Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced a fresh-looking 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, with experienced left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj appointed captain. The five-match series, starting March 15, will be played just a week after the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking a quick turnaround for the Proteas.
Keshav Maharaj to marshal a balanced unit
Maharaj, known for his calm demeanor and tactical sharpness, will spearhead a squad that blends experience with promising young talent. With several frontline players expected to transition directly from World Cup duty into franchise commitments, the selectors have opted to rotate and rest key names.
Only three players currently involved in the World Cup — Maharaj, George Linde, and Jason Smith — will travel onwards to New Zealand. The decision reflects careful workload management, particularly with the IPL scheduled to begin almost immediately after the series concludes on March 25.
For Maharaj, the assignment offers another opportunity to showcase his leadership credentials in the shortest format. Having led domestic and franchise sides before, he now steps into a national role at a crucial juncture as South Africa reshapes its T20 core.
New faces headline the squad
The tour will be particularly special for five uncapped players who have earned their maiden international call-ups: Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Eathan Bosch, and Nqobani Mokoena.
There’s a strong family connection within the group. Jordan Hermann joins his brother Rubin Hermann in the squad, while Eathan Bosch follows in the footsteps of his elder sibling Corbin Bosch. The sibling stories add a heartwarming dimension to the squad announcement and underline the depth of cricketing talent within South Africa’s domestic system.
Among the newcomers, 19-year-old Nqobani Mokoena stands out. The young spinner impressed in the 2026 SA20 season, finishing as the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps for Paarl Royals at an impressive strike rate of 14.76. His inclusion signals South Africa’s intent to groom emerging match-winners in overseas conditions.
Pace firepower returns
Fast bowlers Ottneil Baartman and Gerald Coetzee, both absent from the World Cup squad, have been recalled to add bite to the pace attack. Their inclusion suggests a desire to test different bowling combinations ahead of a packed international calendar.
Tony de Zorzi also makes his return after recovering from injury, providing stability at the top of the order. Alongside experienced campaigners like Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, and Andile Simelane, the squad appears structured to experiment without compromising competitiveness.
South Africa squad for New Zealand T20Is: Keshav Maharaj (captain), 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, Jason Smith.
