NZ vs RSA Match Analysis

The South African cricket board had to send out a third-string makeshift test squad consisting of several uncapped players and a few others who couldn’t quite set things on fire in the international arena when they had the chance because the first-choice test players had decided not to participate in this tour to focus on the domestic T20 franchise tournament.

With almost no experience playing the hardest format of cricket at the highest level, it is to be seen what this young group of players can do to compete in their backyard against a well-established test side like New Zealand.

Even though South Africa is a legitimate underdog going into this series, New Zealand won’t be taking them lightly. With significant world test championship points up for grabs, the hosts showed no signs of weakness by fielding a strong, consistent squad.

NZ vs RSA Team Preview & Squads

New Zealand

New Zealand has demonstrated that they won’t take a chance by having all of the established players keep their spots in the squad. They have long yearned for a series victory—both at home and away—against an underperforming Proteas lineup, and the Kiwis will feel that this is their only chance.

The Kiwis don’t need any reminders as the first-ever World Test Champions about how crucial a test win is to their chances of making it to the championship. It’s a season of test upsets, so they’ll be cautious and try not to trip up along the way. West Indies, playing at a reduced strength, surprised Australia by winning their first game on Australian territory in almost thirty years, while England surprised India by winning unexpectedly in Hyderabad. Kiwis will be vigilant and ready to neutralize any harm that the tourists may bring. At home, they will primarily rely on the tried-and-true approach of attacking quickly with the all-rounder providing the lone spin option.

Rachin Ravindra will undoubtedly be included in his first test at home in two years now that Henry Nicholls is no longer with us. During the Bangladesh test series, Glenn Phillips demonstrated his skills with the ball, and he is predicted to replace Mitchell Santner as the starting all-rounder who bowls spin.

New Zealand Squads

New Zealand Squads

Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Devon Conway, Neil Wagner.

South Africa

The national test team will be captained by a debutant for the second time in the last 50 years of cricket. The 27-year-old Neil Brand, who has amassed over 4,000 runs in local cricket, leads the national squad after excelling in four-day matches with the South African A team. Former South Africa under-19 captain Raynard van Tonder, who averages more than 40 runs at bat in first-class cricket matches, is another formidable player in the mix. Despite being called up to the national team previously, this is his first tour to Sri Lanka after being included in the extended test squad.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Clyde Fortuin was a member of the 2014 under-19 World Cup-winning team that featured players like Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada. He isn’t quite in their league, but he is a decent glover and has so far averaged a little over 27 at bat in his first-class career. Daniel Piedt, an off-spinner, returned to the South African team four years after his last test match against India in Ranchi. In 2014, Piedt made his debut for the nation.

Dane Paterson, 34, is a talented seamer who has taken a ton of wickets in the first-class setup and will be an important part of their machine. While he doesn’t have the same scary pace as players like Anrich Nortje, Rabada, and others, he is skilled at getting the ball to move in and out of the seam and knows how to take advantage of the situation to give the Kiwi batsmen difficulties.

South Africa Squads

South Africa Squads

Neil Brand (c), Clyde Fortuin (wk), David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen, Zubayr Hamza, Dane Paterson, Ruan de Swardt, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Raynard van Tonder, Tshepo Moreki.

NZ vs RSA outfield report 

Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Bringing in a huge sum will discourage any resistance, especially with this SA team that is not at full strength. Thus, if the weather is conducive to batting, the Kiwis will probably bat first, lay the groundwork for a massive first-day total, and then capitalize on it on Day 2.

While New Zealand’s summer is coming to an end, there will likely be more sunshine throughout the test.

We may need to use spinners if we get there, especially on Days 4 and 5, as the pitch will deteriorate and begin to show cracks as the match progresses due to the dry, warm weather that lies ahead of us.

NZ vs RSA Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the last five matches, South Africa won two times and New Zealand won just one.

New Zealand vs South Africa Prediction

Winning the toss

• New Zealand

Player of the Match

• New Zealand – Rachin Ravindra

Most runs

• New Zealand – Rachin Ravindra
• South Africa – Clyde Fortuin

Most wickets

• New Zealand – Glenn Phillips
• South Africa – Dane Paterson

Most sixes

• New Zealand – Rachin Ravindra
• South Africa – Clyde Fortuin

Team Scores Batting First

• New Zealand – 300+
• South Africa – 250+

According to cricket analysts, New Zealand has a 52% chance to win.

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