Injury Forces Eathan Bosch to Miss NZ T20I Series, Wiaan Mulder Steps In
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Johannesburg, March 7 (NationPress) South African all-rounder Eathan Bosch has been sidelined from the forthcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. In his stead, fellow all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been appointed as a replacement in the 15-member squad.
Bosch, who plays for the Dolphins in domestic cricket, has only participated in a single match for South Africa thus far. The 26-year-old was anticipated to make his T20I debut during the series in New Zealand before the injury intervened.
Conversely, Mulder offers valuable international experience, having played 11 T20Is for South Africa. His latest appearance in this format was against Ireland in September 2024. The all-rounder last took the field for South Africa in a Test match in India last year.
The players currently in South Africa are set to depart for New Zealand on March 8. Meanwhile, squad members and team management present in Kolkata, following their exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after losing in the semi-finals, will head directly to New Zealand on the same day.
A number of South African players remained in Kolkata due to temporary airspace closures across parts of West Asia due to military tensions. These affected teams are expected to leave India over the weekend on special charter flights organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), alongside players from England and the West Indies.
South Africa will be captained by Keshav Maharaj in the T20I series, which kicks off on March 15 in Mount Maunganui. The other matches will take place in Hamilton (March 17), Auckland (March 20), Wellington (March 22), and Christchurch (March 25).
All five matches will be part of double-headers, with the men's T20I games scheduled after the women's matches at the same venues earlier in the day.
Squad:
Keshav Maharaj (c), 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, Jason Smith.