Just ten days after meeting in the semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, New Zealand national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team will kick off a five-match T20I series that marks the beginning of their preparations for the 2028 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
The series opener will take place at Bay Oval, with both teams fielding significantly different squads from the sides that clashed in Kolkata during the World Cup. Only four players from that semi-final are part of the squads for this series, highlighting the emphasis on experimentation and future planning.
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, are expected to give opportunities to emerging players such as Tim Robinson and Bevon Jacobs, both of whom are viewed as promising prospects. Jacobs, in particular, will be under the spotlight after a strong domestic T20 season in which he recorded five consecutive half-centuries in the Super Smash.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be captained by Keshav Maharaj, who is set to play his 50th T20 International. The Proteas lineup will feature a number of fresh faces, including Jordan Hermann and Rubin Hermann, while Tony de Zorzi returns after missing the World Cup due to injury.
Fast bowler Ottneil Baartman, who impressed in the SA20 by finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, will also look to strengthen his case for a regular spot in the national team.
With several senior players rested, the five-match series will serve as a crucial audition for young talent from both sides as they aim to build depth and identify key players for the next global event in 2028. 🏏