New Zealand cricketers were involved in a brawl outside a South African nightclub, the New Zealand Press Associated reported on Friday.

All-rounder Chris Cairns was reportedly felled by a punch from behind, while other members of the team were confronted and jostled in an incident on Thursday night.

Armed security guards, employed to protect the team, intervened and bundled the players into cars which took them back to their Durban hotel.

Cairns suffered a cut mouth. The matter was not reported to police.

New Zealand beat South Africa in Johannesburg last week to jeopardise the home team's chances of making the next stage of the World Cup. The New Zealanders went to Durban for a short break after forfeiting their match against Kenya because of security concerns.