Proteas will be going in for the kill

With one more test in the series between these two teams, South Africa will be seeking a knockout blow while the Black Caps are seeking redemption.

And it all comes down to patience at the crease, an element that is seldom essential in T20 or ODI cricket.

"You've got to be patient," says New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson, who rates South Africa's attack as the best in the world.

"They're very disciplined, so it makes decision-making hard," he said.

"There's less balls to score off than a lot of attacks, so patience and good decision-making is the key in playing these bowlers."

Whether the Kiwis can suddenly develop that patience is another matter. South Africa will be going in for the kill from Friday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. They will also be eager to exploit the frailties that have existed in New Zealand's batting line-up in both tests so far.

Apart from the licking they took on the field in the second test (lost by nine wickets in three days), the Kiwis are being bashed in the media as well.

Headlines like "Merciless visitors take no prisoners" and "Philander mows down Kiwis" were common this week.

One columnist wrote: "South Africa have just about all bases covered, from the dead-straight scariness of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to the silky smooth brilliance of Vernon Philander and craft and craftiness of Jacques Kallis, who can still rip one down when necessary. This is a staggering good attack."

The beleaguered Black Caps, chewed up and spat out by the Proteas in all forms of the game, are under extreme pressure to draw the series.

The selectors are under pressure too and there are many question marks. One concerns Daniel Flynn, brought in to replace Rob Nicol as the opening batsman and medium-fast bowler.

Flynn, who has been plagued by a hip injury and only returned to active duty a few months ago, has been good with the bat in the Plunket Shield with an average of 98.2, all batting between 5-7.

Why did he not play for Northern Districts against Auckland last weekend? Answer: He is only 80% fit and struggles to see out a full day in the field.

Using Flynn as the opening partner with Martin Guptill leaves Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Williamson to steady the middle order. Dean Brownlie is another option and will lengthen New Zealand's batting with Daniel Vettori at No7 and Kruger van Wyk at No8.