New Zealand vs South Africa T20 series preview : South Africa look to pull one back after world cup disaster.

A pointless, rather absolutely pointless series is in store post a terrific T20 world cup. South Africa and New Zealand lock in a 5 match T20 series as  the hosts will look to extend their dominance over the visitors as they did in that absolutely one sided semi final last week.

While the next T20 world cup is still 2 and half years away, the fine tuning for both New Zealand and South Africa starts immediately as both have a new look squad, especially South Africa where the likes of Wiaan Mulder, Toni De Zorzi, Lutho Sipamla and Gerald Coetzee return to the squad after being left off. The squad has other fresh faces with Keshav Maharaj leading the side as they look to challenge the kiwis in their home den.

The hosts have more or less the same side that played the world cup and Santner will continue to lead them. Ben Sears, Nathan Smith and Zakary Foulkes return to the squad, but the top order and middle order remain strong as they were in the World Cup. The absence of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert gives a chance for players like Tim Robinson and Josh Clarkson to make a mark and be in the reckoning for any upcoming series. 

The IPL is 2 weeks away. The world T20 2 years away. But these 2 teams should give us an enthralling series as both of them have seldom disappointed when they have squared off. The series kicks off at the picturesque bay oval in mount manganui and then the teams travel the length and breath of this beautiful country as they go to Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and finish off in Christchurch. 

South Africa Squad: 

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

New Zealand Squad:

Devon Conway(w), Tim Robinson, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner(c), Bevon Jacobs, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Nick Kelly, Ben Sears, Katene D Clarke, Jayden Lennox, Zakary Foulkes.

                                    Schedule for the 5 match T20 series

March 15 1st Twenty20 international, Mount Maunganui 

March 17 2nd Twenty20 international, Hamilton 

March 20 3rd Twenty20 international, Auckland 

March 22 4th Twenty20 international, Wellington (Henry Stadium) 

March 25 5th Twenty20 international, Christchurch