South Africa Playing 11 vs India –1st Test, 2023

South Africa will eye to win the Test series to avenge their ODI series defeat against India. IND vs SA 1st Test will commence on Tuesday, December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Temba Bavuma is the captain of South Africa.

South Africa has not played any match in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. They will face India in their first series of the WTC 2025 cycle. South Africa is a strong side in Tests at home and also crushed India during the previous tour. Ahead of IND vs SA 1st Test, we discuss South Africa’s predicted playing 11 vs India.

South Africa Playing 11 vs India –1st Test, 2023

Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar will be the opener for South Africa in the 1st Test against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The left-handed batsman showcased a decent form in the previous Test series against West Indies in February. He slammed 119 runs across 2 games with 1 half-century.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Indian Bowling Unit Nullifies Our Home Advantage – Temba Bavuma

Tony de Zorzi

Tony de Zorzi might be the other opener for South Africa against India. He showed wonderful form in the previous Test series, scoring 114 runs across with a top knock of 85 runs. He also slammed a century against India in the previous ODI series.

Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram will take the one-down position. The right-handed batter delivered an impeccable batting show in the previous Test series. The Proteas white-ball skipper slammed 276 runs across 2 games in the series, smacking 1 hundred and 1 fifty.

Temba Bavuma (C)

Temba Bavuma is the skipper of South Africa in the IND vs SA Test series and will lead the team in the 1st Test. He will bat in the middle-order. Bavuma was another impressive batter in the last Test series. The right-handed batsman mustered 200 runs in 2 games with 1 century.

Also Read: IND vs SA: “It Is The Bounce” – Faf du Plessis Reveals Factor Which Might Trouble India

Keegan Petersen

Keegan Petersen might be another batter in the middle-order. He was also part of the previous series where he scored 21 runs in one match. So far, the right-handed batter has played 11 Tests and scored 596 runs at an average of 29.80.

Kyle Verreynne (WK)

Kyle Verrynne might be the wicketkeeper for South Africa. Among three members, he is the only keeper with Test experience. David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs have not played any matches. In 14 Tests, Verreynne has hit 572 runs averaging 28.60. The right-handed batter also slammed 1 century and 2 half-centuries.

Marco Jansen

Marco Jansen will be a pace all-rounder for Proteas against India in the opening Test in Centurion. Jansen played 1 Test in the previous series and picked 3 wickets. He also slammed 29 runs with the bat with an unbeaten 23 runs in one innings. Jansen showed a wonderful form in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

Also Read: IND vs SA: KL Rahul To Keep Wickets In South Africa Tests, Confirms Rahul Dravid

Keshav Maharaj

Keshav Maharaj will be a spinner for South Africa. He picked 3 wickets across 1 game in the last series. Maharaj is a crucial spinner for the team who also has the ability to bat. This year, the left-arm spinner has only played 2 Tests in which he has 4 wickets.

Gerald Coetzee

Gerald Coetzee will play an important Test series against India, where his prowess in the longest format will be tested. The right-arm pacer was highly successful on Indian soil during ICC World Cup 2023. He took 20 wickets to finish as the team’s leading wicket-taker. Coetzee showed a wonderful form in the previous Test series, getting 9 scalps across 2 matches.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada will be another pacer for South Africa. He is the most crucial pacer for the team and will lead the pace attack against India. He was the most successful bowler in the previous Test series with 12 scalps across 2 games.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Watch – Virat Kohli Undergoes Intensified Batting Session Ahead Of Boxing Day Test

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi missed the ODI and T20I series due to an injury. However, the South Africa coach said that he will be back in the Test series. Ngidi is another experienced pacer. Ngidi has not played any Test this year. However, in the absence of Anrich Nortje, Lgidi will be a crucial part of the playing 11.