South Africa name debutant Test captain, new look squad for New Zealand series as top stars prioritise SA20

Cricket South Africa on Saturday, 30 December announced their men's squad for the Test series against New Zealand. Set to be played in February 2024, South Africa will play a 2-match series away from home against a Kiwi side that has always been dominant at home conditions.

CSA released a 14-member squad, captained by uncapped 27-year-old batting all-rounder Neil Brand. In total, there are 7 uncapped players on the tour of New Zealand. This will only be the second time in the history of Test cricket that a player will captain in his first ever Test match.

Neil Brand (C), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Kegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, Khaya Zondo.

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front-line players of the South African team will not be travelling with the squad to play the second season of the SA20 league, which had a fantastic opening season last year. SA20 is expected to be fruitful for the South Africa side, who will focus on their T20 game much ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be played in the Caribbean islands and the United States of America in the month of June.

South Africa Test coach Shukri Conrad backed the young side and said that they had the ability to challenge the New Zealand team in the 2-match series.

"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," Conrad said in an official CSA statement on Saturday, 30 December.