Keshav Maharaj will captain a 15-man Proteas squad featuring five uncapped players in a five-match T20I series in New Zealand from 15-25 March.
The new faces are batsmen Connor Esterhuizen (Lions), Dian Forrester (Dragons) and Jordan Hermann (Warriors), all-rounder Eathan Bosch (Dolphins), and fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins).
The 19-year-old Mokoena enjoyed a breakthrough season and finished as one of the leading wicket-takers in the SA20 while playing for the Paarl Royals.
Maharaj is one of three players currently involved in the T20 World Cup, with fellow left-arm spinner George Linde and Jason Smith, named in the touring party.
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 batsman Tony de Zorzi is back in the squad following his recovery from a right hamstring injury.
The series will be played as double-headers, with the Proteas Women taking to the field in the afternoon before the men’s encounter in the evening across all five matches – a first for the senior national teams.
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“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,” said coach Shukri Conrad.
“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 experience to the top order, while Connor, Dian and Jordan have all demonstrated 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 setup.”
Proteas T20I squad: Keshav Maharaj (c, Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Eathan Bosch (Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Connor Esterhuizen (Lions), Dian Forrester (Dragons), Jordan Hermann (Warriors), Rubin Hermann (Dragons), George Linde (Western Province), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Andile Simelane (Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins), Jason Smith (Dolphins).
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New Zealand vs Proteas T20I series (all matches 9:15am SA time)
Sunday, 15 March: 1st T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Tuesday, 17 March: 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton
Friday, 20 March: 3rd T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
Sunday, 22 March: 4th T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wednesday, 25 March, 5th T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Photo: Sportzpics
