Centurion, April 14:

Jacques Kallis and Stephen Fleming could mark their 100th Tests by leading South Africa and New Zealand in the series-opener on Saturday. The match will also be the 100th for South Africa bowler Shaun Pollock.

Whether Kallis captains the home side will depend on if skipper Graeme Smith passes a final fitness Test before the match on his injured ring finger. Smith batted in the nets on Thursday and was in some discomfort, but team physio Shane Jabbar was encouraged. “We’ll treat the finger some more, and then we’ll take a final decision tomorrow,” Jabbar said.

Kallis hoped Smith came through, and helped to make his latest milestone match all the more special. “When you play in your first Test, you never really think about playing in a hundred,” Kallis said. “But it is an honour and a privilege, and it will be something to remember in the future. But I won’t be expecting any favors from the opposition because it’s my hundredth Test.”

He needs 160 runs and four wickets to become the first Test player since West Indies great Gary Sobers to reach 8,000 runs and 200 wickets. Asked what he hoped for from his hundredth Test, Kallis quipped, “A couple of hundreds and a five-for.”

Despite observers believing South Africa will be tired after battling Australia in two successive series — and winning only one Test in six - Kallis said they’d be tougher for the experience.

Pollock was pleased to be marking his 100th Test where he played his first, in 1905 against England. “It certainly is a very proud moment. I’ve really enjoyed my Test experiences,” said South Africa’s most prolific wicket-taker.

Pollock, at 32, has given way to the likes of Makhaya Ntini as the team’s strike bowler, but accepted whatever role he was given. He’s taken 389 wickets, but claimed only 12 in the six Tests against Australia.

“If they want to experiment, and change my role, I’ll do whatever I need to, to help South Africa win a Test match. The game is much bigger than any individual. I accept that and will do my best in a new role. It will be a new challenge, and I accept that challenge.”

Fleming is New Zealand’s longest-serving and most successful captain, who made his Test debut in 1994 against India, and took over the captaincy in February 1997 in the third Test against England. He owns New Zealand records for the most Tests, most Test runs, and most wins as captain with 27 in 75 Tests in charge.