The form, the facts and the history between the two sides, ahead of the BLACKCAP 1st ANZ Test against South Africa at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
BLACKCAPS recent Test record
Current Test ranking: 5
A pair of Test victories over both Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier in the home summer has given the BLACKCAPS their largest Test winning streak since 2006-06. Go back a little further and the BLACKCAPS have lost just three out of their last 12 Test series, though one of those losses came in July-August last year while touring South Africa.
South Africa recent record
Current Test ranking: 3
The Proteas arrive with formidable form, coming into the match having won seven of their last nine Test matches. That includes a rare Test series victory in Australia, as well as series victories at home over Sri Lanka and New Zealand. That run has seen them jump three spots on the Test rankings in the last 9 months and they now sit just two points behind Australia in second spot.
History favours the visitors
The BLACKCAPS record against South Africa makes for tough reading for New Zealand supporters.
1. In 17 Tests at home against South Africa, the BLACKCAPS have won just once. In fact, South Africa are currently undefeated in 13 Tests against the home side.
2. This will be the 15th Test series played out between these two nations; New Zealand have never recorded a series victory over the Proteas.
3. New Zealand and South Africa have met at University Oval in Dunedin once before in this format, the 2012 encounter resulting in a draw.
BLACKCAPS milestones
1. Should they be in the XI, BJ Watling and Trent Boult will play their 50th Test for the BLACKCAPS. They will be the 21st and 22nd player for New Zealand to do so.
2. Ross Taylor has scored more Test runs at University of Otago Oval than any other player (547). He averages a staggering 78.1 across his 10 innings at the venue.
3. While unlikely to surpass him in this match, Taylor is 439 runs away from toppling New Zealand’s second highest Test run scorer in Brendon McCullum. Taylor currently sits on 6015, while McCullum retired at 6453.
South Africa milestones
1. JP Duminy is 18 runs away from reaching 2000 Test runs. He would be the third in the current South Africa squad to do so (Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis).
2. Vernon Philander has dismissed skipper Kane Williamson four times - the equal most for any seam bowler.
3. Hashim Amla has 26 Test centuries - more than the rest of the South Africa squad combined (25).
