Black Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa with injury.

Central Districts’ gloveman Kruger van Wyk, brought in as cover, will make his Test debut in the match starting on Wednesday in Dunedin.

Watling, 26, had been suffering from an irritation around his hip joint and van Wyk was drafted into the squad on Monday as a precaution.

Both Watling and van Wyk were born in South Africa.