South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Test Prediction

If NZ Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 350

Their batsmen struggled against the Australian bowling attack at home but they all had a great time in Zimbabwe. Kane Williamson hit a century and two fifties while Ross Taylor remained unbeaten on the tour with scores of 173, 124 and 67. Both of them have been their most consistent batsmen and either of them could go on to top-score in this match. The big knocks will have to come from these two if New Zealand are to reach 350.

With strike bowler Morne Morkel out due to injury, Dale Steyn will be South Africa's best bet to take wickets. The speedster has 42 wickets at the Kingsmead, and though he might cut down on his pace, he still stands a good chance of picking up the most wickets for his team. Off-spinner Dane Piedt took six wickets against England at this ground and he can cause a few problems for the visitors. If these two bowlers receive good support from Rabada and Abbott, New Zealand could fall short of the predicted score. 

SA vs NZ Head-to-Head

There have been a total of 40 tests between the two nations, and New Zealand have won only four of these matches. South Africa have won 23 while 13 have ended in a draw. Of the 23 tests played in South Africa, the hosts have 14 wins while the visitors have only 3. The remaining four matches were drawn. The Proteas also have wins in all the three tests against the Kiwis at the Kingsmead.

Our Prediction

New Zealand have never won a test series against South Africa and their last win against them in a test match came back in 2004 at Auckland. This Kane Williamson-led New Zealand side will look to make amends and they will be eyeing this tour as an a excellent opportunity to change history. 

The Proteas may have a much stronger record over the Kiwis, but the latter seem to have an upper hand based on current form. While the hosts have suffered two consecutive test series defeats to India and England, the visitors outplayed Sri Lanka at home and then crushed Zimbabwe on their turf.

South Africa, moreover, don't have an impressive record at Durban, having won only one match of the last six tests here. And the absence of key players in de Villiers and Morkel is only going to make matter worse for them.

New Zealand too faced a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Australia earlier this year. But they have shown vast improvements as a test team as opposed to South Africa who have slumped from no. 1 to no. 7 in the test rankings in under a year. So going by the recent performances of the two teams, we feel that New Zealand have a better chance of winning the first test.