New Zealand vs South Africa first Test: Tips and suggested bets

James Richardson
3 February 2024

Planet Sport offers tips and suggested bets ahead of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa.

South Africa have sent a desperately under-strength team to New Zealand to face the Black Caps on their own patch.

While New Zealand have a handful of notable absentees, South Africa will be captained by a debutant in a Test match for the first time since their readmission into the game.

New Zealand have lost just one of their four Tests at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui but that defeat was a big upset loss to Bangladesh. That Bangladesh team came with a lot more experience than this Proteas touring squad though.

The hosts have never won a Test series against South Africa and the circumstances of the tour present them with their best chance to get one over on their rivals at last.

New Zealand vs South Africa: Suggested bets

For the tourists much will hinge on the performance of a couple of key quicks who have the clear inside line on ending as the leading wicket-taker. Dane Paterson and Duanne Olivier have the experience of turning Test matches with their bowling.

Meanwhile, New Zealand sport an experienced pace quarter in skipper Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and South African-born Neil Wagner. Wagner's aggressive and abrasive style might just be too much for a green Proteas unit to handle at the Bay Oval.

Despite the presence of big-name top-order batters, it might fall to New Zealand's banker Daryl Mitchell to get them the runs they will need to win this Test. Mitchell is expected to bat at No 5 after the likes of Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra.

This Test match is unlikely to go the distance considering the mismatch of batting talents and barring some serious weather delays this one should be over before stumps on Tuesday.