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Geoff Longley assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand and South African cricket teams, which are about to do battle in three tests and six one-day internationals.

Having arguably the most lethal fast-bowling combination in world cricket, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, bearing down on them, will have the best of the Black Caps' batsmen squirming at the crease.

That is just one of threats the Proteas brought with them when they arrived in New Zealand yesterday.

Although the New Zealand cricketers passed with distinction their first test this summer, against India, they face a more searching examination from South Africa, one of the top teams in the world.

South Africa has just flogged West Indies by the astonishing margins of 5-0 at test level and 6-1 in the one-dayers. The best hope for New Zealand is that the South African stars, including the pace-bowling duo, are jaded from their labours.

However, winning has a way of easing the aching bones and bodies, so it should not take long for the visitors to get into the groove on this tour.

Donald and Pollock have taken over the mantle of the most feared new-ball duo in the world, previously held by Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, of Pakistan.

Both have the ability to make the ball rear from an uncomfortably full length, which will provide the ultimate test for New Zealand's batsmen.

No-one likes to face such nasty fasties, but some cope better than others.

It will be the true test of technique and temperament for the Black Caps.

Unfortunately, New Zealand is still without a settled opening batting combination to weather the early assault. While Matthew Horne has one position unchallenged, it is debatable who his partner should be.

While the selectors want to pick Matthew Bell and view him as the long-term option, he struggled in his first series against India, and could be better kept for the England tour. It would leave someone with more experience such as Bryan Young, a capable back-foot player, Blair Pocock, or Roger Twose to confront the dynamic duo.

Another question will be whether the Black Caps want to expose their best batsman, Stephen Fleming, at No. 3, early to the new ball as he was against India.

Fleming is recovering from surgery, and will be rather rusty, having not played at top level for about two months.

A lot of pressure could come on the middle order, where New Zealand performed well against India. Perhaps Adam Parore, another who rates his ability to handle fast bowling, can step forward with some innings of quality, after an otherwise forgettable season with the bat.

Backing the Donald-Pollock show are other capable medium-pacers such as the hard-working Lance Klusner, Jacques Kallis, and Steve Elworthy. All-rounder Brian McMillan has retired.

South Africa is less replete with spin bowlers. Paul Adams, the player with the unorthodox left-arm bowling action, described as a ``frog in a blender'', is likely to be the team's mainstay, working around the quicker bowlers.

Ever-competitive 38-year-old off-spinner Pat Symcox is in New Zealand, but only for the one-day series, while other players are developed on the first-class part of the tour.

It does not get any easier for New Zealand with the Proteas' batting line-up. If the visitors have had a deficiency in the past, it was that they too struggled to find a stable partner for prolific run-getter Gary Kirsten.

Herschelle Gibbs made advances against West Indies to cement a place, while Adam Bacher, a nephew of South African cricket chief Dr Ali Bacher, is the other contender.

Then follows the established order of Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, skipper Hansie Cronje, and the incomparable Jonty Rhodes. The latter three are vastly experienced and, led by steely Cronje, they bring the uncompromising South African attitude to their batting, much the same as the Springboks do to their rugby.

Unlike the dashing Indian batsmen earlier this summer, who often gave the Black Caps' bowlers chances by unleashing their strokes at almost every opportunity, the South Africans are likely to be more circumspect, until they get established.

New wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has assumed the gloves almost seamlessly since the retirement of Dave Richardson to leave no hole there, either.

In short, the Black Caps face a formidable task. However, they can take heart from the fact that South Africa lost the test series on its last two major overseas tours, to Australia and England.

That may not be to New Zealand's advantage, though, with the Proteas wanting to set their overseas record straight.

New Zealand has the players to be competitive, and they are making encouraging progress.

As for winning, that is a different matter.

New Zealand could nab a one-day victory or two, especially early on, while the visitors settle and the Black Caps are fresh.

Otherwise, it looks like tough times ahead, with winning respect the first objective.