Proteas unveil playing XI for opening Bangladesh Test
Zubayr Hamza and Dane Paterson return to the Test setup at the Wanderers as South Africa make two changes to the side that beat Australia.
South Africa have named their Playing XI for the first ICC World Test Championship game against Bangladesh, which begins this Sunday in Johannesburg.
Coming off a third-Test victory against Australia, the Proteas have opted for two changes to their lineup.
South Africa's Playing XI for first Test: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Returning to the Test side for the first time since February 2024, Hamza takes over the crucial No. 3 spot. Paterson bolsters a pace attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder.
Coetzee drops out, while Anrich Nortje remains sidelined with a groin injury, even as off-spinner Simon Harmer retains his spot as the sole specialist spinner, following his ten-wicket match haul in the Cape Town Test against Australia.
Series schedule
First Test: 15-19 November, Johannesburg
Second Test: 23-27 November, Centurion
