come here five days after a draw in Sylhet that cost them the series against West Indies 1-0. The draw was earned by Towhid Hridoy, who made 242 not out and then 82 off 140 balls on the last day, 324 runs in the match and the most by a Bangladesh batter in a single Test. Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladesh batter to 7,000 Test runs in that game, and Hasan Mahmud took 6 for 90.
The squad, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as vice-captain, has some new and returning faces. Mohammad Naim is back after four years away, the uncapped Mahfijul Islam is waiting for a debut, and Mominul Haque returns after missing the Sylhet Test under concussion rules. Litton Das is back too. Nahid Rana, their quickest bowler, is not available. That leaves Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain as the seamers, with Taijul Islam and Mehidy for spin.
The top order is the worry. A possible Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam. Bangladesh may pick Taijul or Ebadot instead of one of these, depending on how green the pitch looks on the morning.
The numbers that matter
| Head to head in Tests | 16 played: South Africa 14 wins, 2 draws |
| Bangladesh in South Africa | 8 Tests, 8 defeats |
| South Africa's last series | Beat Australia 2-1 at home, now No. 1 in Tests |
| Simon Harmer in the decider | 21.1 overs, 14 maidens, 6 for 16 |
| Temba Bavuma | Career-best 179 v Australia |
| Bangladesh's last series | Lost 1-0 at home to West Indies |
| Towhid Hridoy in Sylhet | 242* and 82, 324 runs in the match |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | First Bangladesh batter to 7,000 Test runs |
| Second Test | Centurion, from November 23 |
Pitch and conditions — pace, bounce and thin air
The Wanderers curator, Brendon Frost, has said he wants pace and bounce that last all five days. That is the classic Johannesburg pitch: a bit of grass, a hard surface, and a ball that keeps carrying even on day four. At around 1,750 metres above sea level, the ball also travels faster through the air, and the bowlers tire more quickly. That is a lot for a Bangladesh side whose players have spent most of their careers close to sea level.
The first session may decide a lot. If Bangladesh win the toss and the pitch is green, Taskin and Hasan could make South Africa's top order work hard. If South Africa get through that first hour, totals of 350 and more are possible on this ground. Spin usually comes in later, and Harmer, with his control, could matter on the last two days.
The verdict
South Africa are at home, at their best, and on a ground that suits Rabada, Jansen and Nortje better than almost any other. Bangladesh have never won a Test against them. On those facts alone, it is hard to look past the hosts.
Our lean is towards South Africa, with some confidence. But this Bangladesh side has drawn a series in Australia, has a batter in Hridoy who is playing the best cricket of his life, and has seamers who can bowl quickly. If they bat with the patience Hridoy showed in Sylhet, they could well take this deep into the fifth day, and the South Africans know it.
South Africa vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, The Wanderers, Johannesburg — starts Sunday, November 15, 10:00 AM SAST / 1:30 PM IST. Unlock CricIntel Pro for Test match projections and predictions.