DHAKA, Aug 25, 2026 (BSS) - Former South African great AB de Villiers believes 
Bangladesh are able to put up a good fight in their upcoming tour in South 
Africa (SA) after a landmark series draw against Australia.

Coming to tour in Australia after 23 years and only for their second visit 
Down Under, Bangladesh demonstrated a strong performance to earn the respect 
they were yearning for.

The Tigers won the first Test in Darwin after dominating the hosts Australia 
thoroughly to stand on the brink of a stunning series victory. That was not 
to be as they saw the other side of the coin when they were demolished for 
innings and 51-run margin defeat in Mackay in the second Test inside two 
days.

Bangladesh were dismissed twice below 100 in that Test but that couldn't take 
the gloss off the performance they showed in the Australia tour.

Despite the batters' struggle in Mackay, de Villiers is keen to bet on 
Bangladesh whose fast bowlers demonstrated the expertise to give the 
Australia batters torrid time.

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

"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," de 
Villiers said in a podcast.

"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."

The former South Africa captain, dubbed as Mr. 360 degree for his innovative 
batting gave Bangladesh batters some tips, saying that they need to be 
proactive rather than simply trying to survive.

 "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.

South Africa and India still remain the two teams, against whom Bangladesh 
are yet to win any Test.

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