South Africa Name Uncapped Neil Brand As Test Captain In A Shocking Squad For NZ Series

David Bedingham made an impressive debut against India (X.com)

South Africa, the number 1 team in the World Test Championship currently and who beat India comprehensively in the Boxing Day Test match at Centurion few days back have named a shocking 14-member squad for their two-match Test series against New Zealand.

It is a team full of potential debutants with Neil Brand who is yet to make his Test debut set to make history be captaining his national side in his maiden game. The wholesale changes have been made because the series collides with South Africa's flagship T20 tournament - SA20 and all the top players from the country will represent their respective franchises in that competition.

The likes of David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen who are currently in the squad for India series as well are also part of the squad for the NZ series while the experienced players like Duanne Olivier and Dane Piedt have also made it to the squad.

The first Test will be played on 4th of February at Mount Maunganui while the second Test will be played on 13th of February. The team will leave for New Zealand on 19th of January while SA20 will start on 10th of January and the final will be played on 10th February.

The series is a part of WTC cycle and it is surely going to be a tough task for an inexperienced South African unit to tackle Kiwi threat in their home conditions.