South Africa will be entering the unknown as the last time they face the Black Caps at the Hagley Oval was back in 1999.

The pitch on the South Island is very seam friendly and the three main seamer, Trent Bolt, Tim Southee and the South African-born Neil Wagner have accounted for nearly 130 wickets between then in nine Tests.

The Proteas skipper, Dean Elgar, said they will access the conditions when they arrive.

“I think we are pretty aware of the nature of the conditions there, just out of a stats point of view.

“The record of their seamer over there has been pretty good and they have really cashed in.

“We've got two weeks from when we land to get used to make ourselves familiar with the conditions.

“We will know best when we get there.”

The 1st Test at the Hagley Oval gets underway at on 17 February.

Proteas Test squad vs New Zealand - Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Zubayr Hamza, 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.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport