Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar (R) and Aiden Markram (C) watch as Wiaan Mulder (L) of South Africa takes the catch to dismiss Joshua de Silva of West Indies during day 1 of the 1st Test between South Africa and West Indies at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, on June 10, 2021. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand vs South Africa: First Test LIVE scores and updates

New Zealand host South Africa in the first of two Tests at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch with play set to get underway at midnight SAST.

Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar (R) and Aiden Markram (C) watch as Wiaan Mulder (L) of South Africa takes the catch to dismiss Joshua de Silva of West Indies during day 1 of the 1st Test between South Africa and West Indies at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, on June 10, 2021. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand host South Africa in the first of two Tests at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch with play set to get underway at midnight SAST.

New Zealand have to start the first Test as favourites despite history being against them.

South Africa have never lost a Test series to New Zealand and have only been beaten in one match in the ultimate format in Aotearoa.

New Zealand vs South Africa – Live scores

New Zealand will be without skipper and star batsman Kane Williamson with Tom Latham leading the side in his stead.

Left-arm quick Trent Boult will not take part in the series opener as he will be with his family for the birth of his child.

Batter Devon Conway will face the land of his birth in a Test match for the first time in a clash that will draw interest.

Uncapped pair Blair Tickner and Cam Fletcher have been included in the squad for the two-match series.

The Proteas are set to test their apparent resurgence in Test cricket against the World Champions.

Dean Elgar’s first series in charge ended with a 2-1 win over India, but New Zealand away from home is a totally different prospect.

South Africa lost man of the series against India Keegan Petersen to COVID-19 before they departed. Elgar indicated that either his squad replacement Zubayr Hamza or Hollywoodbets Dolphins batter Sarel Erwee will take Petersen’s place in the XI.

“We have a clear indication of what our balance is going to be even though we haven’t finalised our team yet,” said Elgar.

“Whether to employ a frontline spinner is a hot topic debate for us. It’s one of our bigger decisions, whether there’s space for one in conditions that aren’t necessarily helpful.

“History has shown that the spinners don’t play too much of a role at the Hagley Oval. So yeah, I can’t say yes or no just yet. Maybe wait and see what happens at the toss.”

The tourists will rely on their fast bowlers adapting to the conditions as quickly as possible to ensure they are competitive.