New Zealand ring in changes for South Africa T20Is at home
Mitchell Santner will lead in the first three T20Is, while Tom Latham will take over the reins for the final two games.
Fresh off a commanding tournament, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is set to lead a strong squad featuring eight players from their recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa at home.
With several players returning from the World Cup in India, the Black Caps have opted for a larger squad to manage workloads following their run to the final.
New Zealand T20I squad:
Mitchell Santner (c), Katene Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk), Jayden Lennox, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.
Skipper Santner is proud of New Zealand's effort | Final | T20WC 2026
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Top-order batters Katene Clarke and Nick Kelly, along with spinner Jayden Lennox, have earned their call-up for the series, with Clarke and Lennox named only for the fourth and fifth matches.
Clarke’s call-up follows a standout domestic season where he topped the Super Smash run charts with 431 runs, helping Northern Brave claim the title.
Several players from the World Cup squad will feature across the series in a phased manner. Devon Conway will feature in the first three matches, while Lockie Ferguson is available for the second and third games.
Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Cole McConchie, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi are available for the full series.
Dane Cleaver will link up with the squad for the final two matches once Conway departs.
Meanwhile, regulars including Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra have been rested after the World Cup campaign.
The series begins at Bay Oval in Tauranga on Sunday, with matches scheduled as double-headers with the two countries’ respective women’s sides also in action.
Series schedule (T20I double-headers)
1st T20I - Bay Oval, Tauranga, March 15
2nd T20I - Seddon Park, Hamilton, March 17
3rd T20I - Eden Park, Auckland, March 20
4th T20I - Hnry Stadium, Wellington, March 22
5th T20I - Hagley Oval, Christchurch, March 25
