Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Proteas T20I skipper Faf du Plessis has warned the Black Caps that they should be wary of Kagiso Rabada, labelling the fast bowler as the 'real deal'.
The Proteas arrived in New Zealand on Monday and will play a once-off T20I, five one-day internationals (ODIs) and three Tests, before travelling to England.
The South Africans head into the New Zealand series as the No 1-ranked one-day team in the world after whitewashing Sri Lanka 5-0 at home.
Du Plessis, who will captain South Africa the T20I game in Auckland on Friday, told reporters that the Black Caps need to be wary of the talent of 21-year-old Rabada.
"He's the real deal," Du Plessis was quoted as saying by the Stuff.co.nz website.
"He's someone who's going to be, injury permitting, just as good as Dale (Steyn) and Morne (Morkel).
"He's going to be leading South Africa's attack for a very long time. From a captain's perspective, he's a guy in all formats who has the skills to do whatever is required.
"If it is to keep the game quiet, he's got the skill to do that; if it's to shut the game down, his yorkers are fantastic. Bounce and pace are what he's got, so it will be nice see what he can do in these conditions.
"He hasn't played in New Zealand so this will be a nice learning opportunity for him."
The Proteas will play a T20 warm-up match against the New Zealand XI on Tuesday, February 14.
The T20I is scheduled for Friday, February 17 (08:00 SA time).
South African limited overs squad:
AB de Villiers (ODI captain), Faf du Plessis (T20I captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
New Zealand Twenty20 squad:
Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Wheeler.
New Zealand ODI squad:
Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor.
SA to NZ tour fixtures:
T20I:
Friday, February 17 - Twenty20 international, Auckland
ODI series:
Sunday, February 19 - First ODI, Hamilton
Wednesday, February 22 - Second ODI, Christchurch
Saturday, February 25 - Third ODI, Wellington
Wednesday, March 1 - Fourth ODI, Napier
Saturday, March 4 - Fifth ODI, Auckland
Test series:
March 8-12 - First Test, Dunedin
March 16-20 - Second Test, Wellington
March 25-29 - Third Test, Hamilton
