Cape Town, Feb 20 (UNI) Keshav Maharaj will lead South Africa in the five-match T20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand, which takes place from March 15-25.
Five uncapped players have been named to the 15-member squad.
Maharaj, who is playing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, is one of the three players from the current squad to feature on the New Zealand tour. George Linde and Jason Smith will also travel to New Zealand for the bilateral series.
“Keshav has experience captaining the Proteas and has led two teams to the SA20 finals,” South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said.
“His leadership and calm presence make him the ideal person to lead this group on this tour. With this series taking place directly after the T20 World Cup, the majority of that squad will return home, which creates a great opportunity for this group of players to step into the international environment and show what they’re about at this level.”
Among the new faces are batters Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, and Jordan Hermann, who have been rewarded for their consistency in domestic T20s, along with all-rounder Eathan Bosch.
Nqobani Mokoena, the 19-year-old pacer who made his breakthrough in the SA20 League this year, has also received a national call-up.
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee makes his return to the T20I side for the first time since featuring for the Proteas against Namibia in October 2025, while batter Tony de Zorzi is also back in the squad following his recovery from a right hamstring injury.
South Africa T20I squad for New Zealand series:
Keshav Maharaj (c), 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.
