Bangladesh collapsed to 34 for five as the home seamers got exaggerated bounce out of the surface and caught the edge with regularity.
Skipper Graeme Smith thinks South Africa's Test series win in Australia four years ago was a key step on their rise to the number one ranking and another good showing over the next month could be just as important.
'His experience is immense. In our batting chat today (Friday), we basically listened to him. He gave the batting chat as to what the conditions are like, what to expect.'
South Africa's pace duo Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the World Cup because of injuries, Cricket South Africa confirmed on Thursday.
'There is not much we can do as players, but there is that disparity in the number of games. We have to find a way mentally to meet the challenge.'
'We didn't bat well in both innings, that's why we stand here.'
How India's players rated in the South Africa Test series.
'It's a nice feeling to hear 'Ram Siya Ram' in the background'
The South Africa series in that context is the last big international T20 series that India play followed by one against Afghanistan in mid-January.
Indian team will certainly feel a sense of deja vu when it takes on a red-hot South Africa on Sunday in what will be a battle of equals
South Africa's bowlers chipped away at the wickets to stay on course for a huge victory against New Zealand.
'As long as the guys understand the way that we want to try play as a team and can keep that close to them when playing in different leagues and tournaments. Then hopefully by the time we meet up for the World Cup, the guys are used to that brand and how we want to operate as a team.'
In the current scenario, form in the IPL will carry a lot of weight for selection in the Indian team bound for USA and Caribbean.
Australian team will be aiming to put up a much better batting performance with a rejigged playing eleven against an upbeat South Africa
India started well as opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 79 from 84 balls and former captain Virat Kohli 51 from 63, but when they were dismissed the touring side struggled to keep up with the required run-rate and finished on 265 for eight.
South Africa continued their rampaging form in World Cup 2023 as they thrashed Bangladesh by 149 runs to jump to second place.
Disillusioned with the 'politics' in South African cricket administration, Brian McMillan decided to stay away from the game.
Vernon Philander took five wickets as South Africa closed in on victory having reduced West Indies to 76 for two in their follow-on innings at the close of play on day three of the opening Test on Friday.
The three-Test South Africa series is the first of a gruelling 2018-19 season that includes tours to England and Australia.
South Africa were in early trouble, after a brief rain delay at the start of play, when Aiden Markham went without scoring in the second over of the day.
Images from Day 3 in the first Test between South Africa and India, at SuperSports Park, Centurion, on Thursday.
With nothing to lose on the eve of his final international outing, Dean Elgar didn't hold back while expressing his disgust about Cricket South Africa sending a third-string squad to New Zealand under an uncapped captain just because the series is coinciding with the cash-rich SA20.
England have been largely rusty and inconsistent despite having a dangerous squad on paper.
Jasprit Bumrah took 6/61 as India crushed South Africa by seven wickets to level the two-match series 1-1.
'It turned out to be a special day. I have never thought about taking five wickets. I just wanted the team to win which is more important.'
Images from the ICC World Cup match between Afghanistan vs South Africa, in Ahmedabad, on Friday.
South Africa have rested batter Temba Bavuma for their home white-ball series against India this month after a poor Cricket World Cup, but he will captain the team in the two-Test series which starts on Dec. 26.
Suryakumar Yadav slammed a century while Kuldeep Yadav claimed five wickets as India crushed South Africa by 106 runs to level the three-match T20I series 1-1.
Sri Lanka will arrive in South Africa on Saturday, with the first Test in Pretoria starting on Boxing Day. The second will be in Johannesburg from January 3.
This was the third time India were involved in a two-day Test.
Quinton de Kock smashed 174 off 140 balls, his third century in five innings, to power South Africa to a 149-run victory against Bangladesh.
South Africa have an aching relationship with World Cup semi-finals, dating back to 1992. AB de Villiers had a close encounter with heartbreak in 2015. Now, he is hopeful that the current team will finally absolve his country of all the past pain.
India's 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday consolidated their position at the No 2 spot behind leaders Australia in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
The Netherlands caused the World Cup's second major upset in three days, as it shocked an in-form South Africa by 38 runs.
Afghanistan wrapped up their best ever World Cup campaign with four wins and also sealed a place in the Champions Trophy.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the second and final Test against South Africa?
The Proteas finished second in Group 1, behind defending champions Australia who won all their four matches.
West Indies tour of South Africa hit a new low on Wednesday when they were bundled out for 122 in under 34 overs to lose the third one-day international by nine wickets at Buffalo Park.
The batters could be in for some challenging times with the Supersport Park track expected to aid the fast bowlers as rain threat looms large over the opening Test between India and South Africa, curator Bryan Bloy said on Saturday.
Misfiring Indian bowlers in focus as India seek series-levelling win over SA in third T20I
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