A freak wrist injury will keep local hero Kane Williamson out of today's second ODI between the Black Caps and South Africa at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

The dividends from Tauranga City United's outstanding promotion-winning season continue with two of the team's best performed players promoted ahead of the ASB Premiership season.

Andrew Roy has always been a high achiever in sport and back in his days at Otumoetai College, he was a national surf lifesaving champion with a distinct advantage.

Bay of Plenty Times photographer John Borren was on hand yesterday to see South Africa coast to a six-wicket win over the Black Caps at Bay Oval. This is what it looked like down the length of his lens.

South Africa took the early initiative in their three-game ODI series against New Zealand with a six-wicket win in Mt Maunganui today.

The Black Caps had first use of the Bay Oval's facilities yesterday before the world-class South African unit went through their paces in the unfamiliar surrounds. Our photographer George Novak was there to observe the preparations ahead of today's opening one-day international.

The Black Caps will begin their Cricket World Cup preparations at Tauranga's Bay Oval in the first of three one-day internationals against the Proteas.

The South African Proteas have a single goal at the end of this summer - to win the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time.

Three Tauranga footballers who grew up together with the dream of one day making the All Whites were yesterday named in coach Anthony Hudson's squad.

The summer of sevens begins early this year, with the rescheduled Page Macrae Engineering Mount Maunganui Sports Club Rugby Sevens tournament at Blake Park on Saturday.

It is not surprising that Omanu professional James Hamilton has one clear memory from his breakthrough win on the Charles Tour last year.

Bay of Plenty will attempt a record eighth successive defence of the Garrard Shield this weekend in the sumptuous surroundings of the Kerikeri Golf Club.