Black Caps’ bowling coach Shane Bond is confident the absence of top spinner Daniel Vettori won’t impact too heavily on New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international against South Africa in Durban on Saturday (AEDT).

The Black Caps will miss former New Zealand captain Vettori in terms of his experience and leadership, but Bond says the talent is there to fill the gap.

“We’ve got a nice complement of slow bowlers, but I still think the spin bowling department’s a strength of ours on this tour.”

Bond says the experience of Nathan McCullum will be key, but Rob Nicol and Ronnie Hira also have the ability to tie an attack down and pick up wickets.

“Those three bowlers have been good performers at home and internationally for some time, so I’m pretty confident about the job they’ll do.”

The Black Caps can also take heart from their performance in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday in cruising to a 24-run win over South Africa A.

Pace bowler Mitchell McClenaghan led the way with a fierce opening spell which removed three of the top four batsmen, to finish with 3-19 from his four overs.

Hira also impressed with 3-35 as the second-tier South Africans crumbled to 9-116 in reply to New Zealand’s 8-140.

Bond admits New Zealand’s best chance of a win probably lies in the three T20 matches, which will be followed by two Tests and three 50-over matches.

“Twenty20s are a format where there’s a little bit more experimentation in terms of sides,” he said.

“We don’t know a lot about each other probably, so you wouldn’t say the psychological advantage rests with either side. I think it’s the most even format… whoever plays the best cricket is going to win.”

New Zealand’s chances look brighter with the news that South African Test captain AB de Villiers has pulled out of the three T20s, citing the need for extra rest before January’s two Tests. He will be replaced by Justin Ontong.