South Africa vs. Bangladesh prediction, team news, pitch report and betting tips for 1st Test | Sporting News

Bangladesh have had barely five days to gather themselves. In Sylhet, they were hauled to a draw against West Indies by Towhid Hridoy's unbeaten 242, and now they fly into Johannesburg to face the best Test side in the world.

South Africa have earned that billing. Simon Harmer took 10 wickets in Cape Town, six for 16 in the second innings, as Australia folded for 111 and Temba Bavuma's side clinched a 2-1 series win and the number-one ranking.

History is stacked against the visitors. South Africa have won 14 of their 16 Tests against Bangladesh, drawing the other two. They swept the last series 2-0 in 2024.

Yet there are small reasons for hope. Mushfiqur Rahim has become the first Bangladesh batter to reach 7,000 Test runs, Mohammad Naim Sheikh returns as an opening option, and Dale Benkenstein, once of South Africa, joins as batting specialist. Whether that is enough remains to be seen.

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South Africa vs. Bangladesh 1st Test prediction: Who will win?

South Africa should win this, and win it well. They are the new number-one side, fresh from a Cape Town decider in which Harmer and Rabada skittled Australia for 111, and they have never lost to Bangladesh in 16 Tests.

The visitors have a resilient middle order in Hridoy and Mushfiqur but their openers are in flux after injuries to Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Against South Africa's quicks, that matters.

TSN Prediction: South Africa to win.

South Africa vs. Bangladesh pitch report, 1st Test: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Head-to-head in Test: South Africa vs. Bangladesh

South Africa vs. Bangladesh recent Test matches

South Africa vs. Bangladesh betting tips for 1st Test

Here is our favourite betting angle for South Africa vs. Bangladesh:

South Africa vs. Bangladesh predicted lineups, team news for 1st Test

Here's how we think both sides will line up in this game:

South Africa predicted lineup against Bangladesh

Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada

Bangladesh predicted lineup against South Africa

Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam

South Africa vs. Bangladesh Odds: Who is the favourite for the 1st Test?

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How to watch South Africa vs. Bangladesh 1st Test match: Live stream, TV channel

Here is all the key information for how to watch South Africa vs. Bangladesh 1st test:

- Date: November 15-19

- Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesberg

- Time: 13:30 p.m. (IST)

- TV/Stream: FanCode