18th August (CRICKETNMORE) - New Zealand have never beaten South Africa in a Test series. Ever. Home or away. That’s the history facing Kane Williamson and his touring party, as they prepare for two Tests against the Proteas, starting at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.
Since the first series in 1931/32, both side’s have squared off in 14 series and New Zealand has just three draws to show for their efforts.
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The BLACKCAPS are entering the series in good form following their comprehensive 2-nil victory over Zimbabwe.
A two Test contest which ticked plenty of boxes for the skipper.
“It was a fantastic effort all around,” Williamson said.
“There was some really good things that we can take from that series and into this one. The way the seamers bowled was fantastic, our batsmen spent a lot of time in the middle and also the spinners came into it and showed their strengths.”
“So they’re all good things, but at the same time it will be a different opposition and different conditions so those learnings are positives but the approach will be different and so will the preparation.”
The line up could also be different, with coach Mike Hesson hinting at playing an extra seamer instead of a second spinner, if the conditions permit.
The team enjoyed a weekend to themselves in the coastal city of Durban ahead of three hard training’s in the lead up to Friday’s first Test.
Hopes are high for the tourists. South Africa will be without their talismanic captain AB de Villiers through injury and sit behind New Zealand on the ICC Test rankings in sixth.
However, the hosts have a very deep bowling battery to call on and history shows they will be no pushover.
Source - Blackcaps.co.nz