Keshav Maharaj to lead South Africa for T20I series in New Zealand

Most of the players from the T20 World Cup squad will not be travelling to New Zealand

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj will lead South Africa's 15-member squad for a T20I series in New Zealand beginning on March 15, a week after the conclusion of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.

The five-match series ends on March 25, and with the IPL expected to begin on March 26, a number of South African players who are part of the T20 World Cup squad have been given a break from the tour. Maharaj, George Linde and Jason Smith are the only players currently in India who will be travelling to New Zealand.

There are five uncapped players in the squad: Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Eathan Bosch and Nqobani Mokoena. Jordan Hermann is the brother of Rubin Hermann, who is also in the squad, while Eathan Bosch is the younger sibling of Corbin Bosch.

Mokoena, 19, was the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker in the 2026 SA20, claiming 13 wickets for Paarl Royals at a strike rate of 14.76.

Fast bowlers Ottneil Baartman and Gerald Coetzee, who were not included in the T20 World Cup squad, have been picked, and Tony de Zorzi makes a comeback after being sidelined by injury.

"With this series taking place directly after the T20 World Cup, the majority of that squad will return home, which creates a great opportunity for this group of players to step into the international environment and show what they're about at this level," South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad said. "Keshav has experience captaining the Proteas and has led two teams to the SA20 finals. His leadership and calm presence make him the ideal person to lead this group on this tour.

"The battng unit is particularly exciting for this tour. Tony brings experience to the top order, while Connor, Dian and Jordan have all demonstrated the ability to play positive, attacking cricket for their domestic teams. Nqobani showed during SA20 that he is an exciting young quick with the ability to make an impact and this series will give him the perfect opportunity to expose him to the international setup."

The South Africa women's side is also touring New Zealand for T20Is during the same period and the fixtures of the two series will be played as double-headers on the same day.

South Africa squad for T20I series in New Zealand

Keshav Maharaj (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, and Jason Smith