2nd Test match will be played at Hagley Oval from February 25. It was anticipated that Trent Boult will make his return to Tests in the second Test match between NZ vs SA. But due to some fitness issues, he will not be playing in the second Test. Coach Gary Stead confirmed the same. He then added that Boult wasn't trained enough to play in the second Test which may increase the chances of injury.

“Boult isn’t in a position to be available for second Test Match”: Coach Gary Stead

Boult took paternal leave and missed the first Test against SA as the couple welcomed their third child. Matt Henry replaced him in the first Test and his show-stealing all-round performance of 9/55 and 58* helped NZ win the series opener.

“Trent Boult isn’t in a position to be available for this Test match with his loads and where he’s at, at the moment,” Stead said on Monday (February 21). “Since [he was on paternity leave] as well he’s missed out on a lot of opportunities to play cricket and bowl. We just felt the risk of him playing was far too great at the moment to do that to him,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Stead as saying.

Since Boult will be missing the second Test, Matt Henry will continue in the squad. His performance was historical because of two reasons: first, his unbeaten 58 at number 11 is the first time that any batman has scored a half-century at number 11. Second, this was only the 5th Test win for NZ against SA! And Henry played a crucial role in it.

NZ will be playing with the same 15-man squad and looking to clinch the Test series with a win. No changes are expected from the Hosts. While visitors may make a few changes in the playing 11.