The perfect recipe for Gavin Larsen, I just don't think he intends that for Kuggs.

Scott Kuggeleijn is the only Plunket Shield bowler who can lay a legit challenge down against the dominance of Ajaz Patel and Tarun Nethula over the last two years. Despite Patel and Nethula taking more wickets than Kuggeleijn in the 2015/16 season and so far this season, Kuggeleijn has averaged 25 in both seasons with the two spinners averaging around 30 in both seasons.

Those are impressive numbers, almost as impressive as Lockie Ferguson's First-Class bowling record and with Ferguson unable to be called up via injury, Kuggeleijn gets his chance. Well, sort of. Kuggeleijn has only been called in as cover and it seems as though Neil Wagner and Matt Henry will be selected as the seamers, with Jeetan Patel and Mitchell Santner selected as a spin-duo for a Hamilton pitch that will apparently offer plenty of the tweakers.

You'd assume that with two seamers and two spinners, either Jimmy Neesham or Colin de Grandhomme will offer a fifth bowling option. You would be wise to assume that, given the fascination with picking blokes who can dabble with bat and ball. My hunch is that we will see the same batting line up with Neesham at No.6, followed by Watling, Santner, Henry, Patel and Wagner.

That's a hunch based on what I've learned from the jokers in charge over the past year or two, although that logic also points to a few curveballs. Curveballs that won't be thrown but should be legitimate options.

Some believe that Jeetan Patel is the best spinner in Aotearoa, I beg to differ as he sits behind Ajaz Patel, Tarun Nethula, Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle in my rankings based from recent Plunket Shield stats. Patel's got the gig largely on what he has done in England and while Patel has done this over a far greater period of time than Matt Henry, I find it funny that not a whole lot of respect is being paid to Henry's runs he scored in England playing for Worcestershire; it's really a stretch so don't get your knickers in a twist.

In six games for Worcs, Henry hit 180 runs at an average of 45. Henry's also got three FC half-centuries to his name as well as a highest score in Test cricket of 66.

Is there really a need for an all-rounder like Neesham if we have bowlers who can combine to chip in with 50 runs more often than not? Sans Ross Taylor, you probably want that all-rounder in there and Neesham will get the gig, it's just an interesting thought when you also consider that Kuggeleijn has an impressive batting record himself. Last season, Kuggeleijn managed to finish third in wickets while also averaging 49.55 with the bat (via a century and three half-centuries) and this season he's ticking along at 28.83avg with a century and a half-century.

Neesham is playing Test cricket as an all-rounder, however comparing Neesham and Kuggeleijn's FC numbers makes for an even contest. Neesham averages 32.23 (5x100, 10x50) and 33.55 with the ball, while Kuggeleijn averages 30.98 (3x100, 12x50) and 33.06.

That desire to pick bowlers on what they do with the bat should really suit Kuggeleijn, especially if you're eyeing up de Grandhomme's spot for Kuggeleijn. De Grandhomme does offer control and consistency with his nifty medium-pace and while Kuggeleijn is a bit more on the wild side with the ball, you can't argue with his body of work in the Plunket Shield. It's not crazy to think that a bowling attack of Wagner, Henry, Patel, Santner and Kuggeleijn would make up for the perceived lack of runs from dropping Neesham.

Regardless, the Blackcaps won't beat South Africa if they rely on de Grandhomme and Neesham as key bowlers. They need weapons, I do think that we'll see Neesham as an all-rounder and then two seamers and two spinners. Just rid yourself of the idea that Kuggeleijn is solely in this squad as a replacement for Southee/Boult because Kuggeleijn is as much an all-rounder as any other all-rounder or faux-all-rounder that has been selected previously.

Even Matt Henry's a funky all-rounder!

As for this Test, it's easily the most excited I've been for a Test in a long time and I'm a Test-lover. My excitement revolves around seeing this Blackcaps team with their backs against the wall, in a must-win Test against a fantastic cricket team. There won't be another Blackcaps Test match for a while, which is nice because we're going to learn a lot about the Blackcaps Test team from this Test and what direction they might move in later this year.

If the rain comes and stays, then the skills of the Blackcaps will only be challenged further as they'll have to push the game along and this will obviously give us an insight into Kane Williamson's thinking as skipper.