World Cup 2023 | NZ vs SA, Match 32 - Top Captain And Vice-Captain Picks

image-loe6z5bkDevon Conway will look to regain his form in the match against South Africa (Source: AP Photos)

In-form sides New Zealand (NZ) and South Africa (SA) square off against each other in the ongoing sixteenth edition of the World Cup. Match No. 32 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 01, 2023, at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune at 14:00 PM IST. With four victories and eight points, the Kiwis are placed in the third position in the table while with five wins and ten points, the Proteas are positioned above them in second. Before the game goes live, here is a look at the top captain and vice-captain choices for the fantasy contests of this encounter.

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NZ vs SA, 32nd Match: Venue Analysis

The average first innings score in ODIs in Pune is 294 so it's a high-scoring ground. Chasing sides have slightly done better at the MCA Stadium in the 50-overs format. Both sides have some quality hitters so a run-fest could be on the cards.

MCA Stadium ODI Records

Matches: 9
Matches Won Batting First: 4
Matches Won Batting Second: 5

Average First Innings Score: 294
Average Second Innings Score: 275

World Cup 2023 Record

Matches: 2
Matches Won Batting First: 0
Matches Won Batting Second: 2

Average First Innings Score: 248
Average Second Innings Score: 251
Highest Total Recorded: 261/3 by India vs Bangladesh
Lowest Total Recorded: 241/10 by Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan


NZ vs SA, 32nd Match - Toss Factor

Sides batting second have managed to win both the encounters played in this WC so far. The captain winning the toss might opt to field first at this venue considering the last two results. 

Scenario: If New Zealand Fields First

The Kiwi bowlers were handed a thrashing by the Australians last time out in Dharamsala. New Zealand is known to be disciplined with the ball and will look to restrict the South Africans to a low score. The trio of Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway are the leading run-getters for NZ so far in this WC. They will again be vital cogs if their side are up against a big target.

Scenario: If South Africa Fields First

The African pacers have always been up to the mark so far in this tournament with Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada being their leading wicket-takers. They will have their work cut out against the in-form Kiwi batting line-up. Wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock has struck the most runs overall so far in this WC and he along with others like Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen will hold the key in a big run-chase.


NZ vs SA, 32nd Match - Top Captain and Vice-captain choices

Scenario: If South Africa Fields First

Quinton de Kock (SA)

Quinton de Kock is the leading run-scorer so far in this campaign. The left-handed opening batter has smashed 431 runs in six innings at an average of 72 which includes three centuries. de Kock, who is set to retire from ODIs after the ongoing WC, will look to carry on his great form against a strong Kiwi outfit.

Heinrich Klaasen (SA)

Destructive middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen is in blistering form in this competition. The right-handed player has racked up 300 runs at an average of 50.00 and a deadly strike rate of 149.25. Klaasen has hit one hundred and one half-century. He will again be the main man for the Proteas if they are facing a stiff target.


Scenario: If New Zealand Fields First

Devon Conway (NZ)

Devon Conway began the World Cup with a fine knock of an unbeaten 152 against England in Ahmedabad. Since then, the left-handed opening batter has got starts in almost all games with scores of 32, 45, 20, 0 and 28. The 32-year-old will finally look to get back amongst the runs and give his team a solid start in a big run-chase.

Daryl Mitchell (NZ)

Daryl Mitchell has struck the second-most runs for the Kiwis so far. The no. four right-handed batter has mustered 322 runs in six innings at an average of 80.50 with one hundred and two fifties. The middle-order player is a crucial member of his side against the Proteas in this fixture. If the BlackCaps are facing a huge target, Mitchell will again have to shoulder the responsibility for guiding his side home. 


NZ vs SA, 32nd Match - Big Risk, Big Match Returns

Tom Latham (NZ)

Regular skipper Kane Williamson is almost fit and is set to return for this clash against the Rainbow Nation. Stand-in captain Tom Latham has amassed 147 runs in four innings in this WC at an average of 37 with two half-centuries. The number five wicketkeeper batter is a risky but worthy choice for this crucial encounter.

Temba Bavuma (SA)

Captain Temba Bavuma has missed a couple of matches due to illness in this campaign. The right-handed opening player has managed to score only 87 runs in the other four innings so far. Bavuma has had a great record in ODIs in 2023 and will look to get back to his best against the BlackCaps.