|| CF DESK ||

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was optimistic about his return with the first Test after recovering from injuries against South Africa.

Williamson was absent for a significant portion of cricket last year after tearing his ACL during the IPL, followed by a fractured thumb at the ODI World Cup, and then a hamstring strain.

"My hamstring is good, it's progressed well in the last couple of weeks. Feeling good, and looking forward to getting back to training and joining up with the team," Williamson said.

"The weather has been incredible. Extremely hot, so yup I am confident and like I said will just be nice to join back up with the side and I think all the guys are really looking forward to getting back together as a Test team," he said.

Williamson also said there was no scope to underestimate the South Africa squad and wanted his team to focus on the cricket ahead.

"For us, we just want to focus on the cricket that we want to play and the plans that we have and that doesn't change from opposition to opposition. There are adjustments within the conditions etc, but there are several players in the South African side that members of our team are quite certainly familiar with playing county cricket and these things," he said.

"So we are under no illusions that it is going to be a tough contest for sure. They are all very good players and we just want to keep bringing the focus back to our cricket," he added.

New Zealand has been dealing with several injuries leading up to the first Test against South Africa. Additionally, fast bowler Kyle Jamieson has been sidelined with a back injury, and wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell also experienced a hamstring injury.