South Africa batsman AB De Villiers says the Wanderers pitch will favour swing bowling for Thursday’s first Test and Australia’s openers will face a torrid start if Ricky Ponting wins the toss and bats.

De Villiers, whose 106 not out in Perth guided South Africa to 4-414 for a six-wicket win in the first Test in December, says he’s hoping Proteas captain Graeme Smith can call correctly and the home side bats first.

De Villiers, who has played 49 consecutive Tests since his debut in 2004, says as a batsman he likes his team to get out there on day one and put some runs on the board and make a positive start.

“But I definitely won’t mind seeing Australia bat and having Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel running in on the first morning,” he said on Tuesday.

“It’s going to favour any bowler who can swing the ball.”

The warning from De Villiers heaps further pressure on Australia’s 20-year-old debutant opener Phil Hughes, who will have to quickly master the art of leaving the ball outside his off-stump at Test level.

Australia selector-on-duty David Boon says the tourists have to decide between Doug Bollinger or Ben Hilfenhaus as the third pace option behind Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.

But the big question is whether Victorian leg-spinner Bryce McGain will be chosen for his Test debut, despite his 2-126 from 19 overs in a mixed performance in last week’s tour match against South Africa President’s XI in Potchefstroom.

“That’s a tough question. I don’t know,” De Villiers said when asked if Australia would play a specialist spinner.

Another option would be to play batsman and off-spinner Marcus North at No.6 and medium-pacer Andrew McDonald as another all-rounder at No.7, or play four quicks.

“It’s his (Ponting’s) decision,” De Villiers continued.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll be playing a spinner (Paul Harris).

“So we’ll see what he’s going to do, I dunno. It depends what kind of form his spinner is in and that’s totally up to him.

“The Wanderers is always a good Test wicket. It will definitely move around on the first day, maybe for two days even.”

De Villiers said the pitch may offer some turn on day five, adding that it was always a positive move to bat first and get runs on the board.

AAP gab/tb

© AAP 2012

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