The destructive batsman Martin Guptill, who has just been named in the team after returning from injury, has been ruled out for a further three matches.

His hamstring injury which he sustained against Bangladesh, has flared up again and he has been replaced in the squad by the South African-born Glenn Phillips for the T20 International.

One of the Kiwis best batsmen of all times, Ross Taylor, has been overlooked again with Dean Brownlie named in the side for the first two ODI’s.

Meanwhile the Proteas batsman Faf du Plessis says it's important for them to put the Kiwis big players under pressure in order to continue their purple patch.

“They’ve got very good bowlers in Tim Southey and Trent Boult. If you play them well I think you’ll put on good scores.

“Someone like Kane Williamson is always a consistent performer in their team.

“You should just put pressure on their big players. I’m just naming these three guys with whom you put yourself in a position to win games. I know they have a lot of young guys who are really talented.

“Something else that stands out is their field, which is really good”.

New Zealand and South Africa face each other on Friday in the T20 International and the first One-Day International will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport