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South Africa tour of New Zealand
Test Format
1st Test
New Zealand v South Africa
Hagley Oval
Christchurch, New Zealand
17-21 February 2022
South Africa will be looking to build on their recent series win over India when they take on New Zealand in the first of two
Tests in Christchurch on Thursday, February 17.
After losing the 1st Test by 113 runs, the Proteas beat India by seven wickets in both the 2nd and 3rd Tests to secure a come-from-behind victory.
Keegan Pietersen put on a match-winning display in the 3rd Test at Newlands, scoring 72 in the first innings and 82 in the second innings, while Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen picked up seven wickets each.
However, Pietersen has been ruled out of the tour to New Zealand after testing positive for COVID-19, with his place in the squad filled by Zubayr Hamza.
South Africa have never lost a Test series against the Black Caps and their last visit to the islands in the southwestern Pacific resulted in a 1-0 series win in 2017.
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Proteas captain Dean Elgar acknowledges the New Zealand bowlers are masters at ultilising their conditions, but feels they lack the raw pace possessed by the Indians.
"With respect, New Zealand's attack are a little bit down on pace compared to the Indian attack," Elgar said. "In saying that, they execute their skills perfectly in their conditions."
The Black Caps are aiming to snap a six-series losing streak against South Africa and they were unfortunate not to win the 3rd Test in Hamilton in 2017, which was drawn due to the fifth day being rained out.
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The hosts will be without skipper Kane Williamson, who has failed to recover from an elbow injury. Tom Latham is set to lead the team in his continued absence.
"He was desperate to be fit for the series but with the amount of loading required for Test cricket, we had to make the tough call for him to sit it out and focus on returning for the white-ball matches against Netherlands in March," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.
"Kane loves playing for the Black Caps - and especially in Test cricket - so it was a particularly hard call. However, the priority has to be trying to get the injury right and having him available long term."
Head-to-Head (Tests)
Matches - 45
New Zealand - 4
South Africa - 25
Draws - 16
Test Team Rankings
2 - New Zealand
5 - South Africa
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