SA vs SL Match Prediction- 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2024

South Africa will be looking for more World Test Championship points as they take on Sri Lanka at St George’s Park in the second Test.

The hosts head into the game with all the momentum after crushing the visitors by 233 runs in the opener in Durban. That win not only helped South Africa to second place in the WTC standings but also made Sri Lanka look vulnerable at the top.

Marco Jansen’s best match figures of 11/86 at Kingsmead proved decisive, while the Sri Lankan collapse to 42 all out in the first innings defined the contest.

Also read: SA vs SL Match Preview- 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa 2024

SA vs SL Team Analysis

South Africa

Temba Bavuma will captain the South African team in the upcoming match, and it will be up to him to set the tone and lead by example

Sri Lanka

SA vs SL Key Factors

Pitch Conditions

The second Test at St George’s Park promises fine weather, partly cloudy, and highs of 23–26°C.

Low bounce on the pitch helps subcontinental batters, and early swing can help pacers, though spinners might dominate the show later in the game.

Form and Fitness

All the players in both squads are fit and available for the upcoming first test between the SA vs SL Tests.

Tactical Acumen

South Africa

South Africa will look to build on their clinical 233-run win in Durban, where Marco Jansen’s 11-wicket haul and Temba Bavuma’s captaincy ensured a dominant start.

Their strategy at St. George’s Park will likely revolve around maximizing their pace attack’s effectiveness on a surface that offers swing early on.

Kagiso Rabada and likely debutant Kwena Maphaka will be key with the new ball, while Jansen’s form provides a dependable strike weapon.

The hosts may rely on spinners like Keshav Maharaj to exploit conditions if the pitch deteriorates later in the match.

South Africa must, however, address their erratic fielding and Rabada’s high no-ball count, as such lapses could prove costly.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will look to recover from their batting collapse in the first innings of the Durban Test, where they were skittled for 42 in 78 minutes.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva will need top-order stability and consistent partnerships. Chandimal’s resilience in the second innings and Mendis breaking his duck are positives they must carry forward.

Their bowling attack, led by Vishwa Fernando, must focus on exploiting South Africa’s batting under pressure, particularly in the middle order. To compete, Sri Lanka will need a disciplined start with the ball and greater patience from their batters on a challenging surface.