Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar says Dolphins opener Sarel Erwee is “maybe the favourite now” to replace Keegan Petersen at No 3.

Petersen was unable to travel to New Zealand having recently tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently playing for the Dolphins in the T20 Challenge.

Zubayr Hamza replaced Petersen in the Test squad while the uncapped Erwee was named in the original squad.

In three 4-Day Domestic Series innings for the Dolphins this season, Erwee has made 258 runs at an average of 86.00 with one hundred (163) and a fifty. He also top-scored for South Africa A in the series against India A with 251 runs at 50.20 with two fifties (75 and 97).

Hamza, meanwhile, has scored 253 runs in seven 4-Day Domestic Series innings at 36.14, including a highest score of 94. For SA A, he made 172 runs at 57.33 with one century (125*).

“We’ve got the option of Sarel Erwee. He’s been on a few tours with us now and I’d think he’s maybe the favourite now,” said Elgar when asked who would take Petersen’s place.

“We also have Zubayr Hamza who comes with South Africa A runs under his belt. He’s ticked some boxes.

“I’d say it’s those two options at the moment, but we haven’t reached a finalisation yet as to who is the guy we’re going to go with.

“Sarel has been with us for the longest time and served us brilliantly as the 12th man. In terms of the pecking order, a guy like Sarel is just ahead of Zuby.”

Both Test matches against New Zealand will be at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, starting on 17 and 25 February.