CAPE TOWN - Proteas captain Faf du Plessis says his bowlers will not be afraid of doing the “donkey work” into the strong winds expected for the second Test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.
The wind in New Zealand’s capital city is notorious, often moving the heavy roller all by itself, and provides a stiff challenge for the fast bowlers. But Du Plessis is confident his fast bowling trio consisting of Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada will be prepared for the task ahead.
"It's a tough job, especially from a seamers' perspective," Du Plessis said at the pre-match press conference. "We've got guys who are prepared to put in the work. KG (Kagiso Rabada), I certainly feel I can use him. He's a guy who's not scared of a challenge.
"Someone like Vernon doesn't necessarily have to bowl quick all the time. He can bowl into the wind and gives you that control.
"And Morne has done the donkey work for years for South Africa. All three will be prepared to do the hard work."
South Africa’s bowlers certainly haven’t been hampered by the weather conditions in the past. The Proteas have a 100% record at the Basin Reserve in four outings at New Zealand’s most storied Test venue.
Philander and Morkel also hugely enjoyed their previous visit to the picturesque venue back in 2012. Both pace bowlers claimed six wickets apiece in New Zealand’s two innings, with Morkel’s 6/23 still his career-best figures.
"That'll be big for them," Du Plessis said. "The experience’s Morne's had is vital to the team. The confidence from that is definitely a big thing for us."
The visitors will, though, also remember that despite the lanky fast bowler’s impressive performance in the second innings they were still foiled in their bid to push for victory.
Even without the injured Ross Taylor – like the Kiwis will be again in this second Test with the former Black Caps skipper ruled out with a calf injury – the home team managed to hang on for a draw through the brilliance of Kane Williamson.
Only 21 years old back then, Williamson fought valiantly for just under five and a half hours to foil an impressive Proteas attack and record an unbeaten 102. It was only Williamson’s second Test century at the time and played a big part in his development.
Five years on, and 14 Test centuries later, including last week’s impressive 130 in the first Test against the Proteas at Dunedin, and Williamson is now New Zealand’s captain. It almost goes without saying that he is the prized Black Caps wicket now, especially due to the Kiwis fielding an inexperienced middle-order with Neil Broom to make his Test debut, Henry Nicholls and Jimmy Neesham at No 6.
"I said before the series that if we can get rid of Williamson and Taylor there's a lot of pressure on the rest of the batting line-up," Du Plessis said.
"With a player like Ross you'll get consistent runs through the series, his stats tell that story. With a new guy it's the unknown and it's important to put pressure on him and not give him feel comfortable and give him easy boundaries and runs so he can settle.
"We couldn't get rid of Kane in the first Test and they were successful as a unit. There lies the secret."
New Zealand will be forced into a second change with Tim Southee replacing the injured Trent Boult, while coach Mike Hesson is also pondering over replacing left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner with paceman Matt Henry.
Play starts at midnight South African time on Thursday.
Squads for the Basin Reserve:
SA: Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis (capt), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Theunis de Bruyn, Heinrich Klaasen, Duanne Olivier.
NZ: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (capt), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Jeetan Patel, James Neesham, Matt Henry
TV: SuperSport 2, 11.30pm – 7am daily from Thursday.