The Bay Oval's international cricket stocks continue to rise with two Black Caps matches against South Africa at Mount Maunganui this October – an international first for the venue.

New Zealand Cricket this week released the itinerary for the ANZ International Series with South Africa, with the two sides playing three one-dayers over Labour weekend.

Kane Williamson during the Black Caps summer series against India.

Bay Oval will host the first two ODI's on October 21 and October 24 before the final match at Hamilton's Seddon Park on October 27.

This is the first time Mount Maunganui will host international cricket.

New Zealand Cricket head of cricket Lindsay Crocker says the Mount Maunganui venue ticks all the boxes after impressing during the Cricket World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

He concedes Bay Oval got the nod as many of the preferred venues are out of the equation due to their use as rugby grounds in the tail end of the ITM Cup at that time of year.

'It was felt Bay Oval was going to give as a good chance as we were going to get to explore the window.

'We hope to make that window a success and attract other matches in that time of the year,” says Lindsay.

'It's a new window for us in October, we have never played international cricket there at all, mainly because the spring climate is not being particularly conducive.”

He adds the Bay of Plenty climate is key with the 'holiday” style venue offering a new dimension to NZ Cricket's international portfolio, catering for people and families while on holiday.

'It's a type of ground that suits the holiday mood. It's not a stadium ground so you couldn't compare it to a MCG or Eden Park.

'It certainly fills a niche holiday atmosphere and the carnival type feel rather than a spectacular high profile event.”