Black Caps v South Africa: World Cup stars rested as New Zealand name rotated squad for T20 series

A heavily rotated Black Caps squad has been named for this month’s Twenty20 International series against South Africa, missing the bulk of the side that reached the final of the World Cup earlier this week.

Eight members of New Zealand’s squad that were beaten by India on Monday will miss the series, through a mixture of rest and family commitments.

Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips and Jacob Duffy have been allowed to skip the series for time off before the Indian Premier League (IPL), while Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman will do the same to refresh for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Matt Henry will spend time at home with his newborn, who arrived during the World Cup, before he too plays in the IPL.

However, eight players involved in the Black Caps’ World Cup squad have been named.

White-ball skipper Mitchell Santner will lead the side for games one through three, alongside Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson, before they miss games four and five to rest.

Test captain Tom Latham will replace Santner to lead in the final two matches.

Other World Cup squad members Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi have been named for all five matches.

With the gaps left by the absence of the World Cup squad, the Black Caps will get the chance to test their bench strength against an also-weakened South African side.

Wellington batter Nick Kelly has the chance to add T20 Internationals (T20I) to his One-Day International (ODI) debut made last year, and has been picked for the entire series.

After topping the Super Smash run charts, Northern Brave opener Katene Clarke can make his international debut when he joins the squad for games four and five.

Fresh from standing out in the Black Caps’ 2-1 ODI series win over India, Jayden Lennox can also make his T20I debut and will take Santner’s place for games four and five.

Allrounder Josh Clarkson is also back in the international side, having not played for the Black Caps since early 2024.

The Black Caps’ five-match series comes as a double-header with the White Ferns against South Africa across all five games.

South Africa have also named a rotated side, to allow players time to recharge for franchise commitments.

Black Caps Twenty20 squad

Mitchell Santner (c) (games 1-3), Katene Clarke (games 4-5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (games 4-5), Devon Conway (games 1-3), Lockie Ferguson (games 2-3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (c, games 4-5), Jayden Lennox (games 4-5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.

Unavailable through injury: Michael Bracewell (calf), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Blair Tickner (ankle).

Black Caps v South Africa schedule

First T20, Sunday March 15, 7.15pm, Bay Oval

Second T20, Tuesday March 17, 7.15pm, Seddon Park

Third T20, Friday March 20, 7.15pm, Eden Park

Fourth T20, Sunday March 22, 7,15pm, Hnry Stadium

Fifth T20, Wednesday March 25, 7.15pm, Hagley Oval

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.