New Zealand wary of winter cricket in SA

The team that adapts best to early season cricket in South Africa will gain the upper hand, says stand-in New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

The two sides meet in a Twenty20 clash in Durban on Saturday (2am AEST), the first time cricket has kicked off in August in South Africa. Locals expect the pitch could have more zip before winter has even finished.

Williamson said they had been trying to find out how the Durban wicket played early in the season and to get some gauge from the ground's net facilities.

"There hasn't been a huge amount of experience on this surface in the dressing room so I guess it will be on the day,” he said.

"The team that adapts best first, or quickest, will certainly gain the advantage."

The T20 match is a precursor to three one-day internationals in South Africa and the New Zealanders are coming off a come-from-behind series win in Zimbabwe. 

In contrast, the Proteas endured an underwhelming tour of Bangladesh last month, losing 2-1 in the 50-over format before two rain-ruined Test draws.

Quick single: Proteas' points washed away in drawn series

The last time the Kiwis played a one-day series in South Africa, in 2012-13, they actually won 2-1, but it was overshadowed by their embarrassing losses in the two Tests, including being rolled for 45 in one innings.

Williamson said regular captain Brendon McCullum - who is being rested for the series alongside pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult and allrounder Corey Anderson - and coach Mike Hesson had improved the team culture since then.

"That's a lot of what we talk about, is about playing for the right reasons, playing to contribute to the team."

That removed some of the "selfish endeavours" which could creep into a player's mind in a game dominated by so many statistics, he said.

Meanwhile, Williamson said he was enjoying his stint as captain.

"It's a privilege to lead your side, although it's certainly an interim thing."

The Black Caps will have to contend with a South Africa line-up bolstered by the return of star batsman AB de Villiers, who missed the ODI and Test portions of the Proteas’ Bangladesh tour while on paternity leave.

South Africa T20 squad: Du Plessis (capt), Abbott, Amla, Behardien, De Villiers, JP Duminy, Eddie Leie, Miller, Morne Morkel, Phangiso, Rabada, Rossouw, Van Wyk, Wiese

New Zealand T20 squad: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (capt), George Worker, Grant Elliot, Luke Ronchi, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Doug Bracewell, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan

South Africa v New Zealand:

August 14: First T20, Durban

August 16: Second T20, Centurion

August 19: First one-day international, Centurion

August 23: Second ODI, Potchefstroom

August 26: Third ODI, Durban