South Africa face New Zealand in decider

Centurion: South Africa and New Zealand go into a one-match shootout for series honours when they meet in the second and final Test starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion Saturday.

South Africa and New Zealand go into a one-match shootout for series honours when they meet in the second and final Test starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion Saturday.

The Proteas can nudge up one place to sixth in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings if they win, while the Black Caps will remain fifth irrespective of the result.

But the reputation of Test cricket is at much at stake as rankings points after a farcical first Test in Durban where less than 100 overs of cricket were played before a wet, soft outfield prevented any play on the last three days.

It is the first time Test cricket has been played in South Africa in August, almost two months before the usual start of the season.

Centurion has been a fortress for South Africa in Test cricket, with the home side having won 16 of the 21 Tests at the ground.

Their only two losses were against England in a contrived result in 1999-2000, engineered by the late Hansie Cronje before he was banned from cricket because of his association with bookmakers, and against Australia in 2013-14.

New Zealand have an advantage in terms of match practice after playing and winning two Tests in Zimbabwe before coming to South Africa.

Teams from

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (Captain), Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Dane Piedt, Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Dean Elgar, Jean-Paul Duminy, Quinton de Kock (Wicket Keeper), Stephen Cook, Temba Bavuma, Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Stiaan van Zyl

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Henry Nicholls, Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, BJ Watling (Wicket Keeper), Luke Ronchi (WK), Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner

Match facts
27-31 August 2016
Start time: 1000 local (08:00 GMT)

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Steyn returns to the top of Test rankings [+]

He leapfrogs R Ashwin and James Anderson to take the top slot

Steyn Five-for Leads SA to Series Win [+]

Dale Steyn grabbed five wickets to lead South Africa to a 204 run-win over New Zealand in the second test at Centurion on Tuesday.

New Zealand Bowlers Fights but South Africa Edge [+]

South Africa were 105 for six at the close, an overall lead of 372 runs on a pitch at Centurion's SuperSport Park on Monday.

Faf du Plessis ton puts South Africa on top [+]

Faf du Plessis scored a fifth test century before his bowlers ripped through the New Zealand top order to leave South Africa firmly in charge after day two of the second test at Centurion on Sunday.

Top order gives SA control on Opening Day [+]

Half-centuries from Quinton de Kock, Stephen Cook, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy help home side go to stumps at 283/3.

South Africa face New Zealand in decider [+]

South Africa batsmen look to trump New Zealand bowlers at series decider second and final Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

First Test Drawn as Sodden Outfield Prevails [+]

The first test between South Africa and New Zealand ended in a damp draw on Tuesday without a ball bowled at Kingsmead.

Wet Outfield Means Another Day Lost [+]

A wet outfield again prevented play on the fourth day of the first test between South Africa and New Zealand in what is becoming an increasing embarrassment for the hosts.

Wet outfield washes out 3rd day play in Durban [+]

A wet outfield washes out third day of the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand at Kingsmead on Sunday.

Steyn bounces back into the Test Arena [+]

Dale Steyn announced his return to the Test match arena in emphatic style with a two-wicket new ball burst on the second morning of the first Sunfoil Test match against New Zealand at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.