Leicestershire have signed South African all-rounder Ruan de Swardt to replace Nick Kelly, while the New Zealander is on international duty.

De Swardt, 28, slots into a Leicestershire team bottom of their T20 Blast group and replaces their top scorer in the competition this season, with Kelly leading the way with 243 runs in nine games.

Kelly has been called up for New Zealand’s one-day series against the West Indies, which begins in Guyana on July 11.

De Swardt, whose two Test appearances for South Africa came in 2024, joins the Foxes for the remaining three T20 group matches and will remain for their first three One-Day Cup matches at the end of July.

It will be De Swardt’s first season in English cricket, having so far spent his entire first-class and T20 career at home in South Africa.

Leicestershire director of cricket Claude Henderson said De Swardt is a player who can make “an impact” with bat and ball in both white-ball competitions.