The Proteas will be brimming with confidence after the way they swept aside Bangladesh. They should have too much quality for the visiting Sri Lankans.
South Africa’s series win over Bangladesh saw the Proteas (2.10) playing with renewed spark. They had struggled to find their best form for some years, but Kagiso Rabada is on top of his game and the jitters of years gone by appear to be behind them.
It is a perfect time for them to host Sri Lanka for two tests in November and December. Sri Lanka will be no pushovers, but the Proteas are likely to clinch the win in this series.
The first test (27 November – 1 December) will take place at Kingsmead in Durban after South Africa’s T20 series with India. Thereafter, the teams will face off again at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha. Online sports betting enthusiasts will be keeping an eye on one bowler in particular who can swing the series.
Kagiso Rabada’s Fine Form
Kagiso Rabada, underrated for much of his Proteas career, recently achieved two important milestones. He became the fastest bowler in the history of test cricket to the milestone of 300 wickets. Additionally, he became the top-ranked test cricket bowler in the world according to the ICC rankings.
South Africa does not play test cricket often enough for a player of his quality to get the action he deserves. Rabada will therefore be raring to go and claim more scalps in the series against Sri Lanka.
Rabada has taken 26 wickets in only five test matches in 2024 at a breathtaking average of 14.65. Aged 29 years old, he is now in his prime and living up to the standards set by the likes of Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini.
Indeed, Rabada may well end up surpassing them to become the greatest-ever Proteas bowler.
Proteas Looking To Repeat History
The last time Sri Lanka toured South Africa, the Proteas comfortably won the test series 2-0.
At the time, South Africa was coming off the back of three straight series defeats. It is telling that they were able to finish the job than when they were not in form.
Although Sri Lanka is a capable side, it is unlikely that they will be able to upset the Proteas in South Africa while the hosts are in form.
