South Africa name four-pronged pace attack for Johannesburg Test

South Africa will field a four-man pace attack in the Johannesburg Test against Bangladesh, with the hosts announcing their playing XI a day before the match. 

Zubayr Hamza has also earned a recall, giving him an opportunity to play his first Test in almost two years.

The Test gets underway at 2 pm (BDST) on Sunday. 

South African captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the playing eleven at a press conference on Saturday.

David Bedingham and Gerald Coetzee have been left out of the side that featured in the recent Test series against Australia. 

Bedingham, who failed to deliver at No. 3, has made way for Hamza.

Hamza last represented South Africa in a Test during their tour of New Zealand in 2024. 

However, he forced his way back into contention with scores of 78 and 68 in the first innings against Bangladesh A in August, earning a return to the national side.

Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Hamza, Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder will shoulder the batting responsibilities, while current world No. 1 Test all-rounder Marco Jansen adds depth to the side.

Kagiso Rabada will lead the pace attack alongside Jansen, Mulder and Dane Paterson. 

Simon Harmer is the only specialist spinner in the XI, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj missing out.

Harmer made a telling impact in the Cape Town Test against Australia, claiming six wickets for just 16 runs.

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson