The five-match T20I series is scheduled for March 15 to 26. Besides Maharaj, only two other World Cup participants, spinner George Linde and all-rounder Jason Smith, have been included in the touring squad.
The rest of the roster will consist of promising newcomers including Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester and Jordan Hermann, Eathan Bosch and Nqobani Mokoena. The series also marks the return of Tony de Zorziwho was sidelined due to an injury.
The series will conclude on March 25, just ahead of the Indian Premier League, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on March 26.
Head coach Shukri Conrad emphasized that the series provides a valuable opportunity for younger players to make their mark at international level.
“With this series taking place immediately after the T20 World Cup, the majority of the squad will return home, creating a great opportunity for this group of players to step into the international environment and show what they are all about at this level,” South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad told ESPNcricinfo. “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 batting unit is particularly exciting for this tour. Tony brings top-level experience, while Connor, Dian and Jordan have all shown 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 set-up,” he added.
The decision to include five uncapped players comes in the middle of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, with the tournament concluding on March 8, just a week before the start of the series against New Zealand. The Proteas, led by Aiden Markram, have qualified for the Super 8 stage of the competition.
South African squad for the T20I series in New Zealand
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 and Jason Smith
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