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The South Africa women’s national cricket team vs India women’s national cricket team matches have become an important rivalry in international women’s cricket. Both teams have produced outstanding batters, world-class bowlers, memorable tournament performances, and closely contested bilateral series across Test, ODI, and T20 international cricket.
India historically held the advantage in this rivalry, particularly in Test cricket and One Day Internationals. However, South Africa have grown into a formidable opponent, especially in T20 cricket, where their power hitters and experienced bowling attack have delivered several important victories.
One of the biggest milestones came in November 2025, when India defeated South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final to claim their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title. South Africa subsequently recorded a series of T20I victories over India in April 2026, demonstrating the increasingly competitive nature of the matchup.
South Africa Women vs India Women Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have competed in all three major international formats. India have maintained a strong record in Tests and ODIs, while T20 internationals have become much more evenly balanced.
| Format | Matches | India Women wins | South Africa Women wins | Draws / No results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test cricket | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI cricket | 35 | 21 | 13 | 1 no result |
| T20I cricket | 25 | 11 | 11 | 3 no results |
| Overall | 63 | 35 | 24 | 4 no results |
The figures reflect the historical record through the June 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup meeting. The combined total includes one ODI and three T20Is with no result.
India have been particularly successful in Test cricket, winning all three completed matches against South Africa. The ODI format has also favoured India overall, although South Africa have secured important victories in bilateral series and major tournaments.
T20 cricket is the closest contest between the sides. Both teams have recorded 11 victories in the 25 meetings included in this record.
South Africa Women vs India Women Matches Timeline
The following timeline highlights important meetings and turning points in the rivalry.
| Year | Match or event | Result or significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | First ODI meeting | India and South Africa began their women’s ODI rivalry |
| 2002 | First women’s Test meeting | India won the inaugural Test between the teams |
| 2014 | First T20I meeting | The rivalry expanded into the shortest international format |
| 2018 | T20I series in South Africa | India recorded a series victory |
| 2021 | ODI series in South Africa | India won the bilateral ODI series 4–1 |
| 2023 | T20I series in South Africa | India won the series 2–1 |
| June 2024 | ODI series in India | India completed a 3–0 series sweep |
| June–July 2024 | One-off Test in Chennai | India won by 10 wickets |
| October 2024 | T20I series in India | India won the series 3–0 |
| May 2025 | Women’s ODI tri-series | Both teams met in preparation for the World Cup |
| October 2025 | Women’s ODI World Cup group stage | South Africa defeated India by three wickets |
| November 2, 2025 | Women’s ODI World Cup final | India won by 52 runs |
| April 2026 | Five-match T20I series in South Africa | South Africa won the series 4–1 |
| June 21, 2026 | Women’s T20 World Cup | South Africa defeated India by six wickets |
These matches illustrate the development of the rivalry from India’s early advantage to a more competitive modern contest, particularly in T20 cricket.
1997: The Beginning of the Women’s ODI Rivalry
The first women’s ODI between India and South Africa took place on December 22, 1997, during the Women’s Cricket World Cup in India.
The meeting marked an important step in the development of South African women’s international cricket following the country’s return to international competition. India had already established a strong women’s cricket structure, while South Africa were building experience against established international opponents.
The teams continued to meet in subsequent tournaments and bilateral series. Over time, South Africa improved their batting depth and bowling resources, helping establish the competitive rivalry seen today.
2002: India and South Africa Meet in Test Cricket
India and South Africa played their first women’s Test match in March 2002.
The match was an important milestone for both teams because Test cricket offered an opportunity to demonstrate technique, patience, and tactical adaptability over several days.
India won the encounter, beginning a record of success in the format against South Africa. The teams later met in Test cricket again in 2014 and 2024, with India winning those matches as well.
Although women’s Test cricket is played less frequently than ODIs and T20Is, the matches between India and South Africa remain notable milestones in their international history.
2018: India Strengthen Their T20I Record
India and South Africa developed a more regular T20I rivalry as women’s international cricket expanded.
India’s performances during the late 2010s demonstrated the team’s ability to combine technically sound batting with effective spin bowling. Players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and other members of India’s batting lineup helped establish a strong foundation in the shortest format.
South Africa also developed dangerous T20 players, including experienced batters and versatile all-rounders. Their growing depth made future meetings increasingly competitive.
The rivalry gained additional attention as both teams began treating T20 internationals as important preparation for ICC tournaments.
2021: India Win the ODI Series in South Africa
India toured South Africa in March 2021 for a five-match women’s ODI series.
India won the series 4–1, producing a strong overall performance away from home. Their batting lineup built competitive totals, while the bowling attack consistently took wickets at important moments.
South Africa managed a victory during the series, showing that they could compete against India on their own ground. However, India maintained control of most of the matches and demonstrated their strength in the 50-over format.
The tour was an important part of India’s preparation for future international competitions and reinforced their advantage in ODI cricket.
2023: India Win the T20I Series in South Africa
India, South Africa, and West Indies participated in a T20I tri-series in South Africa in early 2023, providing valuable preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
India and South Africa met during the competition, and India recorded important victories on their way to the final.
The tournament highlighted India’s experience in managing T20 matches and South Africa’s growing ability to challenge high-ranked opponents. Both sides benefited from testing their combinations in home-like conditions before the World Cup.
The competition also increased the importance of the rivalry in the shortest format, where small differences in batting execution and death bowling can determine the outcome.
June 2024: India Sweep the ODI Series 3–0
One of the most dominant performances in the South Africa Women vs India Women timeline came during South Africa’s tour of India in June 2024.
India won all three ODIs, demonstrating their strength in familiar conditions. The series included victories by 143 runs, four runs, and six wickets.
The second ODI was particularly close, with India securing a narrow four-run victory. South Africa challenged the hosts, but India’s players executed their plans effectively in the decisive overs.
The series also showcased India’s batting depth and ability to recover from pressure. For South Africa, it was a difficult tour, although their performances offered valuable experience ahead of subsequent international tournaments.
July 2024: India Win the One-Off Test by 10 Wickets
India and South Africa played a one-off women’s Test at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in June 2024, with the match concluding on July 1.
India dominated the contest and won by 10 wickets. They scored a record-breaking 603/6 declared in their first innings, with Shafali Verma making 205 and Smriti Mandhana contributing 149.
South Africa produced a strong batting performance of their own, with Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Sune Luus among the important contributors during the match.
India’s substantial first-innings lead put South Africa under pressure, and the hosts eventually completed a comprehensive victory. The match became one of the most memorable Test encounters in women’s cricket and underlined India’s strength in the longer format.
October 2024: India Complete a 3–0 T20I Series Sweep
India hosted South Africa for a three-match T20I series in July 2024, following the ODI and Test fixtures. India won the series 1–0, with the other two matches ending without a result. The teams later played another T20I series in India in October 2024.
In the October series, India won all three matches. Their performances reflected an aggressive batting approach combined with disciplined bowling and effective fielding.
The results helped India maintain their advantage in the T20I head-to-head record at that point. However, South Africa continued improving and would later produce stronger performances in T20 cricket.
2025: South Africa Defeat India in the Women’s ODI World Cup Group Stage
India and South Africa met in the group stage of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on October 9.
India batted first and scored 251, but South Africa successfully chased the target, winning by three wickets. The result was important for South Africa’s tournament campaign and demonstrated their ability to defeat India in a major ODI competition.
The match also provided a preview of the final that would take place a few weeks later. Both teams possessed strong batting lineups and experienced bowlers, making them serious contenders for the championship.
South Africa’s group-stage victory gave them confidence, but India would ultimately have the final word in the tournament.
November 2025: India Win Their First Women’s ODI World Cup
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final between India and South Africa took place on November 2 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
India batted first and scored 298/7 in 50 overs. Shafali Verma led the innings with 87 runs from 78 balls, while Deepti Sharma contributed valuable runs and later produced a decisive bowling performance.
South Africa fought hard in the chase, but India consistently took wickets and restricted their opponents to 246. Deepti Sharma claimed five wickets for 39 runs, helping India win by 52 runs.
The victory gave India their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title. It was a historic achievement for Indian women’s cricket and an especially significant result because South Africa had beaten India earlier in the group stage.
The final became one of the defining matches in the history of this rivalry.
April 2026: South Africa Win the T20I Series 4–1
South Africa hosted India for a five-match women’s T20I series in April 2026.
South Africa won the first three matches, India responded with a victory in the fourth, and South Africa won the fifth to complete a 4–1 series triumph.
The series featured aggressive batting from South Africa’s top order and effective use of their bowling options. India produced a strong response in the fourth match but were unable to reverse the overall result.
The outcome was notable because it demonstrated South Africa’s strength in T20 cricket after India’s success in the 2025 ODI World Cup final.
The series also changed the recent momentum in the rivalry, giving South Africa a significant confidence boost ahead of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
June 2026: South Africa Beat India in the Women’s T20 World Cup
India and South Africa met again on June 21, 2026, in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group stage at Old Trafford in Manchester.
India scored 158/7 after being asked to bat first. South Africa chased the target successfully, reaching 161/4 in 19.1 overs to win by six wickets.
Marizanne Kapp was the standout performer, scoring 81 from 45 balls and contributing with the ball as well. Her innings helped South Africa control the chase and secure an important tournament victory.
The result reinforced South Africa’s strong form in T20 cricket and added another major contest to the rivalry. It also highlighted the difference between the teams’ recent performances in the ODI and T20 formats.
Key Players in South Africa Women vs India Women Matches
Several players have played important roles in shaping the rivalry across different formats.
| Player | Team | Major contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | Experienced batter and influential leader |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | Consistent top-order batter across formats |
| Shafali Verma | India | Scored 87 in the 2025 ODI World Cup final |
| Deepti Sharma | India | Took 5/39 in the 2025 World Cup final |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | India | Important middle-order batter |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Leading batter and captain |
| Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | Influential all-rounder with bat and ball |
| Sune Luus | South Africa | Experienced batter and all-round option |
| Tazmin Brits | South Africa | Aggressive opening batter in limited-overs cricket |
| Nadine de Klerk | South Africa | All-rounder capable of contributing in pressure situations |
These players represent the quality and depth of both teams. India have often relied on batting consistency and spin bowling, while South Africa have benefited from powerful batting, pace bowling, and the all-round ability of players such as Marizanne Kapp.
South Africa Women vs India Women: Which Team Has the Better Record?
India have the stronger overall record across the three formats covered in this article. They have won all three women’s Tests against South Africa and hold a substantial advantage in ODIs.
However, the T20I record is evenly balanced, with both teams winning 11 matches through June 2026. South Africa’s 4–1 T20I series victory in April 2026 and their subsequent World Cup win demonstrated their growing strength in the format.
India’s 2025 ODI World Cup final victory remains the defining achievement of the recent rivalry. South Africa’s earlier group-stage win and their 2026 T20I performances, however, show that the two teams remain closely matched in limited-overs cricket.
The overall picture is one of a rivalry becoming more competitive, with results increasingly shaped by conditions, player form, and performance under pressure.
Conclusion
The South Africa women’s national cricket team vs India women’s national cricket team matches have developed into a major rivalry in women’s international cricket.
India have historically held the advantage, particularly in Test cricket and ODIs. Their 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup triumph was a historic achievement, while South Africa have demonstrated their strength through recent T20I and World Cup victories.
With talented players on both sides and competitive matches across all three formats, future encounters between India Women and South Africa Women are likely to remain major events on the international cricket calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did South Africa Women and India Women first play each other?
Their first women’s ODI meeting took place on December 22, 1997, during the Women’s Cricket World Cup in India.
2. Which team has won more matches between South Africa Women and India Women?
India have won more matches overall. Through June 2026, the recorded head-to-head across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is stands at 35 wins for India and 24 for South Africa, with four matches ending without a result.
3. Who won the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final between India and South Africa?
India won the final by 52 runs on November 2, 2025. India scored 298/7, while South Africa were dismissed for 246.
4. What was the result of the 2026 T20I series between India Women and South Africa Women?
South Africa won the five-match T20I series 4–1 in April 2026. They won the first three matches, India won the fourth, and South Africa claimed the fifth.
5. Who was the standout performer in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup match between India and South Africa?
Marizanne Kapp was the standout performer on June 21, 2026. She scored 81 from 45 balls and helped South Africa defeat India by six wickets.
