Faf du Plessis has singled out Kane Williamson’s wicket as the key to victory for the Proteas in the second Test in Wellington.

With Test debutant Neil Broom being the favourite to replace the injured Ross Taylor, South Africa will be facing an inexperienced middle order at the Basin Reserve.

Du Plessis will aim to target the Kiwis’ weakened batting lineup, and has singled out Williamson as the main player to eliminate before they can pile pressure on the Black Caps.

‘I said before the series that if we can get rid of Williamson and Taylor, there’s a lot of pressure on the rest of the batting lineup,’ Du Plessis told reporters.

‘We couldn’t get rid of Kane in the first Test and they were successful as a unit. There lies the secret.’

‘With a new guy coming in, it’s an unknown,’ Du Plessis said, adding that they may look to initially squeeze Broom, who scored a total of four runs in three one-day innings against the Proteas last month.

‘It’s up to us to put pressure on him and not give him boundaries and easy runs so he settles.’

Du Plessis has full confidence that his bowlers will do the job in Wellington, singling out the windy conditions as their biggest enemy.

‘It’s a tough job, especially from a seamers’ perspective,’ said Du Plessis.

‘We’ve got guys who are prepared to put in the work. KG, I certainly feel I can use him. He’s a guy who’s not scared of a challenge,’ Du Plessis said.

‘Someone like Vernon doesn’t necessarily have to bowl quick all the time. He can bowl into the wind and gives you that control.

‘And Morne has done the donkey work for years for South Africa. All three will be prepared to do the hard work.’

Photo: John Cowpland/www.photosport.nz