Such is the impact of South African imports on New Zealand cricket that the Black Caps could select a competitive team made up entirely of them.
Stuff.co.nz’s Ian Anderson has picked an XI that he believes would be good enough to beat the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan and the Netherlands.
It includes five players who have already represented New Zealand – Chad Bowes, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon and Neil Wagner.
Bowes, a hard-hitting opener, became the Black Caps’ latest SA-born cricketer when he made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka last month.
Bowes was born in Benoni, Gauteng, attended Kearsney College in KZN, and captained SA at the U19 World Cup in 2012 before moving to New Zealand. The 30-year-old plays his domestic cricket for Canterbury.
Anderson believes Dean Foxcroft will be the next Saffa to play for the Black Caps – and that the 24-year-old middle-order batsman and off-spin bowler would have done so already had he not been stranded in SA during the Covid-19 lockdown, which lengthened his eligibility period.
Foxcroft, who was born in Pretoria and played for SA U19 at the 2016 World Cup, is currently part of the New Zealand A squad.
Former Northerns Titans fast bowler Wagner has taken 258 wickets for the Black Caps in 63 Tests since making his debut in 2012, but opening batsman Conway is undoubtedly New Zealand’s best South African import.
The former Central Gauteng Lions batsman has an outstanding international record in all three formats.
Conway has scored 1,403 runs in 16 Tests, including a double hundred on debut against England at Lord’s in 2021, at an average of 50.10. He averages 45.81 after 18 ODI appearances, and 45.70 after 38 T20Is with a strike rate of 130.30.
The 31-year-old is currently playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
New Zealand’s South African-born XI: Chad Bowes, Devon Conway, Brad Schmulian, Dean Foxcroft, Glenn Phillips, Dale Phillips, Cole Briggs (wk), Michael Rippon, Neil Wagner, Travis Muller, Ray Toole. 12th man: Louis Delport. Coach: BJ Watling.
