The India Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team timeline is a fascinating story of growing competition across women’s Test cricket, ODIs, T20Is, and ICC tournaments. The two teams have faced each other regularly since South Africa’s return to women’s international cricket, with their rivalry becoming particularly prominent in the 21st century.
India have traditionally been a strong force in women’s cricket, while South Africa have developed into one of the leading teams in the women’s game. Their encounters have produced close World Cup matches, multi-format bilateral series, and several landmark performances.
One of the biggest chapters came in 2025, when India defeated South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final to win their first-ever women’s ODI World Cup title. South Africa had also beaten India earlier in that same tournament, making their 2025 campaign particularly memorable.
India Women vs South Africa Women Timeline
| Year | Competition/Format | Major Moment |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | Women’s cricket | India and South Africa establish their modern international rivalry |
| 2000s | ODIs | Regular bilateral meetings become more frequent |
| 2014 | Women’s Test cricket | South Africa play India in a Test in Mysore |
| 2017 | Women’s World Cup | India defeat South Africa in the group stage |
| 2018 | Women’s T20 World Cup | India defeat South Africa in the group stage |
| 2021 | Women’s Test/ODIs | India and South Africa play a multi-format series |
| 2022 | Women’s World Cup | South Africa defeat India in a dramatic group match |
| 2023 | T20I/ODI cricket | India and South Africa continue their bilateral rivalry |
| 2024 | Multi-format series | India host South Africa in ODIs, a Test and T20Is |
| 2025 | ODI Tri-Series | India and South Africa meet twice in Sri Lanka |
| 2025 | Women’s World Cup | South Africa defeat India in league stage |
| 2025 | Women’s World Cup Final | India defeat South Africa by 52 runs |
| 2026 | Women’s T20 World Cup | South Africa defeat India by six wickets |
| 2026 | Future series | India scheduled to tour South Africa in December |
Early Years: Establishing the Rivalry
India Women and South Africa Women became international opponents as women’s cricket expanded following South Africa’s return to international competition.
During the early years, the teams primarily met in ODI cricket. The rivalry gradually became more regular as South Africa established itself as a competitive international women’s side.
India already had a long-established women’s cricket structure, while South Africa developed rapidly during the 2000s and 2010s.
As both teams became more competitive, their meetings began appearing regularly in ICC tournaments and bilateral tours.
2014: Women’s Test Cricket Milestone
A major development in the India-South Africa women’s rivalry came when South Africa played India in a women’s Test match in 2014.
The Test was played in Mysore and was part of South Africa’s development in the longer format.
India had considerable experience in women’s Test cricket, while South Africa were still developing their red-ball program.
The introduction of more Test cricket between the sides later became an important part of their multi-format rivalry.
2017: Women’s Cricket World Cup
The 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was one of the important early ICC tournament meetings between India and South Africa.
India entered the tournament as one of the competitive teams and eventually reached the final.
Their match against South Africa was part of India’s successful group-stage campaign.
India ultimately advanced to the final, where they narrowly lost to England at Lord’s.
The 2017 tournament nevertheless represented an important stage in the development of India’s modern women’s cricket team.
2018: Women’s T20 World Cup
India and South Africa also met at the 2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The T20 format brought a different dimension to the rivalry, with both sides relying on aggressive batting, specialist bowling, and athletic fielding.
India secured a group-stage victory over South Africa during the tournament.
The match helped establish the teams as regular opponents in women’s T20 cricket.
2021: Multi-Format Cricket Becomes More Important
The 2021 period was an important stage in the development of the India-South Africa women’s rivalry.
The teams played a multi-format series in India that included ODI and T20I cricket, with the series providing important preparation for major international tournaments.
South Africa’s women’s team was becoming increasingly competitive in limited-overs cricket, while India continued to develop players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Shafali Verma.
The rivalry increasingly featured close matches rather than one-sided contests.
2022: South Africa Defeat India at the Women’s World Cup
The 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup produced one of the most dramatic India-South Africa matches.
The teams met in the final group-stage game in Christchurch.
India posted a competitive total, but South Africa successfully chased the target with the final ball of the match.
The result was significant because South Africa advanced to the semi-finals while India were eliminated from the tournament.
The match demonstrated how closely matched the teams had become in women’s ODI cricket.
2023: Continued T20I and ODI Competition
During 2023, India and South Africa continued to compete across women’s limited-overs cricket.
The rivalry featured a growing number of established players, including:
- Smriti Mandhana
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Laura Wolvaardt
- Marizanne Kapp
- Tazmin Brits
- Sune Luus
- Nadine de Klerk
These players became important figures in the modern India-South Africa women’s rivalry.
2024: India Hosts South Africa in a Multi-Format Series
One of the biggest bilateral chapters came in 2024 when India hosted South Africa for a multi-format series.
The schedule included:
- Three ODIs
- One four-day Test
- Three T20Is
The ODIs were played in Bengaluru, while Chennai hosted the Test and T20I matches. The ICC confirmed the schedule as part of the 2024 home series.
This was significant because women’s Test cricket was becoming an increasingly important part of India’s international schedule.
2024 ODI Series
India and South Africa played three ODIs in Bengaluru.
The matches provided preparation for the Women’s Championship and upcoming global tournaments.
India produced strong performances during the series, while South Africa continued to develop its white-ball squad.
2024 Women’s Test
The one-off Test in Chennai was another major milestone.
It was particularly notable because Chennai hosted a women’s Test for the first time since 1976.
India’s greater experience in women’s Test cricket proved important during the match.
The contest also highlighted the increasing emphasis on women’s red-ball cricket.
2024 T20I Series
The teams then moved to T20 cricket.
Three T20Is were scheduled in Chennai, giving both sides an opportunity to prepare for the growing international T20 calendar.
2025: India, South Africa and Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series
In 2025, India and South Africa competed alongside Sri Lanka in an ODI tri-nation series.
The tournament was played in Colombo, with each team scheduled to play four matches before the final. India and South Africa met twice during the competition.
The tournament provided valuable preparation ahead of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
India eventually became one of the leading contenders for the World Cup, while South Africa also entered the tournament as a serious competitor.
2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup: South Africa Defeat India
The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup produced another important chapter in the rivalry.
India and South Africa met during the league stage on October 9, 2025.
South Africa produced a dramatic three-wicket victory.
India scored 251, with Richa Ghosh making an important contribution.
South Africa’s chase appeared difficult at several stages, but Nadine de Klerk played a decisive innings, finishing unbeaten on 84.
South Africa eventually reached the target and handed India their first defeat of the tournament.
The result was especially significant because the two teams would meet again later in the tournament.
2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Final: India vs South Africa
The biggest match in the history of the rivalry came on November 2, 2025.
India and South Africa met in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
India batted first and scored 298/7.
Shafali Verma scored 87, while Deepti Sharma contributed 58. Richa Ghosh provided late momentum as India pushed their total close to 300.
South Africa began the chase positively.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt produced an outstanding century, scoring 101.
For a period, South Africa remained in contention for the target.
India then changed the momentum through key wickets.
Shafali Verma took two important wickets, while Deepti Sharma produced a match-winning bowling performance.
Deepti finished with 5/39.
South Africa were eventually dismissed for 246.
India won by 52 runs and secured their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
The final was historic for India and became one of the defining matches in the India-South Africa women’s cricket timeline.
2026: South Africa Defeat India in the T20 World Cup
The rivalry continued at the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
India and South Africa met in the group stage at Edgbaston on June 21, 2026.
India scored 158/7 after batting first.
South Africa responded with a strong chase.
Marizanne Kapp produced an outstanding all-round performance, taking 2/27 and then scoring an unbeaten 81 from 45 balls.
Kapp and Tazmin Brits shared a 97-run partnership that helped South Africa take control.
South Africa completed the chase with six wickets remaining.
The Proteas won by six wickets.
The result continued the pattern of the rivalry producing different winners across major tournaments.
2026: South Africa’s Recent Form Against India
Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup meeting, ICC highlighted South Africa’s recent success against India.
South Africa had won a five-match T20I series at home against India 4-1, including a match in Johannesburg where the Proteas chased 193 with nine wickets remaining and 3.3 overs to spare.
This recent T20I record added another layer to the rivalry heading into the World Cup.
December 2026: India Scheduled to Tour South Africa
The rivalry is scheduled to continue later in 2026.
South Africa Cricket confirmed a multi-format home series against India in December.
The schedule includes:
- December 9, 2026: 1st ODI, Potchefstroom
- December 12, 2026: 2nd ODI, Bloemfontein
- December 15, 2026: 3rd ODI, Cape Town
- December 20-23, 2026: One-off Test, Gqeberha
The Test will be the fourth women’s Test between India and South Africa.
Because these matches are scheduled for December 2026, they should be treated as upcoming fixtures rather than completed results.
India Women vs South Africa Women: Major Timeline
1990s
India and South Africa establish their modern women’s international rivalry after South Africa’s return to international cricket.
2014
The teams meet in women’s Test cricket in Mysore.
2017
India and South Africa meet during the Women’s Cricket World Cup, with India progressing to the final.
2018
India defeat South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
2022
South Africa defeat India in a dramatic Women’s Cricket World Cup group match.
2024
India host South Africa for a multi-format series involving ODIs, a Test and T20Is.
2025
India and South Africa meet twice in the Sri Lanka ODI tri-series.
October 2025
South Africa defeat India by three wickets in the Women’s Cricket World Cup league stage.
November 2025
India defeat South Africa by 52 runs in the Women’s Cricket World Cup final and win their first women’s ODI World Cup title.
June 2026
South Africa defeat India by six wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
December 2026
India are scheduled to tour South Africa for three ODIs and a Test.
Key Players in the India-South Africa Women’s Rivalry
Several players have shaped this rivalry over the years.
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana has been one of India’s leading left-handed batters and an important part of India’s modern ODI and T20I teams.
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet has been a central figure in India’s middle order and leadership group and has played numerous important matches against South Africa.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti became one of the defining figures of the 2025 World Cup final, taking 5/39 against South Africa and helping India win their first World Cup title.
Laura Wolvaardt
The South African captain produced a century in the 2025 World Cup final, scoring 101 while attempting to lead her team to the target.
Marizanne Kapp
Kapp has been one of South Africa’s most important all-rounders. In the 2026 T20 World Cup match against India, she scored 81 not out and took two wickets.
Nadine de Klerk
De Klerk played a decisive role in South Africa’s 2025 World Cup league-stage victory over India, scoring an unbeaten 84.
Why India vs South Africa Women’s Cricket Is Important
The rivalry has become increasingly significant because both countries have invested heavily in women’s cricket.
India have developed a deep women’s cricket system and a strong domestic structure, while South Africa have consistently produced high-quality international players.
Their rivalry now covers all three major formats:
- Test cricket
- One-Day Internationals
- Twenty20 Internationals
Major ICC tournaments have also added importance to their meetings.
The 2025 World Cup was particularly memorable because South Africa defeated India in the league stage before India defeated South Africa in the final.
The 2026 T20 World Cup then provided another South African victory.
This sequence demonstrates how quickly the balance can change between the two teams.
India Women vs South Africa Women Timeline: Quick Summary
- 1990s: Modern international rivalry develops.
- 2014: India and South Africa play a women’s Test in Mysore.
- 2017: India defeat South Africa during the Women’s World Cup campaign.
- 2018: India defeat South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
- 2022: South Africa defeat India in a dramatic Women’s World Cup group match.
- 2024: India host South Africa for a multi-format series.
- 2025: India and South Africa meet in an ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka.
- October 2025: South Africa beat India in the Women’s World Cup league stage.
- November 2025: India beat South Africa by 52 runs in the Women’s World Cup final.
- June 2026: South Africa beat India by six wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
- December 2026: India are scheduled to tour South Africa for three ODIs and a Test.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did India Women and South Africa Women start playing each other?
The modern rivalry developed after South Africa’s return to international women’s cricket. Their meetings subsequently expanded across ODI, Test and T20I cricket.
When did India Women and South Africa Women first play a Test?
The teams played a women’s Test in Mysore in 2014. The match was an important milestone in South Africa’s development in women’s red-ball cricket.
Who won the 2022 Women’s World Cup match between India and South Africa?
South Africa won the dramatic 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup group-stage match, eliminating India from the tournament.
Who won the 2025 Women’s World Cup final?
India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final in Navi Mumbai. India scored 298/7 before bowling South Africa out for 246.
Who scored a century in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final?
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt scored 101 in the final. Despite her century, South Africa were dismissed for 246.
Who was the star bowler in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final?
India’s Deepti Sharma took 5/39, playing a major role in India’s 52-run victory.
Who won the India vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup match in 2026?
South Africa defeated India by six wickets at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. Marizanne Kapp scored an unbeaten 81 from 45 balls and took two wickets.
What is the next scheduled India Women vs South Africa Women series?
India are scheduled to tour South Africa in December 2026 for three ODIs and a one-off Test. The ODIs are scheduled for December 9, 12 and 15, followed by the Test from December 20 to 23 in Gqeberha.
How many formats do India Women and South Africa Women play?
The two teams compete in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Their rivalry has become a regular part of the international women’s cricket calendar.
Conclusion
The India Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team timeline has evolved from occasional international meetings into a major rivalry across all formats.
The 2022 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 multi-format series, the dramatic 2025 World Cup encounters, and the 2026 T20 World Cup meeting have all added important chapters.
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final remains one of the most significant moments in the rivalry, with India defeating South Africa by 52 runs to win their first women’s ODI World Cup title.
South Africa responded with a T20 World Cup victory over India in 2026, showing that the rivalry continues to produce competitive matches.
With India scheduled to tour South Africa for three ODIs and a Test in December 2026, another important chapter in this women’s cricket rivalry is already on the calendar.
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