A trio of Black Caps warmed up for today's test match against South Africa, with a spot of beach cricket on Mount Maunganui's Main Beach on Friday.

Hometown left-armer Neil Wagner, allrounder Daryl Mitchell and rising star Rachin Ravindra took on a keen crew of local junior cricketers, who were able to test their skills against the international heroes.

The beach cricket was followed by a photograph and autograph session with the players.

Rachin is set to add to his three test caps after being named in the New Zealand squad for the two-test series against South Africa, with New Zealand also naming Kane Williamson in the side after he missed the last three T20Is against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury.

Tom Blundell and Kyle Jamieson, who are also recovering from injuries, have been included as well.

Rachin comes into the squad at the expense of Henry Nicholls, who has suffered somewhat of a form slump. Barring an unbeaten 200 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in March 2023, the batter hasn't crossed 40 in his last 11 tests.

Rachin made his test debut in November 2021 against India in Kanpur but has not played the format since the new year's Test against Bangladesh in 2022. However, a breakthrough 2023 which culminated in him bagging the ICC Emerging Player-of-the-Year award has seen him get a test recall.

New Zealand are chasing their first-ever test series win against a weakened South Africa, who have as many as eight uncapped players in the side, including captain Neil Brand. Duanne Olivier is the most experienced member of the side with 15 tests to his name.

The Tegel Test Series against South Africa gets underway at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, at 11am, with a 5000-strong crowd expected and stunning, sunny weather forecast for the entire five days.

Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

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