The Proteas are excited to get their tour in the Land of the Long White Cloud underway ahead of their first T20 International (T20I) against their respective New Zealand counterparts in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
The double-header action will begin with the Proteas Women’s clash against the White Ferns from 3:45am SAST, before the Proteas Men take on the Black Caps in the second match of the day at 8:15am. Both encounters will be broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Ch. 201).
Speaking ahead of the series opener, Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt shared the team’s mindset heading into the five-match T20I series, highlighting the importance of these games as the team continues to build up towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
“It's great. I think while we're here, we might as well play a couple of extra games, especially with the World Cup right around the corner. That's obviously the main focus, playing as much T20 cricket as we can.
“Five games sort of give you the chance to try a few things as well. You have enough games to tweak a few things here or there. It's a great initiative and hopefully we can win the series,” the skipper commented.
This series will also mark the first time where both South African national teams will play a full series of double-headers against the same nation away from home, a unique experience that Wolvaardt is looking forward to.
“You sort of feel like one big team over here, sharing knowledge and chatting to them. And just seeing how they go about things is cool for me as well. It doesn't happen a lot that you sort of tour side by side but I think it'll be very cool cricket-wise as well to watch their game after ours.”
“Women's cricket has come along in leaps and bounds, and it's wonderful for them to have the stage as well,” said Proteas Men’s stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj.
“They’ve played some amazing cricket and some very exciting cricket games that have gone down to the wire - It's also exciting for us to be able to witness it live.”
Encounters between the Southern Hemisphere sides have long carried an added edge. The last time the Proteas Women faced the White Ferns was in the T20 World Cup 2025 final in Dubai, while the Proteas Men met the Black Caps earlier this month in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India.
“It’s always been a wonderful rivalry. Good cricket played on the field, but there's still that respect that's between both sides,” said Maharaj.
“New Zealand are a really strong side, obviously coming off a really big high coming from India. But I think with the squad that we have, there's a lot of energy within the environment being a lot younger. So hopefully it will be a good, strong series. And fingers crossed we come on top.”
The men’s squad features five uncapped players - Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Nqobani Mokoena and Prenelan Subrayen - but while the tour presents valuable opportunities for new faces, Maharaj emphasised that the ambition to win remains the primary focus.
“We also want to try and win with a really young side. Shuks said the other day, what a story it would be to tell when you get on that flight to go back home and be like, ‘wow, that was amazing and special to be a part of’.”
The opening fixture will also mark Maharaj’s 50th T20I appearance. The ever-present all-format spinner made his T20I debut in 2021 and has since become one of the Proteas’ most dependable performers.
“What’s it been, five years? I made my debut in Sri Lanka as captain and here I am in my 50th,” Maharaj expressed with excitement.
“I've got the same buzz and energy, and I try and stay true to what I do. So that hasn't changed from a preparation point of view, but really excited to lead a really young side and hoping that I can get the best out of them.
“I entered this environment 10 years ago, so I know what it was like to enter as a junior. I've played against some amazing captains, but, you know, Faf always was one that stood out for me in terms of the empathy and care. And I try to emulate that style, not just as a captain, but just from a senior player within the environment, taking guys under my wing and basically just sort of being that father figure to them.”
Proteas Women’s T20I Squad against New Zealand
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province).
Proteas Men’s T20I Squad against New Zealand
Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Connor Esterhuizen (DP World Lions), Dian Forrester (Auto Investments North West Dragons), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (Auto Investments North West Dragons), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).