Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine have returned to New Zealand's T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa. Bates, sidelined with a quad tear, is back after completing rehabilitation, while Flora Devonshire (broken finger) and Georgia Plimmer (shoulder) have also recovered from their respective injuries and return to the squad.

Devine is set to feature for the first time since retiring from the ODI format at the World Cup in India last October as New Zealand continue their preparations to defend their title at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England later this year. Head coach Ben Sawyer said the return of two of the side's most experienced players would strengthen the group both on and off the field.

"We're really excited to welcome back Suzie and Sophie for this next block of games," Sawyer said. “Their quality on the field really does speak for itself but what they bring to the group culturally is really important for us as a team. I'm looking forward to having them mix in with some of the newer members of the squad.”

Sawyer was also pleased to have Plimmer available again after the batter missed most of the recent Zimbabwe series with a shoulder issue. "It was unfortunate to have Georgia miss out on most of the Zimbabwe series with her shoulder, so the whole group is glad to have her back. Her role at the top of the order is a key one and it'll be great to have her back as we continue to build toward that World Cup later in the year."

Devonshire, meanwhile, returns after a frustrating run with injuries that had also ruled her out of the World Cup in India. "Flora had a couple of back-to-back injuries that has kept her out of the squad for the last little while which is never nice as a player. It's really pleasing to be able to have her back in the group, fit and firing for when we need her," Sawyer added.

The 15-player squad will see Bree Illing and Polly Inglis feature in the first two T20Is before making way for Devonshire and Lea Tahuhu for the final three games. Sawyer said the rotation was designed to give more players exposure ahead of the global event later this year.

"As we can only take 13 at a time in our squads, we're having a few moving parts to try and get more of our players involved in what is an important series ahead of the World Cup," he said.

The five-match series will be played as double-headers alongside the men's fixtures between New Zealand and South Africa, with the opening games scheduled at Bay Oval in Tauranga on March 15.

New Zealand squad: Amelia Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire**, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing*, Polly Inglis*, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu**.

*First two T20Is only

**Last three T20Is only