South Africa's unbeaten Test series record against the Black Caps has been a focus for the visitors in their build-up to the first Test.
Having lost Ross Taylor through retirement and regular skipper Kane Williamson through injury, New Zealand will have their task cut out for them when they meet the Proteas in the opening match of the two-test series in Christchurch today.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
For the first time since 2008, New Zealand are without both Taylor and Williamson and with pace bowler Trent Boult away on paternity leave, the hosts face an uphill battle against the touring side under Dean Elgar.
South Africa have not lost a test series against New Zealand who were held to a 1-1 draw by a modest Bangladesh squad last month. Coming in off a 2-1 home test win over India, South Africa have plenty of confidence.
Latham's side need to make the most of another home series before they tour England and Pakistan, but South Africa are in strong form having beaten India 2-1 in their previous series at home.
New Zealanders have only managed to win four tests against South Africa in 45 meetings since 1932, but Latham refused to be bogged down by their poor record.
"For us that's not necessarily the focus. It's the process of actually how we get there and if we do play well then hopefully all that stuff takes care of itself," he said.
"South Africa are coming in off the back of a great series win against India not long ago so they'll certainly be a great side."
Johannesburg-born Devon Conway will bat at number three in his first match against the country of his birth.
Henry Nicholls will move up to number four with Daryl Mitchell, who will replace Taylor at first slip, at five.
Trent Boult is unavailable due to the birth of his third child Photo: Photosport
Matt Henry will replace Boult in New Zealand's four-pronged specialist pace attack at the Hagley Oval.
South Africa know the importance of beating New Zealand, currently the second-ranked test team, but Elgar warned against complacency.
"They've had success even with the guys not around, they've had success with the current players that they have and we know they're an extremely dangerous side in their conditions," Elgar told reporters on Wednesday.
Conway says playing against his country of birth will be an emotional time. The 30-year-old arrived in New Zealand five years ago from South Africa and still has a strong connection with the country and many of the Protea players he'll come up against the first test.
Devon Conway Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"It's going to be very exciting playing against some of my old team-mates and mates that I've played with in the past in South Africa," Conway said.
"It's going to be really cool to rub shoulders with them in the field again, so I'm looking forward to the challenges."
FACTBOX New Zealand v South Africa
Here is what you need to know about the first test between New Zealand and South Africa, which starts today.
* Hagley Oval, Christchurch
* Feb. 17-21, Play starts at 11:00 a.m.
* NEW ZEALAND (World ranking: 2) - Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young.
* SOUTH AFRICA (World ranking: 5) - Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Zubayr Hamza.
* Previous series in New Zealand
* Series: 8
* New Zealand wins: 0
* South Africa wins: 6
* Draws: 2
* Previous series all venues
* Series: 16
* New Zealand wins: 0
* South Africa wins: 13
* Draws: 3
* Second test, Feb. 25-March 1: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Reuters
