South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test Series - Squad and Key Players for South Africa

Updated At: 2025/01/23

After hosting team India for the shortest format in cricket, the Proteas are all set to host Sri Lanka for a 2-match Test. The first Test fixture will begin on 27th November at the Kingsmead Stadium. Check out the match prediction for the first fixture of the Test series.

The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle and that makes it crucial for both teams. Both teams will be eager to change their position in the WTC point table.

South Africa is currently at the 5th spot in the World Test Championship point table with 4 wins and 3 losses. Considering their recent outcomes, the hosts still have a good chance of reaching the finals of the WTC. South Africa needs to win 4 Tests in total two against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan to cement their place at Lord’s for the final game.

Sri Lanka is at a very crucial point in the World Test Championship. They are at the 3rd spot with 5 wins and 4 losses. They have solid chances to reach the finals of WTC and hence a series win might bring good news for the team. The best betting apps in India will have the odds for the first fixture between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

The hosts recently concluded a 2-match Test series against Bangladesh. They dominated the series and the whole team played a valuable part in both fixtures. Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs were the leading scorers and Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj were the leading wicket-takers for the team.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test Series - Head-to-Head

South Africa	Matches (31)	Sri Lanka
16	Won	9
9	Lost	16
6	Drawn	6
0	Tied	0
13	Home Won	6
3	Away Won	3
0	Neutral Won	0
246.5	Average Runs	247
621	Maximum Runs	613
80	Minimum Runs	77

South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test Series - South Africa Squad

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne

South Africa’s regular skipper Temba Bavuma is making a comeback to the team after recovering from his elbow injury. He has done a good job with the team in the red-ball format and his return will only add positivity to the remaining of the team.

Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee are also making a return to the longest format of cricket. The duo were part of the T20 international series held against team India recently.

One thing that the South African selectors have done with the team is that they have named Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson in the team. That makes 4 pacers in the team and it will give the hosts a major depth with their pace attack.

On the spin attack, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy will be the two bowlers. Keshav Maharaj will play a key role for the team during the middle overs with his spin variations.

Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder will form the deadly batting lineup for the Proteas. The approach of the hosts is expected to be aggressive from day 1.

Probable Playing XI for South Africa

Temba Bavuma (capt), Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham

South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test Series - Key Players for South Africa

1) Kagiso Rabada

With the return of Kagiso Rabada to the team, South Africa’s pace unit will definitely get the much-required boost in the pace unit. He is the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in the 5-day format in 2024. Rabada was also the leading wicket-taker against Bangladesh in the recently held Test series.

Test Stats - 2024	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Kagiso Rabada	5	26	14.65	3.05

Vs Sri Lanka	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Kagiso Rabada	7	35	21.51	3.70

2) Keshav Maharaj

The strength of South Africa is in their bowling unit. Their 2nd preferred bowler will be the spinner Keshav Maharaj. He is the 2nd highest wicket-taker in the Test format in 2024. Keshav Maharaj is an experienced player who can turn things around for the team in any situation.

Test Stats - 2024	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Keshav Maharaj	5	26	17.84	2.73

Vs Sri Lanka	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Keshav Maharaj	8	27	31	3.45