South Africa has announced Neil Brand as the captain for their upcoming two-match test tour of New Zealand next month. The team named on Saturday includes a number of players who have not yet played a test but will have the opportunity to do so due to the clash with the SA20, the domestic T20 league. The majority of the squad that recently beat India in the Boxing Day test will be competing in the SA20 league, with only David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen going to New Zealand. Bedingham notably scored a half century on his test debut against India.
The squad includes batsmen Zubayr Hamza and Khaya Zondo, pace pair Duanne Olivier and Dane Paterson, and spinner Dane Piedt, all of whom have won previous test caps. Neil Brand, who was named captain, led South Africa A to a 2-1 series win over West Indies A earlier this month. Despite the lack of experience in the squad, coach Shukri Conrad expressed confidence that South Africa will be competitive in New Zealand.
In a statement announcing the team, Conrad said, “The players picked for this tour have every chance of challenging New Zealand and we have full confidence they will do exactly that when we arrive for the first test match at Mount Maunganui. Most of these guys participated in the recent ‘A’ series against West Indies where they showed that they have what it takes against players of international calibre. That experience will no doubt leave them in a better position for what we expect to be a testing series in New Zealand.”
The tour will see South Africa play a three-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch before the first test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from Feb 4-8 and the second test at Seddon Park in Hamilton from Feb. 13-17. The squad includes Neil Brand (captain), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Paterson, Keegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, Khaya Zondo.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
