Mount Maunganui, March 14 – South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said that every game of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand is intended to maximize playing opportunities in preparation for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, to be held in England from June 12 to July 5.
The Proteas women will begin the series against the White Ferns on Sunday in Mount Maunganui in an afternoon game, followed by their male counterparts playing against each other in the evening.
“It’s great. I think while we’re here, we should play a few extra games, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. That's obviously the main focus – playing as much T20 cricket as possible.
“Five games give us the chance to try a few things. We have enough games to make some adjustments. It’s a great initiative, and hopefully, we can win the series,” said Wolvaardt on the eve of the series opener, in a statement from Cricket South Africa (CSA).
This arrangement is part of a historic double-header that marks the first time both South African teams are playing a full series of back-to-back games against the same nation, which has excited Wolvaardt.
“You feel like one big team here, sharing knowledge and chatting with them. And it’s cool to see how they approach things. It's not common to tour side by side, but I think it will be very exciting to watch their game after ours,” she said.
Stand-in men’s captain Keshav Maharaj echoed the sentiment surrounding the rise of women’s cricket worldwide. “Women’s cricket has progressed significantly, and it’s wonderful for them to have this opportunity. They have played some amazing cricket and exciting games that have gone down to the wire. It’s also exciting for us to witness it live.”
The last time the Proteas Women faced the White Ferns was in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Dubai, where the latter won the trophy. Meanwhile, the Proteas Men met the Blackcaps earlier this month in the semi-final of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in Kolkata, where they lost by nine wickets.
The Proteas Men’s squad features five uncapped players – Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Nqobani Mokoena, and Prenelan Subrayen. “It has always been a wonderful rivalry. Good cricket is played on the field, but there is still respect between both sides.
“New Zealand is a very strong team, coming off a recent victory in India. But I think with the squad we have, there’s a lot of energy within the environment, with many young players. So hopefully, it will be a strong series.
“And fingers crossed, we can win. We also want to try and win with a young side. Shuks said the other day, what a story it would be to tell when you get back home and say, ‘wow, that was amazing and special to be a part of,’” added Maharaj.
The opening game on Sunday will also mark Maharaj’s 50th T20I appearance. He made his T20I debut in 2021 and has since become one of the Proteas’ most reliable players. “It’s been five years. I made my debut in Sri Lanka as captain, and here I am in my 50th. I have the same energy and passion, and I try to stay true to what I do.
“So that hasn't changed from a preparation point of view, but I’m really excited to lead a young side and hope that I can get the best out of them. I entered this environment 10 years ago, so I know what it was like to be a junior. I’ve played against some amazing captains, but Faf always stood out for me in terms of empathy and care.
“And I try to emulate that style, not just as a captain, but also as a senior player, taking young players under my wing and basically being a father figure to them,” concluded Maharaj.