South Africa host Zimbabwe in the first T20I to be played at Bloemfontein on October 8. 

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South Africa will be led by a new captain Johan Botha after Graeme Smith has opted out of the same in this format of the game, but they will still go in as sweeping favourites to win this game. Boylesports offers 1/8 for their win as compared to BetFred’s 11/2 for Zimbabwe to take a 1-0 lead.

Smith (3/1 at BetFred) may not be the captain but he will open the innings with Loots Bosman (7/2 at SkyBet). Smith goes into the series with an excellent century in the domestic four-day competition and will be confident of facing up to the inexperienced Zimbabwean bowlers. Colin Ingram (9/2 at BetFred) should also make his debut after a strong showing in the previous domestic season, while Alviro Petersen (25/1 at Boylesports) will look to ensure that his form in the Champions League T20 does not go waste.

Zimbabwe will be led by Elton Chigumbura (15/2 at Stan James), but will need their experienced, but out of form, Hamilton Masakadza (4/1 at Boylesports) to take on the bowling from the word go. Brendan Taylor (4/1 at Boylesports) has been one of Zimbabwe’s best players in the shorter format of the game and averages 33 and 32 in T20Is and ODIs.

However, the biggest news from the Zimbabwean stable comes in the form of the return of Grant Flower (5/1 at Boylesports), who had last played for side in 2004. Since then, he has played for Essex and been a prolific scorer for them. It remains to be seen how he adjusts to the international level, but being a batting coach for the side, it will help if he gets some runs under his belt.

Tips:
Favourites: South Africa (1/8 at Boylesports)
Top South Africa batsman: Graeme Smith (3/1 at BetFred)
Top Zimbabwe batsman: Brendan Taylor (4/1 at Boylesports)