The knives may be coming out for New Zealand opener Devon Conway but a former international insists it's too early to drop the out-of-form batter

The Australians are on the way after South Africa were seen off in historic fashion yesterday... however, Conway's still scratching for a decent innings.

The last time the left-hander passed 30 in a test innings was last March, against Sri Lanka.

But the 32-year-old has pedigree, scoring a double century on test debut.

Former Black Caps opener Mark Richardson's not prepared to give up on Conway just yet.