New Zealand's mounting injury problems began even before the South Africans arrived, with captain Stephen Fleming undergoing groin surgery in January from which he has still to regain full fitness.

Subsequently, Chris Cairns ruptured a calf muscle during the first One-day match against South Africa, Craig McMillan broke a bone in his right hand during the first Test and Matthew Bell has suffered a recurrence of a mystery virus he contracted in Malaysia two years ago.

Fleming had a fitness test yesterday but was told he still needs at least a week to recover. New Zealand coach Steve Rixon said today: ``It would have been very, very useful to have Stephen back in the side but it's not to be; he's not 100 per cent and unfit players just don't play Test cricket.''

The home side have recalled 34-year-old BryanYoung in place of Bell while the other batting place goes to Stead, 27, who is to make his international debut on his home ground.

Dion Nash, who retains the captaincy until Fleming returns had called for Lancaster Park groundsman Chris Lewis to give the pitch ``a haircut'' but there is only so much that can to done to change the nature of a playing surface, and South Africa's captain Hansie Cronje is happy with what he has seen.

As much as attempts have been made to produce a flat pitch South Africa's pace attack is unlikely to be as ineffective as it was at Eden Park where New Zealand batted comfortably through the last day to earn an honourable draw in the opening Test of the three-match series.

Allan Donald has recovered from a slight stomach strain and will start the Test, though South Africans will be concerned he has not finished any of the last three Tests he has started.

New Zealand may go into the match with two left-arm seamers after Shayne O'Connor was added to the squad to complimentGeoff Allott and right armer Simon Doull. Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori provides the slow bowling option.

Teams -- New Zealand (from):

Matthew Horne, Bryan Young, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Gary Stead, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dion Nash (captain), Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott, Shayne O'Connor.

South Africa:

Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Allan Donald, Paul Adams.