Proteas name 2 debutants and twin spinners as Bangladesh put them in to bat at Kingsmead

A new-look Proteas Test side has been tasked with batting first on Kingsmead surface that looks strangely brown after Bangladesh won the toss on Thursday morning.

South Africa, shorn of several stars due to IPL duty, have handed debuts to ace Lions left-hander Ryan Rickelton and bustling Titans seamer Lizaad Williams in a line-up with some intriguing permutations.

Wiaan Mulder's inclusion as an all-rounder means a wobbly batting order gets some fortification at No 7, while both front-line spinners - unusually in local conditions - in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have been enlisted.

LIVE | Proteas v Bangladesh, day 1

It's actually the first time ever that the two tweakers are playing alongside each other.

"I'm quite excited," Maharaj had said in the build-up. 

"Simon has been an exceptional performer in English county cricket and was a leading wicket-taker in the first-class competition. He deserves his opportunity.

As expected, Sarel Erwee and Keegan Petersen - both hometown players - will occupy crucial positions in the batting order and will be expected to utilise their knowledge to the hilt.

Bangladesh will be confident following their ODI series win and will be buoyed by SA's poor recent history at the ground - 2 wins from 10 - but are missing talismans in Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.

Teams:

Proteas - Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams, Duanne Olivier

Bangladesh - Mominul Haque, Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain