South Africa and Sri Lanka are set to battle it out in the first match of a two-Test series at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday, as both teams strive to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final. A victory for either side is crucial to maintain their path to Lord’s in June.

If South Africa manages to win both Tests and follow up with consecutive wins against Pakistan in home games over the festive season, they will be guaranteed a place in the final. However, securing three out of the four matches might also suffice. South Africa has played fewer fixtures in this WTC cycle than any other team, with only eight matches to date, significantly less than England’s 19. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has played one more match.

South Africa’s chances of contention are remarkable, especially after they essentially forfeited a series in New Zealand this year by sending a second-string side due to a clash with their domestic SA20 competition. Captain Temba Bavuma expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “There's lots of excitement. Obviously, as a group, starting the WTC cycle, that's (a final place) one of the things that we spoke about in terms of what we'd like to achieve.”

Despite their fragile batting, South Africa boasts a potent and experienced bowling attack that has recently carried the team. Bavuma acknowledged the team’s improved performance, saying, “We've been putting in some good performances, so from a confidence, belief point of view, it's been good to see. As a team, we'll ride that for as long as it lives within us.”

Sri Lanka still has a chance to reach the final but must secure victories in three of their four remaining Tests—two in South Africa and two at home against Australia early next year. Middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis has made an impressive start to his Test career, averaging 91.27 from his first 13 innings with five hundreds and four fifties.

The quicker, bouncier tracks in South Africa will present a different challenge for Sri Lanka. They stunned their hosts with a 2-0 series win in South Africa in 2019, but their last visit in the 2020-21 season resulted in two comprehensive defeats. South Africa has won 13 of 17 home Tests against Sri Lanka, with three losses. However, in three previous meetings in Durban, Sri Lanka has two wins and a draw, remaining undefeated.

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