On paper it rarely stirs the imagination, but somehow New Zealand and South Africa often conjure up some spicy affairs at international level.

Maybe it is the needle between the two teams or perhaps it's that the Kiwis have a reputation for being wily old foxes, often upsetting the higher-ranked teams.

With the sides set to do battle in all forms of the game over the next month and a half, the three Twenty20 Internationals will no doubt be used to put down a marker - through verbals and match results - for the rest of the series.

For South Africa, this is truly a new beginning as for the first time in years they will be without Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn.

However, don't be fooled into thinking that this side will be short of experience, as captain AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha are veteran campaigners.

The Proteas, though, will be looking to the young and exciting Richard Levi and Colin Ingram to bring the 'wow' factor. Levi excelled during the domestic T20 competition and also shined in the win over Canterbury.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe is another player who will head into the series high on confidence, having taken a hat-trick in the warm-up game. With no Steyn around, it will be up to the left-arm seamer and Morne Morkel to lead the attack.

The Black Caps, meanwhile, have quietly gone about their business in the past few months. Most people will say 'it's only Zimbabwe', but the manner in which they brushed the Southern African outfit aside was impressive.

In fact, stand-in captain Brendon McCullum was the first to admit that they will need to step up a level against South Africa.

"We know we're going to be judged on how we go in this series and the opportunity to start the series in the form of the game we're quite strong is a positive for us," the swashbuckling batsman said.

"If we want to continue to improve as an international team, become consistent and move up the rankings in all three forms, then you've got to beat the good teams and do it consistently. That's the challenge in front of us. But it's also an opportunity, so we're pretty excited."

And a challenge it will be, especially for the likes of Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol, who look like they are methodically gelling as a unit at international level. It is one thing play well against Keegan Meth and Kyle Jarvis, but doing so against Morkel and Tsotsobe will be a different kettle of fish.

McCullum, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills will no doubt be the backbone of the side while at the other end of the scale Michael Bates, Andrew Ellis, Colin de Grandhomme, Ronnie Hira are out to make names for themselves.

The match-ups will be interesting and both sides will no doubt have one eye on the upcoming World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

Key Men
New Zealand: At first glance, the New Zealand batting looks a bit weak with no Ross Taylor in it, but those who have come into the side have put their hands up. Watch out for Rob Nicol at the top of the order.

South Africa: South Africa are looking to Richard Levi to replace Graeme Smith at the top of the order. Most youngsters coming into a side usually play with a carefree abandon and the Proteas will hope Levi does the same.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results
2005: One-off T20I: New Zealand won by five wickets at the Wanderers
2007: WT20, Group E clash: South Africa won by six wickets at Kingsmead
2007: One-off T20I: South Africa won by three wickets at the Wanderers
2009: WT20, Group D clash: South Africa won by one run at Lord's
2010: WT20, Group E clash: South Africa won by 13 runs at Bridgetown

Prediction
The Kiwis have won only one of the five T20I encounters between the two sides, but they are in good nick and will give the Proteas a good run for their money. Don't be surprised if they win it two-one.

Online betting firm Sky Bet have New Zealand at 11/8 to win the series and South Africa at 4/7. Visit Sky Bet for the latest cricket betting.

Squads
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Michael Bates, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Colin de Grandhomme, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Fixtures
First T20I: 17 February, Wellington
Second T20I: 19 February, Hamilton
Third T20I: 22 February, Auckland