New Zealand Women have announced their T20I squad for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa. The two teams will face each other in two formats during the tour, with the series consisting of five T20 Internationals (T20Is) followed by three One Day Internationals (ODIs). The tour will begin on March 15, 2026, and will give both sides an opportunity to test their combinations and build momentum.
The rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa has been fairly competitive over the years. In T20Is, the two sides have faced each other 17 times, with New Zealand winning 12 matches. South Africa have managed four wins, while one match ended with no result. In the ODI format, the contest has been much closer. Out of 21 matches played, New Zealand have won 12 while South Africa have secured 9 victories.
New Zealand’s squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talent. All-rounder Amelia Kerr will lead the side, while experienced campaigners such as Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine add valuable experience and leadership to the group. Their presence provides stability to the batting lineup and balance to the team. While Bates returns from injury, missing the ongoing Zimbabwe series, Devine is set for her first series since the 2025 World Cup and retirement from ODIs.
One of the notable inclusions in the squad is opening batter Georgia Plimmer. She had suffered a shoulder injury during the T20I series against Zimbabwe and subsequently missed the ODI series that followed. However, she has now been declared fit and is set to make her return to the side for the upcoming matches against South Africa.
The squad also includes players such as Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday, who strengthen the middle order, while Isabella Gaze will take up the wicketkeeping duties. In the bowling department, New Zealand will rely on the experience of Lea Tahuhu and Rosemary Mair, supported by Jess Kerr and Nensi Patel.
There will also be a few changes across the T20I series. Flora Devonshire will join the squad for the last three T20Is, while Bree Illing and Polly Inglis are included for the first two matches. Lea Tahuhu will also feature in the last three T20Is of the series.
The T20I series will begin on 15 March, followed by the ODI series, scheduled starting on 29 March.
New Zealand v South Africa Schedule
1st T20I – 15th March: Bay Oval (7:15 AM IST)
2nd T20I – 17th March: Seddon Park (7:15 AM IST)
3rd T20I – 20th March: Eden Park (7:15 AM IST)
4th T20I – 22nd March: Sky Stadium (7:15 AM IST)
5th T20I – 25th March: Hagley Oval (7:15 AM IST)
1st ODI – 29th March: Hagley Oval (3:30 AM IST)
2nd ODI – 1st April: Basin Reserve (6:30 AM IST)
3rd ODI – 4th April: Basin Reserve (6:30 AM IST)
New Zealand Women squad for South Africa series 2026:
Amelia Kerr (C), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire (last three T20Is only), Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing (first two T20Is only), Polly Inglis (first two T20Is only), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu (last three T20Is only)
New Zealand will look to make the most of their home conditions and continue their strong record against South Africa, while the visitors will aim to challenge the hosts and improve their head-to-head numbers in both formats during the tour.
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