NZ vs SA 2026: Bevon Jacobs, Jordan Hermann ruled out of T20I series with injuries

New Zealand middle-order batter Bevon Jacobs has been ruled out of the second T20I against South Africa with a knee injury, with uncapped Katene Clarke joining the squad as cover.

Jacobs endured an impact injury to his left knee while fielding in the first T20I at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. He left the field and underwent scans which revealed a bruise on the side of his knee. "Further assessment is required to determine Jacobs' return-to-play timeline," New Zealand Cricket said in a release.

Meanwhile, Clarke, the 23-year-old right-handed opener, was the highest run-getter for Northern Districts in their title-winning campaign in the Super Smash, scoring 431 runs in nine innings at an average of 61.57 and a strike rate of 171.71, including a century and three fifties.

Jabobs’ exit adds to the list of injuries in the New Zealand camp, which is also without leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who has been ruled out of the series with a broken thumb.

Jordan Hermann ruled out of remainder of T20I series

New Zealand camp was not alone in terms of losing a player to injury as South Africa batter Jordan Hermann has also been sidelined from the remainder of the five-match T20I series after suffering a right hamstring injury.

Hermann picked up the injury in the field during the first T20I at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and did not return to the field afterwards. He underwent scans, which revealed a grade two tear, ruling him out for at least a few weeks.

South Africa have not announced a replacement for Hermann.

Updated New Zealand squad

Mitchell Santner (c) (games 1-3), Katene Clarke (games 4, 5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk, games 4-5), Devon Conway (wk) (games 1-3), Lockie Ferguson (games 2-3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk, captain for games 4,5), Jayden Lennox (games 4-5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith.

Updated South Africa squad

Keshav Maharaj (c), Ottneil Baartman, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, and Jason Smith.