New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle will play in two important games before the start of South Africa's tour next week despite knee cartilage damage.

An MRI scan revealed the damage to Astle's right knee on Thursday.

He had been undergoing treatment on his left knee since returning from the World Cup last year and again after the Test series against India in September, and it had responded well before the trouble with the other knee reported this week.

Astle will play for Canterbury in the final of New Zealand's one-day competition, the State Shield, against Central Districts in Christchurch on Friday.

He will also turn out for the South Island in the annual 'Island of Origin' series against the North Island on Sunday.

He played a warm-up game for Canterbury on Wednesday with no problems, scoring 36.

New Zealand team manager Lindsay Crocker said: "These two games will give medical staff an opportunity to see how his knee holds up in a game situation.

"He will be reviewed again on Monday and then Nathan and the New Zealand Cricket medical panel will decide on appropriate treatment programmes and his availability for the South African series."

South Africa arrive in New Zealand on Sunday and play their first match, a one-day warm-up match against Northern Districts in Hamilton on Wednesday, before playing the first of a six-match ODI series in Auckland on Friday.