New Zealand v South Africa, Test series: All you need to know

The Cricketer runs through the match dates, start times, team news, squads, TV and streaming information, and more for the upcoming series

What is it?

New Zealand host South Africa in a two-match Test series.

What's on the line?

The games are part of the ICC World Test Championship. South Africa currently sit fourth in the standings while New Zealand lie in sixth position.

South Africa will look to end New Zealand's unbeaten record at home, which stands at nine series.

When is it?

First Test: February 17 - February 21 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch (11am local time, 10pm UK time)

Second Test: February 25 - March 1 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch (11am local time, 10pm UK time)

Who's involved?

Dean Elgar will lead South Africa's 17-man squad alongside vice-captain Temba Bavuma in their two-match series against New Zealand.

In South Africa's first tour since Quinton de Kock's retirement from Test match cricket, the Proteas also find themselves without key men Keegan Petersen and Anrich Nortje.

The paceman, who missed the entire India series due to a hip injury, isnt deemed fit enough to tour, so in his absence, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen will form the Proteas' pace quartet.

Jansen, who was the second-highest wicket-taker in his debut series against India - picking up 19 scalps at an average of just 16.47 - will cause headaches for the New Zealand top order with the height and bounce he can generate from his 6ft 8in frame.

^{Dean Elgar led South Africa expertly in their series win over India (Ashley Vlotman/Getty Images)}

Petersen, who topped the run charts with 276 runs in the recent 2-1 home victory over India, misses out because of Covid-19, with Zubayr Hamza and Sarel Erwee fighting for his spot in the XI.

There is also a place for off-spinner Simon Harmer, who played the last of his seven Tests in 2015, before signing a Kolpak deal with Essex in 2017. He has been selected as a back-up spinner for Keshav Maharaj, with George Linde unavailable due to his upcoming wedding.

Aiden Markram retains his place despite a disappointing recent run of form while neither Beuran Hendricks nor Prenelan Subrayen are included.

World Test Championship winners New Zealand arrive on the back of a drawn series with Bangladesh.

The Black Caps, who were skippered by Tom Latham due to an elbow injury for regular captain Kane Williamson, succumbed to an eight-wicket defeat in the first match, before blowing their opponents away at Hagley Oval a week later.

Ross Taylor's retirement presents a gaping hole in the middle order so Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell's runs will be vital in filling this void.

Tom Latham and Will Young are expected to open the batting for the hosts with Devon Conway – who averages 69.2 in his Test match career – batting at number three.

Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner will look to put the Black Caps on the front foot with ball in hand, but Kyle Jamieson is likely to be the hosts main threat, his staggering record sitting at 60 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.3.

^{Kagiso Rabada will be key for the visitors (Ashley Vlotman/Getty Images)}

New Zealand: Tom Latham, 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: Dean Elgar, 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

What are the odds?

New Zealand are favourites to win the first Test at 8/11, with South Africa priced at 3/1. The draw is 11/4.

Where can I follow it?

Spark Sport will show the action in New Zealand and act as host broadcaster.

Supersport will air the series in South Africa.

BT Sport will broadcast the series in the UK (BT Sport 1,2,3 and BT Sport Extra) and will also make it available online for its paying members.

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