World champions South Africa face tough challenge against Pakistan in two-Test series

World champions South Africa face a stern spin challenge in Pakistan without two of their key players when both teams kickstart their next World Test Championship campaigns on Sunday.

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Proteas regular captain Temba Bavuma will miss the two-Test series because of a strained calf. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is only available for the second test because of a groin injury.

"We're going to miss Temba a lot, of course, he's our leader," South Africa captain Aiden Markram said Saturday.

"We don't need to give him any introductions. He's a batter firstly for us that has been doing incredibly well ... and then naturally the leadership as well. It is a big miss for us, but the other boys are pulling together and trying to get us off to a good start."

Bavuma led the Proteas to the WTC title at Lord's in a five-wicket victory over Australia in the final.

Maharaj's absence from the first test is "a big loss," Markram said.

Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy got a nod from Markram for the first Test after the spinner took four wickets against Zimbabwe in a Test match in July when South Africa rested all their key red-ball players.