South Africa’s men’s cricket team travels to New Zealand for a five-match T20I series from March 15 to March 25, 2026. The tour takes place across five different venues as part of New Zealand’s packed 2025-26 home season. This series marks an important assignment for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Cricket fans will see two sides fresh from the T20 World Cup looking to test their combinations. South Africa, the 2024 World Cup runners-up led by Aiden Markram, aims to bounce back after narrowly losing the final to India. New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, looks to build on their consistent T20 performances. Both teams will use this series to identify the right players for future white-ball challenges.
Read on for the complete schedule, squad lists, and head-to-head records.
South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 Schedule
The tour kicks off on March 15 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. All T20I matches will be day-night fixtures.
| Date | Match | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, March 15 | 1st T20I | New Zealand vs South Africa | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 7:15 PM NZDT / 4:15 AM SAST |
| Tuesday, March 17 | 2nd T20I | New Zealand vs South Africa | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 7:15 PM NZDT / 4:15 AM SAST |
| Friday, March 20 | 3rd T20I | New Zealand vs South Africa | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:15 PM NZDT / 4:15 AM SAST |
| Sunday, March 22 | 4th T20I | New Zealand vs South Africa | Sky Stadium, Wellington | 7:15 PM NZDT / 4:15 AM SAST |
| Wednesday, March 25 | 5th T20I | New Zealand vs South Africa | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 7:15 PM NZDT / 4:15 AM SAST |
South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 Squad
Here are the expected squads for both teams:
New Zealand Squad
T20I Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie
South Africa Squad
T20I Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs
New Zealand vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records
South Africa holds a strong overall record against New Zealand in T20Is, though New Zealand has shown recent improvement.
T20I Head-to-Head
| Matches | 18 |
|---|---|
| South Africa wins | 11 |
| New Zealand wins | 7 |
| Draw/Tied | 0 |
Last 5 T20I Matches
- New Zealand Won: 4
- South Africa Won: 1
Notable Results
New Zealand beat South Africa by 3 runs in the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series final at Harare on July 26, 2025. Matt Henry delivered a brilliant final over to defend 7 runs as South Africa finished on 177/6 chasing 181.
In the same tri-series, New Zealand won all three matches against South Africa. The Kiwis won by 21 runs in the group stage (July 16) and by 7 wickets (July 22) before clinching the final.
South Africa last beat New Zealand in February 2017 at Eden Park by 78 runs. Since then, New Zealand has dominated the recent encounters.
Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
Fans can catch all the action from the South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 through various platforms:
In New Zealand
| Platform | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Sport | TV Broadcast | Live coverage on Sky Sport channels |
| Sky Sport Now | Live Streaming | Available on Sky Sport Now app and website |
In South Africa
| Platform | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| SuperSport | TV Broadcast | Live coverage on SuperSport channels |
| SuperSport App | Live Streaming | Available on DStv app and SuperSport digital platforms |
In India
| Platform | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Star Sports | TV Broadcast | Live coverage expected |
| JioHotstar | Live Streaming | Available on the JioHotstar app and website |
Other Regions
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket
- USA & Canada: Willow TV
- Australia: Prime Video
- ICC.tv: Available in territories without dedicated broadcast rights
Tickets Information
Tickets for the South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 matches are available through New Zealand Cricket’s official ticketing partners.
- T20I Matches: General admission tickets are priced affordably. Day-night fixtures expected to draw good crowds across all five venues.
- Booking: Purchase tickets through New Zealand Cricket’s official website or at the venue on match days.
- Family Packages: Available at select venues, with group discounts.
Note: Official ticket prices vary by venue. Fans should check New Zealand Cricket’s official website for updates and specific venue information.
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Conclusion: South Africa Tour of New Zealand Starts March 15
South Africa’s men’s team heads to New Zealand in March 2026, and this tour carries real significance for both sides. The Proteas, led by Aiden Markram, want to continue their strong form after reaching the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Key players such as Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje bring pace and experience to the squad.
Five New Zealand cities will host this rivalry over eleven days. New Zealand conditions will test South Africa’s adaptability, especially against quality spin bowling. The hosts will rely on Jacob Duffy, the ICC’s second-ranked T20I bowler, along with veterans like Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. For the Black Caps, this series provides valuable preparation ahead of future assignments. Neither team can afford to take the other lightly.
