SA vs IND: South Africa's Predicted Playing XI vs India, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 3rd Test

South Africa have bounced back brilliantly with a 7-wicket win in the second Test after losing the first Test by a big margin of 113 runs. Dean Elgar led the way with the bat as he played a sensational unbeaten 96-run knock in 188 balls to guide his team home.

The third Test is scheduled to be played at Newland’s Cricket Ground in Cape Town. South Africa have never lost a Test series against India at Newland’s Cricket Ground in Cape Town. Thus, they would be keen to win the third Test and secure a 2-1 series win. Ahead of the third Test of the series, here’s a look at our South Africa’s predicted playing XI.

SA vs IND: South Africa’s Predicted Playing XI vs India, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 3rd Test

Openers: Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram

Markram hasn’t had a great series thus far. Markram would be disappointed with his performances, and in hindsight, he knows that he could have fared a lot better than that. He though looked good in his last innings, scoring 31 off 38 balls but, unfortunately, got out leg-before. Markram would be keen to come good in the last Test match.

Dean Elgar, on the other hand, has looked sublime in the series. It wouldn’t be easy for India to get him out as he has an outstanding record at Cape Town Ground. In 2 Tests, he has 202 runs so far in the series at an average of 51.00.

Middle-Order: Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne

All three namely, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma are amongst the runs and these are positive signs for South Africa. Keegan Petersen scored a vital 62 off 118 in the second innings of the second Test, Rassie van der Dussen contributed an important 40 off 92 to help South Africa chase down 240 and win the second Test.

Temba Bavuma is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the series with 161 runs to his name in 2 Tests at an average of 80.50. With Quinton de Kock not playing Test Cricket anymore, expect Kyle Verreynne to don the wicket-keeping gloves.

All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Duanne Olivier and Kagiso Rabada

The team trusted in Marco Jansen’s all-round abilities and the South African young cricketer has lived up to all the expectations. He has bowled stellar spells with the ball thus far in the series. Marco Jansen picked 7 wickets with the ball in the last Test and would look to have a similar impact in the final Test.

Keshav Maharaj is likely to enjoy the conditions in Cape Town and one expects him to bowl a lot more overs than how much he bowled in the first two Tests. Olivier made a sensational comeback in Test Cricket in the second Test against India. He hit the hard lengths and picked wickets by bowling those effective back-of-a-length deliveries. Olivier picked 4 wickets in the last Test match.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi had a stellar outing in the first Test match against India. He picked 8 wickets but couldn’t replicate a similar performance in the second Test. Kagiso Rabada was the one who made a significant impact with the ball in the last Test. Ahead of the final Test of the series, both will hold key to South Africa’s fortune.