Rassie van der Dussen will captain the side, which features four maiden T20I call-ups. Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann and Senuran Muthusamy may get a run in the series.
Both Pretorius and Hermann were among the breakout stars of the 2025 edition of the Betway SA20 for Paarl Royals.
Pretorius finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 397 runs at a strike rate of more than 166, including a blistering 97 off 51 balls against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Batting at number three, Hermann recorded 333 runs at a strike rate of 128.08 and an equally impressive average of 41.43. Bosch, who is already capped in One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Tests, played a key role in MI Cape Town's maiden SA20 title-winning campaign last season, taking 11 wickets in eight matches.
Meanwhile, Muthusamy is one of three frontline spinners in the squad, alongside George Linde and Nqaba Peter.
Dewald Brevis makes his return to the T20I setup, having last featured in two matches against Australia in 2023.
The bowling unit is bolstered by the return of fast bowlers Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee. Burger is back in the national setup for the first time since October after recovering from a lumbar stress fracture, while Coetzee, now fully fit following a groin injury, last played for the Proteas in November.
The tri-series also marks Conrad's first T20I assignment since being appointed as the senior men's all-format head coach. The squad will assemble for a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 9-10 July under the guidance of SA A head coach Wandile Gwavu, before departing for Harare on 11 July.
South Africa will open the tri-series against Zimbabwe on 14 July at Harare Sports Club.
"This T20I tri-series marks the start of our preparation for next year's T20 World Cup," said Conrad.
"With several senior players rested as part of their workload management, it creates space for these players to step in and show what they can offer, and bring them into contention for World Cup selection.
"Lhuan-dre and Rubin have been rewarded for their outstanding domestic form in the SA20 and we're excited to see how they adapt to the demands of international cricket. We know what Corbin has to offer at this level and we are keen to see how his Test and ODI skills will translate to the T20I arena.
"Having three quality spin options gives us a great deal of variety, especially in conditions like Harare. Senuran has been impressive in the domestic setup and his ability to contribute with the bat adds great balance to the squad.
"Rassie has led the side before and brings experience to the role, while providing valuable support to the younger players on this tour."
South Africa Squad - T20I Tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand
Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane.
All fixtures at Harare Sports Club
Monday, 14 July - 13:00
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
Wednesday, 16 July - 13:00
South Africa vs New Zealand
Friday, 18 July - 13:00
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
Sunday, 20 July - 13:00
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
Tuesday, 22 July - 13:00
New Zealand vs South Africa – Harare Sports Club
Wiaan Mulder insists the Proteas will reset and refocus for the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe, that starts in Bulawayo on Saturday, following the glorious WTC final victory and the celebrations that followed.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that the Proteas men and women's teams will play a five-match T20I series of double-headers in New Zealand in March 2026.
Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons says his team is looking forward to testing themselves against world champions South Africa in the two-match Test series thats gets underway in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series in Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury with Keshav Maharaj set to lead the national side.
