Neil Brand to lead new-look Proteas side for New Zealand Test tour

Neil Brand for South Africa ‘A’

Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

Cricket South Africa on Saturday named a completely new-look Proteas side that will take on New Zealand in February’s two-match Test series tour.

Of the Proteas currently doing Test duty against India, only batters David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen and newly called-up Zubayr Hamza will form part of the Test side to play in New Zealand.

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Titans’ Neil Brand will make his Test debut and captain the side, which will also see familiar faces like Dane Paterson, Duanne Olivier, Khaya Zondo and Dane Piedt in the mix.

Brand, who led South Africa ‘A’ to a 2-1 series win over West Indies ‘A’ earlier this month, is one of seven uncapped players – the others being batter Raynard van Tonder, all-rounders Ruan de Swardt and Mihlali Mpongwana, seam bowler Tshepo Moreki, spinner Shaun von Berg and wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin.

SA to NZ tour itinerary:

Warm-up Match

29-31 January – New Zealand XI vs South Africa at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University

Test Series

4-8 February – New Zealand vs South Africa at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

13-17 February – New Zealand vs South Africa at Seddon Park, Hamilton

Test coach Shukri Conrad has had to select a relatively inexperienced Test side since the majority of the Proteas will be participating in the SA20, scheduled to start from 10 January to 10 February.

The 14-man Proteas Test squad will depart for New Zealand on 19 January.

“Firstly, I would like to congratulate the players that will be going on a Proteas tour for the first time. It is a real honour to represent your country, so they should savour the moment,” said Conrad in a press statement.

“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.”

Proteas Test squad for New Zealand tour:

Neil Brand (captain, Titans), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Clyde Fortuin (Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (Lions), Tshepo Moreki (Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (Lions), Dane Paterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Rocks), Dane Piedt (Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Shaun von Berg (Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Dolphins)