India Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline: A unique rivalry (Memorable Performances, Competitive Series and Historic Achievements) This match-up has also produced significant moments in the progress of women’s cricket, from their concurrent ODI debuts to the buzz surrounding their penultimate 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final, and it’s becoming one of international cricket’s most popular contests, drawing millions from across the globe.
India Women vs South Africa Women: Rivalry Overview
This article features the Head to head stats between India Women and South Africa Women in One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and Test cricket. This rivalry started in the 90s and it blossomed into an integral part of international women’s cricket.
India have always been strong at ODI cricket in entirety, with South Africa slowly becoming competitive in limited-overs formats. Each side has churned out world-class batsmen, top-quality bowlers and time-honored captains who have made a big difference in crucial matches.
India’s notable accomplishments include winning the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 for the first time. South Africa too have been improved, having made finals in both of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 and last year’s Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
Quick rivalry facts
| Category | Details |
| First ODI meeting | 1997 |
| First Test meeting | 2002 |
| First T20I meeting | 2014 |
| Main formats | Test, ODI and T20I |
| Memorable recent achievement | India won the 2025 ODI World Cup final |
| Famous players | Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp |
India Women vs South Africa Women Timeline: Key Matches by Year
1997-2010: Early Encounters
The ODI rivalry started in 1997. Both teams were also in the early swings of establishing their international women’s cricket programmes, and these meetings laid much of the groundwork for competitive cricketers.
India slowly built their innings batting sensibly before firing into a high momentum batting display accompanied with match-winning bowling performances. Conversely, South Africa were still building their squad after returning to international cricket in the 1990s.
It was not until March 2002 that a highlighted profession occurred when the teams met for Test cricket-bowled in Paarl. India thrashed out an emphatic 10-wicket win in the opening Test of the two-match series between the sides this decade.
2011-2017: Growing Competitiveness
This was a period when women’s cricket garnered increasing exposure as international tournaments became more competitive. The two sides also clashed with regularity across bilateral series and ICC competitions.
While the experienced Indian players provided consistency to the team, South Africa came up with a better balanced batting and pace bowling line-up along with all-round ability.
However, another milestone occurred in November 2014 when India won its second Test against South Africa at Mysore, by an innings and 34 runs. With Thirush Kamini and Punam Raut scoring freely, India dominated the game.
See also: Major Series and High-impact World Cups 2018-2022
And the evolution of T20 cricket for women took it to another level, with a quicker and more combative edge being added in this rivalry. More specific deaths in bowling and flexible batting orders; India and South Africa turned their focus to replicating power-hitting.
The players like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp anchored in the competition.
Both teams also opposed each other in substantial international tournaments where pressure and every run matters made their matches highly competitive. Both sides were now boasting experienced squads that could compete with even the top nations in the world at this point.
2023-2026: New Rivals and Historical Results
India achieved two major wins over South Africa in 2024, the first against them a one-sided Test at Chennai and then a close ODI win at Bengaluru.
The most significant event in the rivalry was the final of the 2025 ODI World Cup. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday gave a “big salute” to India’s women cricket team after they lost the final match against Australia in the World Cup. In his post, he reminded the players that this tournament is not their last run in international cricket, but rather just a checkpoint of many in future Individual and collective accolades for the team will follow suit.
The rivalry would move ahead in 2026, both teams tried to develop but gain points across formats. The contest between South Africa’s prowess in batting depth and India’s experienced presence complemented with talent and fresh faces remained alive.
India Women vs South Africa Women Head-to-Head Records
The following table summarises the teams’ international record through August 2026.
| Format | Matches | India wins | South Africa wins | Draws | No-results |
| Test | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 35 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| T20I | 25 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 63 | 35 | 24 | 0 | 4 |
When it comes to overall record, the scales tilt heavily in favour of India, especially in Test and ODI cricket. T20Is have been even tighter, with both sides capturing 11 wins each.
These numbers explain why the rivalry is fascinating – India’s dominance at home in longer formats stands out against the tight contests over all T20Is.
Memorable Matches Between India Women and South Africa Women
India’s Strong ODI Performances in 2024
INDIA had some highly memorable performances during South Africa’s 2024 tour. A thrilling ODI in Bengaluru on 19 June saw India win by four runs.
The encounter showed that margins can be the deciding factors in an even high-scoring contest. Moreover, it also underscored India’s resilience under pressure against a spirited South Africa batting unit.
The 2024 Chennai Test
India-South Africa women’s Test series Third. Chennai 28June-1July, 2024 India scored 10 wickets win after a good batting display in the first innings.
Shafali Verma who scored 205 runs and Smriti Mandhana 149. With their partnership, India had dominated and the team declared at 603/6.
| Match statistic | Details |
| Venue | Chennai |
| India first innings | 603/6 declared |
| Shafali Verma | 205 runs |
| Smriti Mandhana | 149 runs |
| Sneh Rana | 8/77 in the first innings |
| Final result | India won by 10 wickets |
The 2025 Women’s World Cup Final
The final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup was a historic moment for both sides. With encouraging performances in the tournament, India and South Africa met for a historic contest of the final.
Batting first, India posted 298/7 in their full quota of 50 overs, powered by contributions from Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma. In response, South Africa rallied partially through the superb batting performance of captain Laura Wolvaardt, who hit a wonderful century before the team all out for 246.
India had won their first Women’s ODI World Cup title by 52 runs.
India Women vs South Africa Women: World Cup Timeline
The World Cup clashes have been an instrumental part of the rivalry. Both sides have met in a number of Women’s ODI World Cups over the years, with each tournament serving as an opportunity to compare their respective evolution.
India have earned a reputation for being strong in tournaments, while South Africa is growing into the monster of knockout cricket.
The final, 2025 was the tipping point of their World Cup rivalry. South Africa Maker of historyThe final was a historic moment in more ways than one, as India’s victory ended a long wait for a senior Women’s ODI World Cup title while the mere reach the last stage by South Africa showcased the strides women’s cricket had made in this part of world
| World Cup milestone | Significance |
| Earlier ODI World Cups | Built the teams’ tournament rivalry |
| 2025 tournament | Both teams reached the final |
| 2 November 2025 | India defeated South Africa by 52 runs |
| Final score | India 298/7; South Africa 246 all out |
| Historical achievement | India won their first Women’s ODI World Cup |
Top Performers in India Women vs South Africa Women Matches
Several outstanding players have helped define this rivalry through their batting, bowling and leadership.
| Player | Team | Main contribution |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | Stylish opening batter and major run-scorer |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | Experienced batter and captain |
| Shafali Verma | India | Aggressive batting and match-changing performances |
| Deepti Sharma | India | All-round performances with bat and ball |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Consistent top-order batting |
| Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | Fast bowling and powerful batting |
| Sneh Rana | India | Important spin bowling, especially in the 2024 Test |
Memorable Individual Performances
One of these unbelievable achievements was the double century scored by Shafali Verma in the 2024 Chennai Test. Shoal of fish in the case study we are down, a short distance, no penalty enough with a 149 for the forthcoming tenth innings where Mandhana hammered her also this combo.
Shafali’s contribution in the 2025 World Cup final saw her score 87 with the bat (78) and two wickets. Deepti Sharma made a key contribution with a knock of 58 and then scalped five wickets for 39 runs.
You also had to give it to her 101 in the final – that was an equally good effort but just couldn’t get South Africa close.
Latest India Women vs South Africa Women Results (2025-2026)
The rivalry is as competitive as ever and recent contests prove that point. The stand-out result was the World Cup final in 2025, but South Africa’s form towards a shorter format indicates that the contest is far from one-sided.
| Date | Match or milestone | Result |
| 2 November 2025 | Women’s ODI World Cup final | India won by 52 runs |
| 2 November 2025 | India’s first innings | 298/7 in 50 overs |
| 2 November 2025 | South Africa’s chase | 246 all out in 45.3 overs |
| April 2026 | T20I encounter in Johannesburg | South Africa won after scoring 192/4 |
Conclusion: Who Has Dominated the Rivalry?
India Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team timeline explains how two rising cricket nations have become serious threats to one another in women’s international cricket.
However, overall head-to-head record favors India: They won all the 3 tests and foremost in ODI record as well. But South Africa have pushed India close in T20Is, including World Cup semifinal appearances.
Two defining moments that stand out the 2024 Chennai Test and World Cup Final in 2025 With both teams looking to build on a young group of players, future meetings between the sides can be expected to yield more thrilling cricket and spectacular displays
FAQs
- When did India Women and South Africa Women first play each other?
They first met in women’s ODI cricket in 1997.
- Which team has won more matches overall?
India lead the overall international record across Tests, ODIs and T20Is through August 2026.
- Who won the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final?
India won by 52 runs, claiming their first Women’s ODI World Cup title.
- What was the result of the 2024 Test match?
India defeated South Africa by 10 wickets in Chennai.
- What is India’s highest ODI score against South Africa?
India’s highest ODI total against South Africa was 337/9 in Colombo in May 2025.
