South Africa will face Bangladesh in the first of their two-Test series at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, November 15. The Proteas will head into the contest after a 2-1 home series victory over Australia, while Bangladesh are looking to recover from a 1-0 defeat to the West Indies.
The series carries significance in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. South Africa are second in the standings with 71.43% points percentage (PCT), while fifth-placed Bangladesh have 45.83%. Both teams need points to strengthen their chances of reaching the WTC Final.
Bangladesh have also had just five days to recover after their home series against the West Indies. South Africa have won all eight of their previous Tests against Bangladesh on home soil.
SA vs BAN Match Preview and Recent Form
South Africa made an impressive comeback against Australia. Having lost the opening Test, the Proteas won the next two matches to seal the series 2-1. They also claimed the top spot in the Test rankings following their victory in Cape Town.
Simon Harmer played a decisive role in the series win, taking 10 wickets in the final Test, including six for 16 in the second innings as Australia were bowled out for 111. Marco Jansen also made valuable all-round contributions, while Temba Bavuma led the side through a strong comeback.
The Proteas have won five of their seven matches in the current WTC cycle. Ryan Rickelton is their leading run-scorer with 435 runs, followed by Aiden Markram with 401 and Bavuma with 320. Harmer has been their leading bowler with 42 wickets, while Jansen has taken 25.
Bangladesh face a difficult challenge after losing their recent home series against the West Indies 1-0. However, they showed resilience in the second Test in Sylhet, where Towhid Hridoy's unbeaten 242 helped them secure a draw. The visitors will need another strong batting effort to compete in Johannesburg.
The Tigers have won three, lost three and drawn two of their eight WTC matches. Najmul Hossain Shanto leads their run-scoring charts with 708 runs, while Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 679 and Litton Das has added 433.
Taijul Islam has taken 28 wickets in the current WTC cycle. Mehidy Hasan Miraz has taken 21, while Hasan Mahmud has claimed 20. Shadman Islam is unavailable due to an ankle injury, and the visitors are expected to make changes to their combination to suit the conditions.
Bangladesh will also need to adapt quickly to the Kookaburra ball. They can draw some confidence from their earlier WTC performances, which included a series win over Pakistan and a memorable Test victory in Australia.
SA vs BAN Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where to Watch 1st Test?
In India, the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh will be telecast live on the Eurosport TV channel, while live streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website. Fans will need a subscription or match pass to watch the match online.
In South Africa, fans can watch the match live on SuperSport and DStv. Viewers in Bangladesh can stream the Test on Rabbithole, which requires a subscription.
The Test will take place at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from November 15 to 19, 2026. Play will begin at 1:30 PM IST each day, with the toss scheduled for 1:00 PM IST.
SA vs BAN Pitch Report: How Will The Wanderers Play?
The surface at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is expected to offer a balanced contest. Early seam movement could make batting difficult against the new ball.
In the last seven Tests at this venue, the average first-innings score has been around 263, while the second-innings average drops to 220. Fast bowlers have accounted for nearly 92% of the wickets.
In the 44 Tests played at the venue, teams batting first have won 21 matches, while sides batting second have secured 12 victories. The remaining 11 matches ended in draws. Captains have also chosen to bat first in all 16 Tests played here since May 2006.
SA vs BAN Test Stats at The Wanderers Stadium
Total Matches: 39
Won Batting First: 18
Won Bowling First: 11
Average 1st Innings Score: 311
Average 2nd Innings Score: 278
Average 3rd Innings Score: 254
Average 4th Innings Score: 204
Highest Team Total: 652/7 declared (Australia vs South Africa)
Lowest Team Total: 49 (Pakistan vs South Africa)
Highest Score Chased: 310/8 (Australia vs South Africa)
Lowest Score Defended: 72 (South Africa vs England)
Highest Individual Score: 214 (Greg Blewett, Australia vs South Africa, 1997)
Best Bowling in an Innings: 9/113 (Hugh Tayfield, South Africa vs England, 1957)
SA vs BAN Weather Forecast & Rain Threat at The Wanderers
Johannesburg is expected to see some sunshine before cloudy conditions and a possible afternoon thunderstorm on the opening day. AccuWeather forecasts a high of 26°C and a low of 15°C, with a 55% chance of precipitation and north-northwesterly winds at around 19 km/h.
The forecast looks more favourable on November 16, with shifting clouds and sunshine and a 25% chance of rain. However, the possibility of showers and thunderstorms returns on November 17, when the rain probability rises to 55%.
November 18 carries the highest rain threat, with an 88% chance of precipitation and a forecast of occasional thunderstorms. The final day has a 72% chance of rain, with showers and a possible afternoon thunderstorm. Rain could therefore interrupt play.
SA vs BAN Team News & Squad Updates
South Africa have included Dane Paterson in their playing XI for the opening Test, while Anrich Nortje misses out. Zubayr Hamza also features in the announced lineup. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will lead the pace attack.
Bangladesh will be without opener Shadman Islam, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Mohammad Naim returns as an opening option, while former South African batter Dale Benkenstein has joined the visitors' coaching staff as a batting specialist.
SA vs BAN Playing 11 for 1st Test
South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI: Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam.
SA vs BAN Key Player Battles to Watch
Towhid Hridoy vs Simon Harmer
Towhid Hridoy arrives in Johannesburg after scoring an unbeaten 242 in the second Test against the West Indies. Simon Harmer will look to use the Wanderers' conditions to trouble the Bangladesh batter.
Najmul Hossain Shanto vs Marco Jansen
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been Bangladesh's best batter in the middle order. Marco Jansen will look to use his height and left-arm angle to generate extra bounce.
Aiden Markram vs Taskin Ahmed
Aiden Markram will be crucial to South Africa's plans at the top of the order. Taskin Ahmed will look to challenge him with pace and early movement from the new Kookaburra ball.
SA vs BAN Key Players to Watch
South Africa: Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Ryan Rickelton
Bangladesh: Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim
Also read: Marco Jansen beats Shai Hope to win ICC Player of the Month award
