Wiaan Mulder In As South Africa Navigate Evacuation From India Ahead Of NZ Tour

Wiaan Mulder and the South Africa cricket team [Source: X]

The South African cricket team is currently stranded in Kolkata after their T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Final clash against New Zealand. The Proteas have been eliminated from the tournament, but look forward to facing their nemesis for the same in a T20I tour that is scheduled from March 15.

Interestingly, the Proteas squad for the tour have already been revealed with a latest confirmation adding Wiaan Mulder as the replacement for Eathan Bosch. Cricket South Africa shared the massive update on an official statement announcing Wiaan Mulder’s addition and the state of cricketers trapped in Kolkata due to the current geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Why South African Players Are Trapped In Kolkata?

The whole of the Proteas cricket team, alongside West Indies and England, are currently stuck in India due to the closure of widespread international airspace following the escalation of military conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

After the Proteas faced a loss against New Zealand on March 4, they were scheduled to depart from the country. However, the usual transit routes through Dubai were suspended.

Hence, the team is currently unable to fly. The ICC have now arranged chartered flights to evacuate the players. 

Though no confirmed timeline has been shared by the governments on when the players will travel, the media release that Proteas men CSA shared on their official social media handle gave a major hint on how they can join the New Zealand tour starting 8 days from now.

Also Read: ICC Confirms Daren Sammy’s WI Travel Date Amid Tensions; Plans For SA, England Safe Trips

Cricket South Africa’s Official Update Hints Travel Plans

The social media handle of Proteas Cricket shared that out of the 15-member squad for the New Zealand tour, those who are present in the country will travel from the OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, 8 March.

Meanwhile, squad members and management staff who are presently in Kolkata will travel directly to New Zealand on the same day, hinting that arrangements have been made to successfully lift off the Proteas players on the March 8 flight.

“The team will depart for New Zealand from OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, 8 March, while members of the squad and management currently in Kolkata will travel directly to New Zealand on the same day,” the statement read.

The statement also noted that further notifications on the Kolkata lift off will be communicated accordingly. “Travel arrangements for the T20 World Cup squad members returning to South Africa are currently being finalised in consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Further details will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.

Wiaan Mulder Addition Bolsters Proteas Strength Against The Kiwis

Speaking of the primary update that the Proteas men intended, was the addition of Mulder as Eathan Bosch has been ruled out of the entire T20I series against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury.

The all-rounder Bosch has been a key player in domestic cricket, where he has featured in 49 first-class clashes, amassing 118 wickets and 1603 runs. However, if he had featured in the T20I series, it would have been his debut series for the nation.

Nevertheless, with him being ruled out, now Wiaan Mulder, one of the most effective all-rounders South Africa has produced, will be featuring in place of him.

With over 100 runs and 8 wickets to his name in T20I matches and a solid strike rate in both the batting and bowling departments, Mulder bolsters the already strong squad led by Keshav Maharaj alongside names like Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, George Linde, and Prenelan Subrayen.

Updated South Africa Squad for New Zealand tour- Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Rubin Hermann, Jordan Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen

Also Read: India vs New Zealand Live Streaming Final, T20 World Cup 2026 Live Telecast- When And Where To Watch