Proteas v New Zealand 1st Test: Likely lineups

New Zealand and South Africa are preparing to do battle in the first of two Tests in Christchurch on Thursday, 17 February.

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The first ball is due to be bowled at midnight on Wednesday (SA time).

While the fiercest rivalry in world rugby – the Springboks versus the All Blacks – isn’t mirrored on the cricket field, the two-Test series promises much intrigue.

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Both sides are severely depleted due to a combination of recent retirements, Covid-19 and paternity leave.

New Zealand are missing 273 Tests-worth of experience with the absence of Ross Taylor (retired), Kane Williamson (injured) and Trent Boult (paternity leave). 

Incredibly, the last time New Zealand were without both Taylor and Williamson was 14 years ago in January 2008 against Bangladesh. The Black Caps have played 117 Tests since.

Meanwhile, South Africa are without Keegan Petersen (Covid-19) and Anrich Nortje (injured) as well as recently retired star wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock.

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There are a number of sub-plots to the series.

South Africa have won 13 of the 16 series they’ve played against New Zealand, who have not emerged victorious on a single occasion to date. All told, New Zealand have only beaten South Africa four times in 45 Tests.

There is also a dark cloud of Proteas head coach Mark Boucher’s CSA disciplinary hearing hanging over the squad who are doing their best to ignore that fact.

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Lastly, this is the first time South African-born New Zealand batsman Devon Conway will play against his former countrymen. Conway is from Johannesburg and played for teams in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and will be familiar to many in the current South Africa squad.

TEAMS: NEW ZEALAND V SOUTH AFRICA

New Zealand (probable):

Tom Latham (captain), Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wkt), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry

South Africa (probable):

Dean Elgar (captain), Aiden Markram, Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi

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