CAPE TOWN, South Africa - New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first against South Africa in the series-opening test at Newlands on Wednesday.

New captain Brendon McCullum takes charge of a Black Caps outfit that has won just one of its last nine tests and now goes up against the No. 1-ranked team in the world.

The Black Caps brought in BJ Watling to keep wicket and free up McCullum to skipper. Dean Brownlie replaced former captain Ross Taylor in the middle order.

South Africa retained the same 11 that beat Australia in Perth for a series victory there, keeping faith with new batsman Dean Elgar despite his pair of ducks on test debut. Seam bowler Vernon Philander was fit to play for the Proteas after recovering from a hamstring injury.

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Lineups:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Dean Brownlie, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, BJ Watling, Doug Bracewell, Jeetan Patel, Trent Boult, Chris Martin.

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