South Africa vs New Zealand 2016: Test 1 preview

South Africa will return to Test cricket after a 7-month hiatus when they face New Zealand in the first Test at Kingsmead on Friday. The series will also mark the return of the fast bowling duo of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

When Steyn and Philander last shared the new ball against India in Mohali last year, South Africa were at the top of the ICC rankings but a 3-0 drubbing against them and a subsequent home series loss to England saw the Proteas slide to 7th position, two places behind New Zealand. The Proteas will be eager to change their fortunes in the two-match Test series against the Kiwis and look to climb up the ladder.

Steyn sustained an injury while playing the 1st Test against India which kept him out of the remainder of the series. He played only one Test against England before suffering a shoulder injury, which again ruled him out for the series. Philander, on the other hand, missed South Africa's last 7 tests due to an ankle injury which he sustained during the 2nd Test against India last year.

Kagiso Rabada bowled a dream spell in the last Test he played at Kingsmead and picked up 13 wickets. He will have fond memories of the match and will try to replicate the performance in the 1st test against New Zealand.

With Morne Morkel ruled out of the series due to injury, the Proteas will be heavily relying on the services of Rabada after the youngster’s consistent performance in the recent past.

The pitch might be on the slower side than normal, as South Africa is hosting a Test series in August for the very first time, about 2 months earlier than usual.

Kane Williamson with the trophy after New Zealand won the Test series against Zimbabwe

While the Proteas have gone backwards in the ICC rankings. The New Zealand team has been very impressive in the recent past. In their last tour to South Africa, they were bowled out for 45 in the first Test and subsequently lost both the Test by an innings.

After the loss against South Africa, the Kiwis lost a Test series in England in late 2013, but have lost only 2 out of their last 11 Test series.

Brendon McCullum’s retirement meant that the captaincy baton was passed on to Kane Williamson and he led the side to a comfortable 2-0 victory against African minnows, Zimbabwe. Though the Kiwis will face a much tougher challenge against the Proteas, the confidence gained in the series against Zimbabwe will be an added advantage for the Kiwis. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham were formidable at the top and Ross Taylor was a guiding force in the middle order.

The team management will have to decide whether to play 2 spinners to back up the pace bowling trio of Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, and Trent Boult.

It will be the battle between two inexperienced captains with both Du Plessis and Kane Williamson captaining their respective nations only twice before.

Teams South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Dean Elgar, Stephen Cook, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada. New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Matt Henry, Luke Ronchi (wk), Jeet Raval.

History (head to head in Tests): Played: 39, South Africa: 22, New Zealand: 4, Draw: 13

In South Africa: Played: Played: 23, South Africa: 16, New Zealand: 3, Draw: 4