AB de Villiers backs Bangladesh to 'put up a good fight' in South Africa

South Africa legend AB de Villiers believes Bangladesh can put up a strong fight on their upcoming Test tour of South Africa despite the demanding conditions they will encounter.

Bangladesh have made encouraging progress in Test cricket, highlighted by their historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin. Australia responded strongly in the second Test in Mackay, winning by an innings and 51 runs, but Bangladesh’s overall showing in the series should provide confidence ahead of their South Africa assignment.

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Bangladesh are scheduled to tour South Africa in November for two Test matches, three ODIs and three T20Is.

De Villiers expects Bangladesh to remain competitive, particularly in the Test series, although he acknowledged the difficulties posed by South African conditions.

“I think Bangladesh will put up a good fight in South Africa. It is one of the toughest places in the world to tour, especially for batters. The ball not only swings after pitching but also moves off the seam. Not many players are accustomed to these conditions, so handling them is really difficult,” De Villiers said in a podcast.

Drawing on his own experience of batting in such conditions, the former South Africa captain said batters need to be proactive rather than simply trying to survive.

Bangladesh have now won Test matches in Australia and New Zealand. South Africa and India are the only two teams that Bangladesh haven't yet won a Test match. But De Villiers believes Bangladesh can do well if the batters adapt well to the conditions.  

“Speaking from my own experience, I had a few strategies to deal with it. Sometimes I would come down the crease, sometimes I would cover my stumps completely, and at other times I would leave them exposed, depending on how I read the situation,” he said.

“In these kinds of seaming conditions, that is what you have to do. You cannot simply cover your stumps and try to survive all day. You have to be proactive,” he added.

The first Test will be played in Johannesburg from November 15 to 19, with the second scheduled for Centurion from November 23 to 27.