New Zealand enter unfamiliar territory when the first Test against South Africa begins in Christchurch on Thursday, without batting greats Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It has been 14 years since the hosts started a Test without either Taylor or Williamson -- their top two all-time Test run scorers respectively -- and they have the extra burden of trying to win a series against South Africa for the first time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Taylor retired last month and Williamson is injured, leaving the Black Caps without the pair's steadying influence against a dynamic Proteas pace attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa arrived on a high after completing a double of Test and one-day series wins at home against India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand coach Gary Stead admitted his team face a tough challenge in the two-Test series. "They're obviously a quality side, capable of beating India in South Africa," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They've got classy players throughout and while they lack some experience you certainly can't underestimate them."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand are also without pace spearhead Trent Boult, who is awaiting the birth of a child, with Matt Henry coming in as a replacement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Batsman Devon Conway and fast bowler Neil Wagner were both born and raised in South Africa and Stead said they would relish playing the Proteas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"From our perspective they're true-blue Kiwis now, even though they might have slight accents at times," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They're working hard for the 'Silver Fern' but I guess playing against South Africa will be exciting for them as well."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The inaugural World Test champions begin the series as favourites, lying second in the ICC Test rankings, with South Africa fifth. But they have never won a Test series against South Africa and have recorded only one home victory over the Proteas in 20 attempts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum said South Africa under captain Dean Elgar were "tough, gritty, they don't give you an inch".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think this will be a ripper series, I'm predicting it could be 1-1 but I actually have South Africa going in as slight favourites," he said. That's pretty hard considering how good New Zealand have been in the last little while."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elgar was wary of New Zealand's threat on a quick wicket at Christchurch's Hagley Oval but said the India series showed South Africa could cope with pace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With respect, New Zealand's attack are a little bit down on pace compared to the Indian attack," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n