Going into the series, South Africa had never lost a Test series against New Zealand in 17 meetings.[9][10]
New Zealand won the first Test by 281 runs,[11] and the second Test by 7 wickets,[12] winning the series 2–0.[13] It was the first time New Zealand had won a Test series against South Africa.[14]
The strength of the South African side was greatly compromised due to the ongoing 2024 SA20. The squad was composed of second string and inexperienced players, as only half of its 14 players had ever played a Test match, and none of them were considered to be in South Africa's best eleven.[15] The decision to withhold South Africa's best players resulted in intense criticism being directed towards the CSA, raising concerns about the potential harm caused to the relevance of Test cricket in the long term.[16]
In December 2023, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced an understrength Test team for the tour, composed of players with little or no Test cricket experience, in order to allow their best players to remain in South Africa to compete in the SA20 (a domestic Twenty20 franchise tournament). The decision was widely criticised.[19][20] Former Australian captain Steve Waugh was particularly critical, stating his opinion that Test cricket was in danger of no longer being the highest format of the game as the best players were incentivised to play Twenty20 because of better pay.[21]
On 16 January 2024, Edward Moore was added to South Africa's squad.[22]
Rachin Ravindra's score of 240 was the highest individual score as a maiden test hundred for New Zealand.[32]
Neil Brand (SA) became the 25th South African to take five wickets on Test debut.[33] His 6/119 were the best figures for a captain in his debut Test,[34] and for a South African spinner on his Test debut.[35]
World Test Championship points: New Zealand 12, South Africa 0
