New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa at home. The contest will be the first international engagement for both teams after the conclusion of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India earlier this week.
The selection panel retained eight players from New Zealand’s World Cup squad, including skipper and experienced all-rounder Mitchell Santner. At the same time, three uncapped players have been included as part of an effort to manage the workload of senior members in the group.
Several standout performers from the global tournament, including Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, have been rested from national duties to “freshen up” following the demanding tour of India.
Balanced Combination for South Africa Series
On Tuesday, March 10, NZC confirmed the squad for the five-match series against the Proteas, which begins on March 15 at the Bay Oval. Santner, along with seven of his teammates from the 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, has been named for the fixtures.
Among the players involved in the World Cup, Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson will feature alongside Santner in the squad for the opening three matches. Ferguson, however, is expected to sit out the series opener.
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Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi will remain available throughout the series, having had comparatively lighter workloads during the tournaments held in India and Sri Lanka.
Top-order batters Katene Clarke and Nick Kelly, along with spinner Jayden Lennox, have been included as potential debutants. Clarke and Lennox have been selected only for the final two matches, while Kelly — a consistent performer for the Wellington Firebirds in recent seasons — will be part of the squad for the entire series.
Returns for Jacobs, Clarkson and Others
South Africa-born New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs has been recalled after missing out on the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Mumbai Indians opener last represented the ‘Black Caps’ during the five-match T20I series in India in January.
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Fast bowler Josh Clarkson also makes his comeback after nearly two-and-a-half years, having last appeared in T20Is in November 2024. Zak Foulkes and Tim Robinson have likewise been brought back into the squad for the upcoming fixtures.
New Zealand squad for T20I series vs South Africa:
Mitchell Santner (c) (matches 1 to 3), Katene Clarke (matches 4 and 5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (matches 4 and 5), Devon Conway (matches 1 to 3), Lockie Ferguson (matches 2 and 3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (matches 4 and 5), Jayden Lennox (matches 4 and 5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith and Ish Sodhi.
Key Players Rested After World Cup Campaign
Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen will miss the series as part of a planned break following the team’s demanding schedule in India. They are joined by fellow World Cup squad members Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry. Henry will spend time at home with his family following the birth of his child.
Rivalry Renewed After World Cup Semi-final
New Zealand and South Africa last faced off in the semifinal of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this month in Kolkata. Pursuing a target of 170 to secure a place in the final, Finn Allen struck an unbeaten century from just 33 balls to guide his side past South Africa’s total of 169.
The forthcoming five-match T20I series will be staged as double-headers, alongside fixtures featuring the New Zealand and South Africa women’s teams.
