South Africa team arrives in Bangladesh for first tour in 9 years

The South African cricket team has touched down in Bangladesh ahead of a two-match Test series, marking their first tour since July 2015.

During their last visit, the Proteas faced the Tigers in two Tests, three one-day internationals and two T20Is. This tour, however, is exclusively for the Test format.

The visitors, led by Temba Bavuma, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday for the series, which is part of the ICC Test Championship.

However, Bavuma will miss the first Test due to an injury, with Aiden Markram stepping in as captain. The team is hopeful for Bavuma's return in the second Test.

To compensate for Bavuma's absence, Dewald Brevis has been drafted in to the squad while Nandre Burger lost his place to left-arm pacer Lungi Ngidi.

Historically, Bangladesh has struggled against South Africa, having not won any of their 14 encounters in the longest format, losing 12 of them.

The two matches in 2015 ended in draws, largely due to rain. The Tigers will be looking to flip the narrative this time around.

However, selectors have yet to finalise the squad for the series, while uncertainty lingers over star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's participation ahead of his final bow in international cricket.

The South African squad, while talented, lacks experience in key positions aside from Bavuma, Markram, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj, which could pose a challenge in local conditions and offer an opportunity for Bangladesh.

The series kicks off with the first Test in Mirpur on Oct 21, followed by the second Test in Chattogram on Oct 29.

South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (captain, second Test), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram (captain, first Test), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne