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Dunedin: South Africa will press its claim to the No. 1 Test ranking when it begins a three-match series against New Zealand from Wednesday.
Ranked No. 2 behind England, South Africa has already demonstrated its superiority over eighth-ranked New Zealand in shorter formats, winning the Twenty20 series 2-1 and the one-day international series 3-0.
New Zealand is likely to be more competitive in the Test matches and will enter the first match with the same lineup that beat Australia by seven runs in its most-recent Test at Hobart in December.
South Africa has also been strengthened by the arrival of opener Alviro Petersen, batsman Jacques Rudolph, wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, fast bowler Vernon Philander and leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who did not play in the earlier series.
Coach Gary Kirsten said the Proteas must make a quick mental transition from the short forms to Test cricket and adapt to conditions which will likely suit the New Zealand team.
South Africa has had to cope with bitterly cold conditions since its arrival in this South Island city but found a pitch at the picturesque University Oval that is likely to suit batsmen.
New Zealand will have two debutants: opener Rob Nicol and wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk, who will play in place of the injured BJ Watling. Nicol will open with Guptill, with Brendon McCullum moving down to No. 3.
There is a third uncapped player in the squad, allrounder Andrew Ellis, but with Ross Taylor will take a four-pronged pace attack into the match, relying on Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Chris Martin and left-armer Trent Boult to exploit seam movement and any swing available in a match likely to be played in overcast conditions. Showers are forecast for the first day on Wednesday with improved weather for the remaining days.
Former captain Daniel Vettori, whose left-arm spin will also contribute to New Zealand's rounded bowling attack, said the home team was not bearing any psychological wounds after its mauling in the Twenty20 and one-day internationals.
Vettori said New Zealand faced a similar challenge in playing South Africa to the one they faced when they met and beat Australia late last year.
Teams from
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Chris Martin, Rob Nicol, Tim Southee, Kruger van Wyk (wk), Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling (wk), Kane Williamson.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (wk), Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Pitch and conditions
A brown pitch that may get slower suggests batting first would be the favoured option for both captains, which would be backed up by the high first-innings totals that have been scored in the three Tests at the University Oval. It is around 14oC in Dunedin, which could make the South Africa players uncomfortable. There is also a chance of rain on the first day, with clear skies forecast for the next four.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
March 7-11, 2012
Start time 10:30 local (21:30 GMT, prev day)
