South African captain Faf du Plessis has revealed the hand he will play when the first test against New Zealand gets under way in Dunedin this morning.
But his opposite Kane Williamson was keeping his options open.
The Black Caps will wait until this morning before settling on a playing XI.
''We do want to have another look [today]. We have seen the wicket in the past change quite quickly so it is important we do that,'' Williamson said.
The home side has a couple of selection dilemmas, with Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme contesting the all-rounder's spot, while off-spinner Jeetan Patel's experience and ability to take the ball away from South Africa's left-handers means it must be tempting to include him in the playing XI.
''I suppose [Neesham and de Grandhomme] provide different strengths,'' Williamson said.
''Colin can exploit that seam movement very well in surfaces and Jimmy Neesham ... can bowl with some good pace and can make things happen with that pace.
''I suppose with the bat and in the field there are a number of similarities. They are both very good fielders and both contribute well with the bat.''
As far as the slow bowling stocks go, the Black Caps will probably settle on the status quo, with left-armer Mitchell Santner retaining his spot. He offers more with the bat and seems to be favoured.
But Williamson, who was probably foxing, said the team had not ruled out the possibility of playing two specialist spinners.
South Africa is fixed on a game plan of three seamers and a spinner, and du Plessis saw no reason to mess with what has been a winning formula.
The visitors are taking a selection punt on the fitness of Morne Morkel, though. The towering fast bowler will play his first test in more than a year. He has been struggling with a back injury and has had limited preparation.
But the extra bounce he can extract from the pitch and his experience saw him get the nod ahead of promising paceman Duanne Olivier.
''He looks good,'' du Plessis said.
''If he is not going to be able to play now, then we will never know if we don't take that chance.
''I've said to him over the last six months, every time that he has bowled in the nets, it felt to me like he was bowling at his best. And I'm talking now of all the times that I've faced him.
''I thought his consistency was really good, so I think it is an opportunity that we have to take.''
Morkel will partner Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada in a formidable pace trio. Tidy left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj will continue his bright start to his international career, and South Africa's top five featuring Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and du Plessis will present a challenge for the Black Caps bowling unit.
''They are a good side,'' Williamson said.
''We'll have to be at our best. But the side has been playing good test cricket at home this summer and it is important we do again [today].''
