On Wednesday the Proteas dropped down to 7th place on the International Cricket Councils rankings for Test teams, two spots lower than the Black Caps.

The Kiwis have never been higher than South Africa before and will enter the Test feeling confident after thrashing Zimbabwe in their two-test series in Bulawayo.

It is confirmed that both Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are fit and will take the new ball, and they will be joined by the South African cricketer of the year, Kagiso Rabada.

The team’s captain, Faf du Plessis, says after a good heart-to-heart with the team there is a renewed vibe in the squad.

"It’s a new season, we need to focus on the strength of our batting line-up and the only way we can do that is by putting runs on the board,” he explained.

"We have been practising hard and the guys look like they are in a good space. Obviously AB leaves a bit of a hole, he is also a huge member of our test line-up, even if you look at his statistics over the last period, India definitely had an effect on all of us. 

"It’s nice that that season is done, we can focus on a new season which will hopefully be a good one to come, especially for the batsmen.”

The first Test which will be played at Kingsmead in Durban is scheduled to get underway at ten o’clock on Friday morning.

Morgan Piek/OFM News