South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test, 2024: Preview and Predictions

Can the Lankans stop the Proteas away from home?

The Proteas are set to host Sri Lanka in a short red-ball series with both teams coming into the series off different results. South Africa were recently beaten comprehensively by India in the T20I series while Sri Lanka got the better of New Zealand at home in an ODI series. 

Shifting to the game’s longest format, here’s our match preview and predictions for the first Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2024 | 13:00 IST, November 27

Temba Bavuma is back at the helm to lead the Proteas and he has an exciting batting lineup which includes the likes of Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi. Wiaan Mulder and Gerald Coetzee will be once again crucial with the bat and ball while Kagiso Rabada leads the bowling attack which includes Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and we might even get to see the left-arm spin of Senuran Muthusamy at some point in the series. 

The visitors meanwhile have Dhananjaya de Silva leading them with an experienced batting lineup which includes the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, and Pathum Nissanka. Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha will be key for Sri Lanka on fast and bouncy wickets while de Silva and Prabath Jayasuriya will be the lead spinners.

At the Kingsmead in Durban, the batters should be looking forward to the encounter as it is a high scoring ground. The pacers should be in play in the opening couple of days with the spinners expected to come into play late in the Test. The hosts will have the home advantage and we expect Bavuma’s boys to take the lead in Durban.

Fantasy XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs,Tony de Zorzi, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wiaan Mulder, Angelo Mathews, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Prabath Jayasuriya

Venue: Durban

Winners Prediction: South Africa