Disclaimer: All match statistics and records mentioned in this article are sourced from publicly available cricket databases including ESPNcricinfo and ICC official records. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to verify specific figures through official sources. This article covers matches up to May 2026.
The india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline stretches from a rain-soaked tour of South Africa in 2001–02 all the way to a historic 2025 World Cup final — and most recently, a 2026 T20I series in South Africa. It’s a story that started quietly and ended (so far!) with India lifting its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup trophy by beating South Africa.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Format | Matches Played | India Won | South Africa Won | No Result/Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s ODI | ~35+ | India leads | SA competitive | A few NR |
| Women’s T20I | ~25+ | India leads | SA competitive | A few NR |
| Women’s Test | 1 (2001) | India Won | — | — |
| World Cup Finals | 1 (2025) | India Won (by 52 runs) | — | — |
Note: Exact cumulative totals vary slightly by database due to warm-up matches. Main source: ESPNcricinfo head-to-head records.
India Women Squad
| Player | Role | Notable Contribution vs SA |
|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | Opener/Batter | 434 runs in 2025 World Cup (vs all teams) |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Captain/Batter | Led India to 2025 WC title |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder | 5/39 in 2025 WC Final vs SA |
| Shafali Verma | Opener/Batter | 87 in 2025 WC Final; 2 wickets too |
| Mithali Raj | Former Captain | Pioneered India’s ODI rise |
| Jhulan Goswami | Former Pacer | Led bowling for a decade |
South Africa Women Squad
| Player | Role | Notable Contribution vs IND |
|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | Captain/Opener | 101 in 2025 WC Final; 92* in 2026 T20I |
| Dane van Niekerk | All-rounder | 4/22 and 57 in 2017 WC match |
| Marizanne Kapp | All-rounder | Consistent performer |
| Lizelle Lee | Batter | 92 in 2017 WC match |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | Spinner | Key wicket-taker in 2026 T20Is |
| Ayabonga Khaka | Pacer | 3/58 in 2025 WC Final |
The 2001–02 Tour
The india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline officially kicked off in the 2001–02 season when the Indian women’s team traveled to South Africa for a tour comprising one Test match and four One Day Internationals.
It was a modest beginning — the kind of tour that doesn’t make front-page headlines but quietly lays the foundation of a historic rivalry.
India won the only Test match of the series — a small but significant victory for the visitors. The ODI series, however, told a different story. South Africa edged India out, winning the four-match ODI series 2–1 with one match being abandoned due to rain. Rain, as it turns out, was the unofficial third team in this series — it washed away more than one match and left results tangled in Duckworth-Lewis calculations.
Still, the tour mattered. Both teams were getting to know each other on the international stage. New players made their debuts on both sides, careers were launched, and a rivalry was quietly born.
Key Takeaway: South Africa won the ODI series 2–1. India won the only Test.
The Quiet Years (2001–2014)
After the 2001–02 series, the two teams didn’t meet very frequently. Women’s cricket globally was still finding its footing — limited broadcast coverage, fewer bilateral series, and an ICC structure that didn’t yet prioritize women’s cricket the way it does today.
During this period, both teams grew independently:
- India was led for much of this era by the legendary Mithali Raj, who became the highest run-scorer in Women’s ODIs and transformed India into a consistent ODI force.
- South Africa was developing their own talent pool and steadily becoming more competitive on the global stage.
Both sides met occasionally at ICC tournaments — World Cups and World T20 events — but extended bilateral series were rare. Think of this as the “getting acquainted” phase of the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline, where both teams were still figuring out their identities.
A Tournament Chapter
By 2014, both teams were participating more prominently in ICC events. The Women’s World T20 was growing in stature, and matches between India Women and South Africa Women at global tournaments began to draw more attention.
India’s spinning arsenal — the likes of Ekta Bisht, Anuja Patil, and later Deepti Sharma — was becoming a genuine weapon. South Africa, meanwhile, had players like Dane van Niekerk emerging as match-winners who could both bat and bowl. These ICC tournament meetings added drama and stakes to the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline in ways that friendly bilateral tours sometimes couldn’t.
The 2017 Women’s World Cup
If there’s one moment in the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline that South African fans will never, ever let go of, it’s July 8, 2017. Venue: Grace Road, Leicester, England.
India entered the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 as one of the favorites — they had been on a brilliant run. South Africa? Many wrote them off as a competitive but limited side.
Nobody told Lizelle Lee and Dane van Niekerk.
South Africa posted a mammoth 273/9 in their 50 overs. Lizelle Lee smashed an extraordinary 92, hitting seven sixes in the process — equaling her own South African record in ODIs. Van Niekerk contributed 57 to keep the scoreboard moving.
Then came the bowling. Van Niekerk — the Swiss Army knife of South African women’s cricket — returned figures of 4 for 22 off 10 overs, using flight, drift, and deception to completely derail India’s chase. India folded for just 158, losing the match by a massive 115 runs.
The loss stung. India, who went into this World Cup dreaming of the title, were brought back to earth hard. The 2017 meeting was a reminder that in this india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline, South Africa could punch way above their weight on any given day.
| 2017 WC Match | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | 273/9 (50 overs) | |
| India Women | 158 (43.5 overs) | South Africa won by 115 runs |
The 2020–21 South Africa Women’s Tour of India
By 2020, women’s cricket had exploded in popularity. The Women’s T20 World Cup Final in 2020 at the MCG drew over 86,000 fans. Women’s cricket was finally getting the spotlight it deserved.
In 2020–21, South Africa toured India for a five-match ODI series — and shocked everyone. South Africa Women won the ODI series 4–1. That is not a typo. South Africa won four out of five ODIs in India.
It was a jarring result for Indian fans who had grown used to India winning at home. South Africa were organized, disciplined, and executed their game plans brilliantly. For the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline, this tour stands out as one of South Africa’s finest hours.
| 2020–21 ODI Series | |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 5 |
| South Africa Won | 4 |
| India Won | 1 |
| Series Winner | South Africa Women |
The 2022 Women’s World Cup
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021/22 held in New Zealand in March 2022 was another stage for the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline to be written.
Both teams competed intensely but it was a difficult tournament for India overall. The 2022 World Cup highlighted the inconsistencies that had plagued India’s middle-order batting — something the team would spend the next three years ironing out.
South Africa, meanwhile, was becoming a genuinely formidable side. Laura Wolvaardt was evolving into one of the best openers in women’s cricket globally. Marizanne Kapp remained a world-class all-rounder. The Proteas were building something.
The 2023–24 Chapter
The india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline witnessed one of its most lopsided chapters in June 2024 when South Africa toured India for a full series — one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
In the one-off Women’s Test played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in late June 2024, India posted a mammoth 603/6 declared — which stands as India Women’s highest-ever Test total. South Africa were then dismissed and India won the Test by a stunning 10 wickets.
The ODI series (June 2024) was equally dominant for India — they swept South Africa 3–0 in Bengaluru:
| Match | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | June 16, 2024 | Bengaluru | India won by 143 runs |
| 2nd ODI | June 19, 2024 | Bengaluru | India won by 4 runs |
| 3rd ODI | June 23, 2024 | Bengaluru | India won by 6 wickets |
The T20I series that followed in early July 2024 (all three matches at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai) was more competitive. Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant batting helped India seal the T20I series as well, finishing the summer with complete dominance.
This 2024 home summer by India in the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline showed that India at home were an almost unstoppable force.
The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final
November 2, 2025. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. A crowd buzzing with anticipation. The final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Two teams. One trophy. And the biggest moment yet in the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline.
India vs South Africa. For the first time ever, both teams met in a Women’s ODI World Cup Final. South Africa had made history just by getting there — it was their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup final appearance. India had been here before (in 2005 and 2017) and knew the heartbreak of falling short.
India bat first: Put into bat, India got off to a flying start. Shafali Verma (87 off 78 balls, her highest-ever ODI score) and Smriti Mandhana built a solid 100-run opening partnership. Mandhana fell for 45, but Verma kept going. Deepti Sharma hit a crucial 58 toward the end. India posted 298/7 off 50 overs — the second-highest total in a Women’s ODI World Cup Final.
South Africa chase: Laura Wolvaardt led the chase with a magnificent century — 101 off 98 balls. She nearly pulled off a miracle. But India’s bowlers were outstanding:
- Shafali Verma took 2 wickets in quick succession (yes, the opener became a bowler!)
- Deepti Sharma turned the tide with a sensational 5/39 — the first ever fifer in a Women’s World Cup Final
- Sree Charani chipped in with key wickets
Harmanpreet Kaur, who had been through two World Cup final heartbreaks before, took the final catch to seal the win — the kind of poetic cricket justice that you couldn’t script.
| 2025 WC Final | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| India Women | 298/7 (50 overs) | |
| South Africa Women | 246 (45.3 overs) | India won by 52 runs |
The 2026 South Africa T20I Tour
| SA vs IND T20I Series 2026 | Result |
|---|---|
| Match 1 | South Africa won |
| Match 2 | South Africa won |
| Match 3 | South Africa won |
| Match 4 | India won |
| Match 5 | South Africa won by 23 runs |
| Series Result | South Africa 4–1 India |
Series-by-Series Summary Table
| Year | Series/Event | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | SA tour by India (Test) | India | Won the Test |
| 2001–02 | SA tour by India (ODI) | South Africa | 2–1 |
| 2017 | ICC Women’s WC | South Africa | Won by 115 runs |
| 2020–21 | SA Women tour of India (ODI) | South Africa | 4–1 |
| 2021 | SA Women tour of India (T20I) | South Africa | 2–1 |
| 2022 | ICC Women’s WC (NZ) | Both competed | — |
| 2024 | SA Women tour of India (Test) | India | Won by 10 wickets |
| 2024 | SA Women tour of India (ODI) | India | 3–0 |
| 2024 | SA Women tour of India (T20I) | India | India won |
| 2025 | ICC Women’s WC Final | India | Won by 52 runs |
| 2026 | IND Women tour of SA (T20I) | South Africa | 4–1 |
Record Performances in This Rivalry
| Record | Player | Match/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Score (Test) | India Women — 603/6 declared | vs SA, Chennai, June 2024 |
| Best Bowling (WC Final) | Deepti Sharma — 5/39 | 2025 WC Final |
| Best Batting (WC Final) | Laura Wolvaardt — 101 | 2025 WC Final |
| Highest Individual (ODI) | Shafali Verma — 87 | 2025 WC Final |
| Best Bowling (WC Match) | Dane van Niekerk — 4/22 | 2017 WC match |
| Highest T20I Score (2026) | Laura Wolvaardt — 92* | 5th T20I, Benoni 2026 |
India Women’s National Team
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Test | October 31, 1976 vs West Indies |
| Governing Body | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
| ICC Status | Full Member |
| Tests Played | 42 (won 8, lost 7, drawn 27) |
| ICC ODI Ranking | 3rd (as of Nov 2025) |
| World Cup Titles | 1 (2025 ODI World Cup) |
| Highest Test Total | 603/6d vs South Africa, Chennai, 2024 |
| Captain | Harmanpreet Kaur (2026) |
South Africa Women’s National Team
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Cricket South Africa (CSA) |
| ICC Status | Full Member |
| ICC ODI Ranking | Top 8 |
| First Women’s WC Final | 2025 (lost to India) |
| Key Players (2026) | Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp |
| First T20I series win in India | March 2021 |
| T20I Series vs India (2026) | Won 4–1 |
The 2026 T20 World Cup Preview
The next major chapter in the india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline is right around the corner. The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be held in England in June–July 2026, and both teams have been placed in the same group.
After South Africa’s dominant 4–1 T20I series win over India on home soil in April–May 2026, the momentum heading into the World Cup seems to favor the Proteas in the T20 format. India will need to find answers quickly — their batting collapsed too often in the 2026 series, and Harmanpreet Kaur’s form will be crucial.
But India are World Cup pedigree now. Defending champions, a settled squad, and the pressure to perform — these are things India women know how to handle.
The india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline is one of cricket’s most fascinating modern stories. It’s grown from a quiet 2001 ODI series to a packed World Cup final, from rain-affected matches in Cape Town to sold-out stands in Navi Mumbai.
FAQs
1. When did India women and South Africa women first play against each other?
The india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline began in 2001–02 when India toured South Africa for one Test and four ODIs. India won the Test while South Africa claimed the ODI series 2–1.
2. Who has won more matches overall between India Women and South Africa Women?
India have won more matches overall, particularly in ODIs where they hold a leading head-to-head record. However, South Africa have been competitive, especially in T20Is and in home conditions.
3. What was the biggest result in the India Women vs South Africa Women rivalry?
The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup Final is the most significant match in this india women’s national cricket team vs south africa women’s national cricket team timeline. India won by 52 runs to claim their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title.
4. Who was the standout performer in the 2025 Women’s World Cup Final?
Two players stood out: Shafali Verma (87 runs + 2 wickets, named Player of the Match) for India, and Deepti Sharma (5/39 — the first-ever fifer in a Women’s World Cup Final). For South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt’s century (101) was exceptional despite being on the losing side.
5. Has South Africa Women ever dominated India Women?
Yes! The 2020–21 ODI series in India is the clearest example — South Africa won 4 out of 5 ODIs in India, followed by a 2–1 T20I series win. More recently, South Africa won the 2026 T20I series 4–1 on home soil.
