South Africa Aim Clearsweep at Home

Port Elizabeth: South Africa will be looking to secure just their second home test series win in over four years when they take on New Zealand in the second test at St. George's Park on Friday.

The Proteas have risen to the top of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) test team rankings thanks to their wonderful away form which has seen them win back-to-back series in Australia and England and remain unbeaten on their travels since 2006.

However, South Africa have won just one test series at home since their 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in November 2008, a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in early 2012.

The Proteas will be confident of winning the second and final test against New Zealand after demolishing the Black Caps by an innings and 27 runs inside three days in the first test in Cape Town.

The visitors were shot out for just 45 runs on the first morning of the test, a period of play that New Zealand coach Mike Hesson described as a "horror session".

They will not face their first-innings tormentor Vernon Philander after the seamer was ruled out of the match with a hamstring strain and they showed some fight in their second innings with 275, so South Africa are expecting a battle.

Pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are ranked first and eighth respectively in the world test bowling standings.

New Zealand batsmen were subjected to a barrage of hostile deliveries from their own bowlers as they prepared to combat South Africa's formidable attack.

Williamson added that the Black Caps would be far better prepared for the challenge of playing South Africa after their comprehensive defeat in the first test.

There is such a wide gulf between world champions South Africa and eighth-ranked New Zealand that the host nation will drop a point on the International Cricket Council rankings if they win the series 1-0.

Teams:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (wk), Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel,

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Dean Brownlie, Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling (wk), James Franklin, Colin Munro, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Jeetan Patel, Bruce Martin, Chris Martin, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Pitch & conditions
The St George's Park pitch has traditionally had less pace and bounce than other Test venues in South Africa, although much could depend on the amount of grass left on the surface - and which way the wind is blowing.

Stats & trivia

• South Africa have won just one test series at home since 2008, a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in early 2012.

Match facts
January 11-15, 2013
Start time 10:30 local (08:30 GMT)