1st Test, Australia tour of South Africa at Durban, Mar 1-5 2018
**
Form guide**
(last five matches, most recent first)
South Africa LWWWW
Australia WDWWW
Team news
South Africa are yet to decide on the balance of their side, with the possibility of Theunis de Bruyn, or Lungi Ngidi as an extra bowler. But Temba Bavuma, still struggling with a hand injury, is expected to sit out.
**South Africa (possible): **
1 Dean Elgar,
2 Aiden Markram,
3 Hashim Amla,
4 AB de Villiers,
5 Faf du Plessis (capt),
6 Quinton de Kock (wk),
7 Vernon Philander,
8 Keshav Maharaj,
9 Kagiso Rabada,
10 Morne Morkel,
11 Lungi Ngidi.
Steven Smith has confirmed Australia will use the same XI that won the final Ashes Test in Sydney, which means that of the touring squad, Peter Handscomb, Jon Holland, Jhye Richardson and Chadd Sayers will sit out.
**Australia: **
1 Cameron Bancroft,
2 David Warner,
3 Usman Khawaja,
4 Steven Smith (capt),
5 Shaun Marsh,
6 Mitchell Marsh,
7 Tim Paine (wk),
8 Mitchell Starc,
9 Pat Cummins,
10 Josh Hazlewood,
11 Nathan Lyon.
Pitch and conditions
The Kingsmead pitch can tend to be on the slower side, which could bring Lyon and Keshav Maharaj into the game. The weather for the first few days at least should be fine.
Source: cricinfo
