Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
White Ferns welcome back veteran stars for T20 series against South Africa
Sport Nation • March 10th, 2026 8:17 am
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine | Photo: Photosport
The White Ferns will be boosted by the return of several key players for their upcoming five-match T20 series against South Africa.
Veterans Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine headline the inclusions, while Georgia Plimmer and Flora Devonshire have also been cleared to return after injury layoffs. Bates (quad), Plimmer (shoulder) and Devonshire (finger) have all completed their rehabilitation ahead of the series opener at Bay Oval on Sunday.
The series will be played as a set of double-headers alongside the New Zealand men's national cricket team and South Africa men’s T20 series, giving fans the chance to watch both international teams in action on the same day.
Melie Kerr sets new benchmark for White Ferns bowlers in ODIs | Scotty & Izzy
Head coach Ben Sawyer said the experience of Bates and Devine - who hasn't featured since October's World Cup in India - would be invaluable as the side builds toward the ICC Women's T20 World Cup later this year.
“It’s exciting to welcome Suzie and Sophie back,” Sawyer said. “Their quality speaks for itself, but their leadership and influence around the group is just as important.”
The 15-player squad will rotate across the series, with Bree Illing and Polly Inglis involved for the first two matches before Flora Devonshire and Lea Tahuhu join the group for the final three games as part of preparations for the upcoming global tournament.
White Ferns T20 squad vs South Africa:
Melie Kerr (C), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu.
