South Africa unveil playing XI for Bangladesh opener; Hamza, Paterson replace Bedingham, Coetzee
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newspoint|14-11-2026
South Africa have announced their Playing XI for the opening Test against Bangladesh, bringing back Zubayr Hamza and Dane Paterson as they look to build on their impressive recent performances in the longest format. The first of the two-match series begins on Sunday at the Wanderers Stadium, with the Proteas making two changes to the side that defeated Australia in the third Test of their recently concluded series.
Hamza has been preferred over Tony de Zorzi for the crucial No. 3 position, while experienced fast bowler Paterson returns to strengthen the pace attack. The changes also see David Bedingham and Gerald Coetzee miss out, with the latter having featured in the previous Test against Australia as a replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje.
Zubayr Hamza gets nod at No. 3, Paterson returns to pace attack
Hamza is set to play his first Test match since February 2024, having earned his place after impressing in domestic cricket. The Wanderers-based batter has been entrusted with the responsibility of stabilising South Africa's middle order at No. 3, a position that has seen several players come and go under head coach Shukri Conrad.
Bedingham was the most recent batter to occupy the spot but managed only one half-century across five innings against Australia, resulting in his exclusion from the playing XI.
De Zorzi, despite having greater experience in Test cricket, has also missed out. The left-handed batter has enjoyed most of his success as an opener or at No. 4, but those positions are already occupied.
Paterson, meanwhile, makes his return to the Test side after last featuring in December 2024. The right-arm pacer will share the fast-bowling responsibilities with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder.
Coetzee, who replaced the injured Nortje in the third Test against Australia, has been left out. Nortje also remains unavailable for the opening encounter as he continues to recover from a groin injury, although he could come into contention for the second Test.
Harmer retains specialist spinner's spotSouth Africa have retained off-spinner Simon Harmer as their specialist spinner, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj missing out on selection.
Harmer strengthened his position with a match haul of 10 wickets in South Africa's victory in the Cape Town Test against Australia, earning the selectors' confidence for the Bangladesh assignment.
In the batting department, Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman will continue as the opening pair, followed by Hamza at No. 3. Captain Temba Bavuma will bat at No. 4, with Matthew Breetzke occupying the next position.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton will continue at No. 6 after being moved down the order during the Australia series, followed by all-rounders Mulder and Jansen.
South Africa will look to carry their momentum into the Bangladesh series as they aim to maintain their strong position in the World Test Championship cycle.
South Africa's Playing XI for 1st Test against Bangladesh
Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Hamza has been preferred over Tony de Zorzi for the crucial No. 3 position, while experienced fast bowler Paterson returns to strengthen the pace attack. The changes also see David Bedingham and Gerald Coetzee miss out, with the latter having featured in the previous Test against Australia as a replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje.
Zubayr Hamza gets nod at No. 3, Paterson returns to pace attack
Hamza is set to play his first Test match since February 2024, having earned his place after impressing in domestic cricket. The Wanderers-based batter has been entrusted with the responsibility of stabilising South Africa's middle order at No. 3, a position that has seen several players come and go under head coach Shukri Conrad.
Bedingham was the most recent batter to occupy the spot but managed only one half-century across five innings against Australia, resulting in his exclusion from the playing XI.
De Zorzi, despite having greater experience in Test cricket, has also missed out. The left-handed batter has enjoyed most of his success as an opener or at No. 4, but those positions are already occupied.
Paterson, meanwhile, makes his return to the Test side after last featuring in December 2024. The right-arm pacer will share the fast-bowling responsibilities with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder.
Coetzee, who replaced the injured Nortje in the third Test against Australia, has been left out. Nortje also remains unavailable for the opening encounter as he continues to recover from a groin injury, although he could come into contention for the second Test.
Harmer retains specialist spinner's spotSouth Africa have retained off-spinner Simon Harmer as their specialist spinner, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj missing out on selection.
Harmer strengthened his position with a match haul of 10 wickets in South Africa's victory in the Cape Town Test against Australia, earning the selectors' confidence for the Bangladesh assignment.
In the batting department, Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman will continue as the opening pair, followed by Hamza at No. 3. Captain Temba Bavuma will bat at No. 4, with Matthew Breetzke occupying the next position.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton will continue at No. 6 after being moved down the order during the Australia series, followed by all-rounders Mulder and Jansen.
South Africa will look to carry their momentum into the Bangladesh series as they aim to maintain their strong position in the World Test Championship cycle.
South Africa's Playing XI for 1st Test against Bangladesh
Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
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