Historic Double-Headers: South Africa to Play Simultaneous Men's and Women's T20 Series in New Zealand

In a groundbreaking move for international cricket, both the men's and women's teams of South Africa will play on the same day and at the same venue during a bilateral series against New Zealand in March 2026 — the first-ever double-header format in bilateral cricket history.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) jointly announced that the five-match T20I series will take place from March 15 to 25, 2026, across five premier venues in New Zealand. Each matchday will feature two games: the White Ferns vs. Proteas Women in the afternoon, followed by the Black Caps vs. Proteas Men in the evening.

🗓️ Double-Header Schedule (T20Is):

• March 15 – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

• March 17 – Seddon Park, Hamilton

• March 20 – Eden Park, Auckland

• March 22 – Sky Stadium, Wellington

• March 25 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch

• 🕑 Women’s match: 2:45 PM (local time)

• 🌙 Men’s match: 7:15 PM (local time)

Following the T20I series, the Proteas Women will play a three-match ODI series, which will be part of the second round of the ICC Women’s Championship, and contribute to qualification for the 2029 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

🗓️ Women’s ODI Series Schedule:

• March 29 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch

• April 1 & 4 – Basin Reserve, Wellington

CSA’s Director of Cricket and High Performance, Enoch Nkwe, hailed the initiative as a potential blueprint for future global tours. “This series marks a new chapter in our relationship with New Zealand Cricket. Hosting both men’s and women’s matches on the same day not only optimizes the fan experience but also reinforces our commitment to equality and innovation in the sport.”

He also emphasized the series' importance in preparation for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, calling it a "crucial part of our planning."

Adding to the fan excitement, a single ticket will grant access to both matches on a given day. Tickets will go on sale in August 2025 via New Zealand Cricket’s official website.