The Wanderers, Johannessburg hosts the first of two test matches between South Africa and Bangladesh, the game gets under way on Sunday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
This is a 2 match series with Supersport Park, Centruion hosting the second math. After that we have 3 ODI’s and 3 T20’s to look forward to. Let’s begin with the test match squads.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Marques Ackerman, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Mahfijul Islam
Recent Form:
South Africa
South Africa were 2-1 winners at home to Australia in a 3 match series in October. Although they lost the first test in Durban by 214 runs they hot back with thrilling wins at St. Georges (an innings and 31 runs) and Newlands (176 runs) to claim the series victory. That was the Proteas first test match action since they won 2-0 in India late in 2025.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh were disappointing in their most recent series at home to West Indies. They lost the first test by 8 wickets and earlier this month the second contest ended in a draw. Before that series a one off test with Afghanistan staged in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw although Bangladesh will feel it was an opportunity missed with Afghan holding out on the final day. The big headlines were made in August when Bangladesh won the opening test match in Australia by 9 wickets. Although they lost the second test by an innings and 51 runs to draw the series that astonishing victory will go down in the history books.
Head to Head
The teams last met for a 2 match series in Bangladesh in October 2024 and South Africa won the first match by 7 wickets and the second by an innings and 273 runs.
Bangladesh last toured South Africa for a test series in March / April 2022 and South Africa won both tests, in Durban by 220 runs and Gqeberha by 332 runs.
Since 2002 South Africa have won 14 of 16 test matches against Bangladesh and 2 draws came in rain affected games in Bangladesh in 2015.
The Venue, The Wanderers, Johannesburg
The Proteas have played only 2 test matches at The Wanderers in the last 5 years. In January 2022 they beat India by 7 wickets and in March 2023 they beat West Indies by 284 runs.
Click Here For The Johannesburg Weather Forecast
1st Test Betting
Prices quoted from Sportingbet are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
South Africa are 1 / 4 to win the test with a draw at 11/2 and Bangladesh can be backed at 7/1
Markram and Bavuma are 4/1 joint favourites to top score for South Africa in the first innings and Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada are 23/10 joint favourites to be top South African wicket taker in the first innings.
The Verdict
Bangladesh’s win in the first test in Australia is a warning they shouldn’t be underestimated but they haven’ t built on that and they might battle to adapt their game to altitude.
It’s a one sided betting heat and just a nibble pre match for me which is for Marco Jansen to be top SA wicket taker in the first innings.
Bets: South Africa top 1st innings wicket taker, Marco Jansen at 23/10 with Sportingbet