South Africa will start a new phase under a new head coach, Mark Boucher. The home team named a revamped squad for the England Tests and will hope to get over the tough tour of India, where they were whitewashed in the three-match Test series. Faf du Plessis remains to be South Africa’s Test captain.

For England, the comebacks of James Anderson and Mark Word is a big boost but several players had to sit out at one point on the tour due to fitness issues. Expect a couple of players to be deemed unfit and ineligible for selection due to fitness issues. Ben Stokes has joined the squad and will play the opening Test.

Conditions –

It will be a flat wicket at SuperSport Park in Centurion and there will be not much on offer for the bowlers. Rain can play a part in the Test match.

Here is the likely playing XI of both the teams –

South Africa –

Since it’s a revamped squad, there will be a number of changes in the playing XI from the previous Test. Rassie van der Dussen has been confirmed to make his Test debut. Despite not being a part of the Test squad, he stayed in India after the T20I series and a Test call-up was around the corner for him.

Probable playing XI: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje

England –

Their playing XI will likely depend on the fitness of the players. It isn’t known whether every player is fit. Hence, determining their playing XI is a tough job.

Likely playing XI: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Dom Bess, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad

My Dream11 team for SA vs ENG 1st Test –

Quinton de Kock, Jos Buttler (Vice-Captain), Faf du Plessis (Captain), Joe Root, Dean Elgar, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer