Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said South Africa must be more ruthless when they face Bangladesh in the first Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The match opens a two-Test series. South Africa come into it after beating Australia 2-1 in their last Test series.
“That was what we really spoke about as the batters, as to how we can be a lot more ruthless,” Bavuma said, according to IOL. “Even from a bowling point of view, when we have the game by the scruff of its neck, how do we really bury the opposition and not give them a chance?”
Against Australia, the Proteas let strong positions slip and then had to fight back. IOL reported that this has been a pattern under coach Shukri Conrad.
Bavuma said the team had given opponents a way back into games many times over the past two to three years. He said winning those moments would take the side to the next level.
South Africa are halfway through the 2027 World Test Championship cycle. They have already played series against Pakistan, India and Australia.
Bavuma said his side will not take Bangladesh lightly. The visitors used to rely mostly on spin, but they now bring a real seam attack to the Highveld.
“We look at them with the utmost respect,” Bavuma said. He added that the Proteas had seen Bangladesh put batters under pressure when conditions suited them.
To get ready, the South African batters faced their own fast bowlers in the nets. “It’s never always pleasant facing our guys,” Bavuma said. He said the team had done the preparation it needed.
Bavuma also spoke about his own battle with right-arm off-spin. He expects a tough contest with Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
“I’ve had my struggles throughout my career when it comes to right-arm off-spin, whether it’s a technical thing or a mental thing, and that challenge will be there now with Mehidy,” he said.
The captain said the pitch looks like a traditional Wanderers wicket. He expects help for the fast bowlers early on. Later in the match, heat and a drier surface should bring the spinners into the game.
South Africa again picked off-spinner Simon Harmer as their only specialist spinner, ahead of Keshav Maharaj. Recalled seamer Dane Paterson was chosen over Corbin Bosch because he can pitch the ball up in Highveld conditions.
Zubayr Hamza returns to the Test side at number three. He has scored runs in all formats of domestic cricket.
“He’s a lot more aggressive and looks to take the game on, and that speaks to the conversations we have as a batting team,” Bavuma said of Hamza. He added that the Wanderers, where Hamza has made his home, is the best place for his return.
Bafana Bafana and the Springboks both had frustrating results on Friday night. Bavuma joked that friends told him it was now up to the Proteas to lift the national mood.
He said the team would try to do that by sticking to its processes when the first Test starts on Sunday.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.