Proteas skipper backs Ryder return

South Africa captain AB de Villiers rates New Zealand firmly among the ICC Cricket World Cup favourites but reckons they're limiting their chances by shutting out Jesse Ryder.

De Villiers expects a tight one-day international series tussle against the Black Caps starting in Mt Maunganui on Tuesday.

The three-game series, which falls early in the New Zealand domestic season, is followed by eight limited-overs games in Australia.

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It provides the Proteas an ideal sighter of conditions in both countries which will co-host the World Cup starting in February.

De Villiers says the four-yearly tournament loomed into view long ago for his team, who have fallen short in six previous campaigns despite harbouring strong hopes.

"It would mean the world to us to win it, it really would," he said.

"I get quite emotional talking about it because it's really close to my heart."

However, he says the title is wide open, decrying labels of New Zealand as a "dark horse".

"They'll be more than competitive, I'd call them one of the favourites," de Villiers said.

"We know what they're capable of on their home soil, and they haven't won a big tournament for a while so, like us, they must be very motivated to do well."

De Villiers says the Black Caps boast strength in most facets but will only benefit if big-hitting allrounder Ryder is welcomed back.

Ryder hasn't been considered since breaking team protocol last summer.

Coach Mike Hesson didn't include Ryder in an initial 19-man New Zealand XI squad for games this week against Scotland and Ireland, saying the 30-year-old hasn't done enough off the field to prove he warrants an international recall.

De Villiers wonders if Hesson will stick to that stance when he names the World Cup squad.

"They're probably going to have to find a way to get him in," he said.

"He's a very dangerous cricket player and you wouldn't want to play against him, no matter who you are because you know if he comes off he's probably going to win you the game."

While the Proteas skipper says he didn’t think Ryder would hypothetically make the world’s No.2 ranked squad, one player de Villiers does believe would make his team is veteran spinner Daniel Vettori, who is making a late bid for World Cup selection.

Former captain Vettori, 35, wants to prove his fitness against the Proteas after battling a variety of ailments in recent years.

"I would feel very confident if I was them and (Vettori) was in the side," de Villiers said.