NZ vs SA 2026: Wiaan Mulder replaces injured Eathan Bosch for T20I series

South Africa all-rounder Eathan Bosch has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand in New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. In his absence, fellow all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been named as his replacement in the 15-member squad for the series, which is scheduled to begin on March 15.

Bosch has so far played just one international match for South Africa, an ODI that came a year ago. The upcoming tour of New Zealand was expected to be an important opportunity for him, as he was in line to make his T20I debut. However, the injury has forced him out of the squad before the start of the series.

Mulder, who replaces Bosch, has considerably more experience at the international level. The all-rounder has featured in 11 T20Is for South Africa and last played in the format against Ireland national cricket team in September 2024. His most recent appearance for the national side came in a Test match played in India last year.

Meanwhile, the South African squad will begin their journey to New Zealand in phases. Team members currently in South Africa are scheduled to depart for New Zealand on March 8. The rest of the squad members and support staff, who are presently in Kolkata following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, will travel directly to New Zealand on the same day.

The players have been stationed in Kolkata because airspace corridors across parts of West Asia were temporarily closed following military conflicts in the region, which disrupted travel routes. The affected teams are expected to depart India over the weekend on charter flights arranged by the International Cricket Council. These flights will also carry members of the England team and the West Indies team.

South Africa’s limited-overs captain Keshav Maharaj will lead the side during the T20I series. The five matches will be played across several venues in New Zealand, starting in Mount Maunganui on March 15, followed by matches in Hamilton on March 17, Auckland on March 20, Wellington on March 22, and Christchurch on March 25.

All fixtures will be played as double-headers, with the men’s T20I matches scheduled to take place after the women’s games at the same venues earlier in the day.

South Africa squad for T20I series in New Zealand

Keshav Maharaj (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, and Jason Smith