The international cricket calendar heats up as the South Africa Women’s team arrives in New Zealand for a highly-awaited white-ball series. The White Ferns are set to host the Proteas Women in a series consisting of five T20Is and three ODIs. This tour serves as a vital preparation phase for both nations as they look to solidify their standings in international cricket.

NZ-W vs SA-W: Head-to-Head Record

Past encounters between these two sides have often resulted in closely fought battles. While South Africa has shown great form in the shortest format recently, New Zealand remains a formidable force on their home soil.

Last 5 T20I Encounters

Last 5 ODI Encounters

Full Tour Schedule 2026

The tour begins with the T20I leg, followed by three One Day Internationals which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship cycle.

T20I Series Schedule

1st T20I: 15 March – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
2nd T20I: 17 March – Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd T20I: 20 March – Eden Park, Auckland
4th T20I: 22 March – Sky Stadium, Wellington
5th T20I: 25 March – Hagley Oval, Christchurch

ODI Series Schedule (ICC Women's Championship)

1st ODI: 29 March – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd ODI: 1 April – Basin Reserve, Wellington
3rd ODI: 4 April – Basin Reserve, Wellington

Announced Squads: Team Depth and Analysis

New Zealand has opted for a balanced squad featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and young talent. South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, brings a disciplined unit ready to challenge the local conditions.

New Zealand Women (White Ferns)

Captain: Amelia Kerr
Squad: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Izzy Sharp, Sophie Devine, Nensi Patel, Flora Devonshire (Last 3 T20Is), Isabella Gaze (WK), Polly Inglis (WK), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Bree Illing.

South Africa Women (Proteas Women)

Captain: Laura Wolvaardt
Squad: Tazmin Brits, Suné Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Chloé Tryon, Dané van Niekerk, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Karabo Meso, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayanda Hlubi.

ICC Player Rankings: Top 10 Stars in the Squads (H2)

This series features some of the world's elite women cricketers. Below are the players from the announced New Zealand and South Africa squads who currently hold top 10 positions in the ICC Women’s Player Rankings.

T20I Rankings: Top Performers

ODI Rankings: Top Performers

Keep an eye on the battle between Amelia Kerr and Marizanne Kapp. Both are world-class all-rounders currently dominating the ICC charts, and their individual performances could determine the outcome of the ODI series.

Pitch Conditions and Match Expectations

Cricket grounds in New Zealand typically offer significant assistance to pace bowlers, with lateral movement and consistent bounce being key factors.

While the White Ferns enjoy the home advantage, the Proteas batting lineup possesses the skill to handle high-quality bowling. Spinners might find some grip later in the matches, particularly at venues like Wellington.

Both teams view this series as a chance to climb the rankings and test their bench strength. Fans can expect high-intensity cricket as these two powerhouses of the women’s game go head-to-head.