South Africa vs New Zealand 2017 Test series: 5 players to watch out for

#3 Kane Williamson

Williamson, the leader, needs a good series

Kane Williamson had a good ODI series but was far from his best as he struggled to take on Imran Tahir consistently. But Test cricket is a different ball game and there is no Tahir either. Williamson can make the difference between a decent total and a great one, a reason he is considered among the top batsmen in World Cricket today.

He will have his task cut out against a strong bowling line-up like South Africa's. Rabada had bowled beautifully to him in the ODIs and Philander and Morkel will add the experience angle. Williamson has shown that he can outmatch even the best and will be hoping to anchor the Black Caps batting.

His captaincy will also be under scrutiny, especially given the fact that South Africa have a flamboyant leader in Faf du Plessis with whom he will be compared in all nooks and corners of the country.