Shukri Conrad insists the batting slot at three has not become a revolving door. On 12 November, with the opening Bangladesh Test three days away, the coach explained a decision to drop David Bedingham after three matches in the role. The record tells a messier story, with several batters tried since 2024 and Bedingham gone after five innings. The choice now lies with Tony de Zorzi or Zubayr Hamza, and the short ball may settle it for good.
Conrad Rejects the Revolving Door Tag
Conrad conceded that a handful of players have occupied the position, Bedingham being the most recent, yet he refused to let the label stick. He flatly denied the image and rejected the notion that batters receive a couple of opportunities before being shown the exit.
His stated aim is a settled top seven for the Bangladesh series and for the England series that follows it. That is a reasonable target for any head coach, but the pattern of recent selections shows how far the team still is from reaching it.
The Names Tried at Three
Nobody has published a complete list, and the totals conflict: one tally puts the number at five players who have occupied the position, while another makes Hamza the seventh. For that reason, the table below carries only numbers that exist in print. Wiaan Mulder scored 367 not out in the slot against Zimbabwe in July 2025, which was only his seventh innings there. Tristan Stubbs got the berth in August 2024, then slipped down the order.
De Zorzi has batted there seven times, collecting 145 runs at an average of 20.71 with a single half-century. Bedingham took the role for the first time against Australia, scoring 11, 50, 0, 49 and then 46, a total of 156 at 31.20. He threw away his wicket at moments when the innings needed him to stay, and that habit counted against him.
Batter | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest score |
Wiaan Mulder | 7 | 552 | 92.00 | 367* |
Tristan Stubbs | 13 | 458 | 38.16 | 122 |
Tony de Zorzi | 7 | 145 | 20.71 | 62 |
David Bedingham | 5 | 156 | 31.20 | 50 |
Two Candidates for the Vacancy
At 31, Hamza has eight Tests behind him, the final one on the 2024 trip to New Zealand, and he averages 19.18 at that level. His record at three in first-class cricket is far better, at 47.88 including 12 hundreds, and on pure pedigree he leads the argument. Conrad describes him as a natural number three, and Hamza supported the claim this year with a pair of scores, 78 and 68, in matches between South Africa A and Bangladesh A.
De Zorzi bats left-handed and has scored 919 runs from 17 Tests at 30.63. He has done his best work opening the innings or batting at four, which makes three an awkward fit. His seven innings in the slot, at 20.71, support that view.
Settling the South Africa No. 3 Test Position
Nothing has been decided. The 15-man squad is known, but the final XI stays private until Sunday 15 November, when the coin goes up. Conrad has said he will choose one of the two, and Hamza looks the likelier pick.
The real examination is the short ball. Bedingham earned his place for his handling of it and lost the place after it dismissed him, and Conrad expects both Bangladesh and, later, England to pepper the top order with it. Whoever walks out at three will meet that plan from the first session. Both men will begin knowing that one failure could end the chance quickly, whatever Conrad says in public.
Bangladesh Pace Attack Awaits
Bangladesh have named five fast bowlers: Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed. It is arguably their strongest pace group, and the Wanderers pitch should favour the seamers. A new number three will see movement early. That attack seems built to test any new man in the order.
Bangladesh’s results against batters of either hand in South African conditions have not been broken down anywhere, so neither de Zorzi nor Hamza carries a documented advantage from the side he bats on. The decision comes down to technique against pace, and the answer will shape how the South Africa No. 3 Test position looks once this series ends.
Should South Africa trust Hamza’s first-class record over de Zorzi’s recent form? Tell us your pick in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who will bat at number three for South Africa against Bangladesh?
It is not confirmed yet. Either de Zorzi or Hamza gets the job, as chosen by Conrad, and the lineup becomes public when the toss takes place on 15 November.
What led to Bedingham losing his place in the side?
He scored a single half-century in five innings against Australia. He also threw away his wicket at key moments, and the short ball got him out.
How long ago did Zubayr Hamza last appear in a Test?
His most recent Test was in February 2024, during the New Zealand tour. It was his eighth cap, and his average in the format stands at 19.18.
Which South African hit the most recent Test hundred at three?
Wiaan Mulder holds that distinction, going by confirmed records. His unbeaten 367 was made in July 2025 against Zimbabwe, in only his seventh innings at three.
Does Tony de Zorzi suit the number three role better than opening?
He is mainly an opener or a number four. Across seven innings in the slot under Conrad, he has averaged 20.71 and reached fifty once.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.