New Zealand vs South Africa Preview: South Africa looking to make a late run for the finals

South Africa will need their out of sorts top order to fire against the Kiwi's.

South Africa, who registered their first win of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup by defeating Afghanistan by nine wickets, will face a much stiffer challenge when they take on New Zealand at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

It was Grant Elliot's famous "hit into the grandstand" in an enthralling climax which ended South Africa's World Cup campaign in 2015 and powered New Zealand to their first ever appearance at the finals. While stakes might not be as high for New Zealand when they take the field on Wednesday, for South Africa, the result would determine their contention for the race to the semi-finals.

New Zealand started their World Cup campaign with three consecutive wins before their fixture against India ended in a wash-out at Trent Bridge. The bowlers have been in prime form, having restricted the opposition to a below-par total on each occasion, making things easier for the batsmen. The middle-order, which failed considerably against Bangladesh before Mitchell Santner finished the job, will be put to a stiff test against South Africa.

South Africa, destabilised after three consecutive defeats, put on a complete performance to register a nine-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last game. While Imran Tahir produced another match-winning spell as he picked up four wickets, the century-stand put on by the openers was probably the greatest positive for the Proteas. The top-order will have to shoulder responsibility yet again, as they will be up against an in-form New Zealand bowling unit. South Africa will need to win 3 of their remaining 4 matches if they are a chance of making a remarkable recovery to the semi-finals, and with the English weather they are best not to drop a game, starting today against the Kiwi's.

Lungi Ngidi, who has been declared match fit after he missed last three games due to hamstring injury, is likely to replace Beuran Hendricks in the playing XI.

WATCH OUT FOR - Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson has been in nice touch without passing 100 so far.

Kane Williamson will be looking to join the other big names who have excelled so far in this year's WorI'd Cup. The Kiwi captain Will be looking to join the locks of Warner, Finch, Sharma, Root, Morgan and Al Hassan who have all scored centuries and lead their sides to wins so far in the tournament. Coming up against the out of sorts South Africa, Williamson will have no better opportunity to find form, although the South Africans do have a potent bowling attack.   PREDICTION Despite their position on the table New Zealand cannot take South Africa lightly. The Proteas will be looking to recordat second straight victory and begin a charge up the ladder whilst New Zealand will be looking to regain deposition on the top of the table. South Africa will need their batting stars to fire if they are to win this one, however we feel that New Zealand will be too strong and will get the victory.

New Zealand to win by 40-60 runs / 4-6 wickets.

STATISTICS

HEAD TO HEAD ODI Matches: 70 New Zealand: 24

South Africa: 41

N/R: 5

HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS Matches: 7 New Zealand: 5

South Africa: 2

WORLD CUP RECORDS

New Zealand

Matches: 83

Won: 51

Lost: 30

Best Result - Runners-Up (2015)

South Africa

Matches: 59

Won: 36

Lost: 21

Best Result - Semi-Finalists (1992, 1999, 2007, 2011)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015: New Zealand

Matches: 80

Won: 46

Lost: 30

South Africa

Matches: 78

Won: 48

Lost: 29