Table of Contents
The rivalry between India Women and South Africa Women has grown into one of the most competitive contests in international women’s cricket. While neither side has traditionally dominated the global game like Australia or England, both teams have consistently challenged the world’s best and produced memorable matches across One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and Test cricket. Close finishes, outstanding individual performances, and emerging stars have made every meeting worth watching. In this guide, you’ll find head-to-head records, batting and bowling statistics, highest and lowest totals, memorable performances, recent meetings, and the key numbers that define this fascinating rivalry.
Head-to-Head Stats
The overall record shows a competitive rivalry, although India has generally enjoyed a slight advantage across all formats.
| Format | Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result/Tied |
| ODIs | 33 | 18 | 15 | 0 |
| T20Is | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Tests | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Overall | 58 | 30 | 26 | 2 |
These figures highlight how evenly matched both teams have become, particularly in T20 internationals where neither side has been able to establish long-term dominance.
Batting Statistics
Leading Run Scorers in India vs South Africa Women’s Matches
| Player | Team | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| Mithali Raj | India | 850+ | 55+ | 73+ |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 700+ | 43+ | 84+ |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | 650+ | 38+ | 94+ |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 620+ | 45+ | 78+ |
| Lizelle Lee | South Africa | 550+ | 39+ | 89+ |
India’s batting success has often been built around partnerships and consistency, while South Africa has relied heavily on aggressive top-order batting from experienced openers.
Bowling Statistics
Top Wicket-Takers
| Player | Team | Wickets | Economy | Best Figures |
| Jhulan Goswami | India | 40+ | 3.70 | 6/31 |
| Deepti Sharma | India | 30+ | 3.90 | 4/35 |
| Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 32+ | 4.10 | 5/30 |
| Ayabonga Khaka | South Africa | 27+ | 4.20 | 4/32 |
| Rajeshwari Gayakwad | India | 20+ | 3.80 | 5/45 |
Fast bowling has played a major role in this rivalry. Jhulan Goswami and Shabnim Ismail regularly produced match-winning spells with pace, discipline, and movement.
Highest Team Totals
| Team | Score | Format | Venue |
| India | 325/3 | ODI | Bengaluru |
| South Africa | 302/5 | ODI | Lucknow |
| India | 180/4 | T20I | Chennai |
| South Africa | 177/6 | T20I | Surat |
| India | 603/6 decl. | Test | Chennai |
Large totals have usually come on batting-friendly surfaces where top-order partnerships laid strong foundations before power hitters accelerated late in the innings.
Lowest Team Totals
| Team | Score | Format | Venue |
| South Africa | 84 | ODI | Vadodara |
| India | 99 | ODI | Potchefstroom |
| South Africa | 84/9 | T20I | Chennai |
| India | 109 | T20I | Cape Town |
| South Africa | 266 | Test | Chennai |
These matches underline how dominant bowling attacks can become when conditions favor seam movement or quality spin.
Top Individual Scores
| Player | Team | Runs | Format |
| Shafali Verma | India | 205 | Test |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 136 | ODI |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 135 | ODI |
| Mithali Raj | India | 125* | ODI |
| Lizelle Lee | South Africa | 132 | ODI |
Several centuries have shaped the rivalry, but Shafali Verma’s historic double century in Test cricket stands among the greatest individual performances.
Best Bowling Performances
| Player | Team | Figures | Format |
| Jhulan Goswami | India | 6/31 | ODI |
| Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 5/30 | ODI |
| Rajeshwari Gayakwad | India | 5/45 | ODI |
| Deepti Sharma | India | 5/33 | ODI |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | South Africa | 4/29 | T20I |
Exceptional bowling spells have often turned balanced matches into one-sided victories, especially when bowlers exploited early conditions.
Interesting Statistical Facts
India has won more ODI matches. Their success has largely come from experienced batting lineups and disciplined bowling.
The T20 rivalry is remarkably balanced. Both teams have traded victories consistently over the past decade.
Mithali Raj remains one of the most successful batters in this rivalry. Her ability to anchor innings frequently proved decisive.
Jhulan Goswami is among the leading wicket-takers. Her pace, accuracy, and experience troubled South Africa across multiple series.
South Africa has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Young players have strengthened both batting depth and bowling variety.
Test cricket has produced historic moments. India’s first-ever women’s Test victory over South Africa included record-breaking batting performances.
Head-to-Head Record
ODI Record
| Category | India | South Africa |
| Matches Won | 18 | 15 |
| Highest Score | 325 | 302 |
| Lowest Score | 99 | 84 |
India’s advantage comes from consistently converting strong starts into victories, especially at home.
T20I Record
| Category | India | South Africa |
| Matches Won | 11 | 11 |
| Highest Score | 180 | 177 |
| Lowest Score | 109 | 84 |
The equal record reflects how competitive both teams have become in the shortest format.
Test Record
| Category | India | South Africa |
| Wins | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
Although Tests between the teams have been rare, they have delivered memorable cricket and significant milestones.
Recent Meetings
| Year | Format | Winner | Margin |
| 2024 | Test | India | 10 Wickets |
| 2024 | ODI | India | 6 Wickets |
| 2024 | ODI | South Africa | 4 Runs |
| 2024 | T20I | South Africa | 12 Runs |
| 2024 | T20I | India | 10 Wickets |
The most recent contests showed how evenly matched the teams remain. India displayed dominance in Test cricket, while the white-ball series featured several closely fought games.
Major Records
Highest Partnership
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have produced several century partnerships that shifted momentum in India’s favor.
Best Opening Stand
Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee regularly provided South Africa with explosive starts, particularly in ODI cricket.
Most Centuries
Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana have registered multiple centuries against South Africa, reflecting their consistency across conditions.
Most Five-Wicket Hauls
Jhulan Goswami leads India’s standout bowling performances, while Shabnim Ismail has produced South Africa’s finest pace spells.
Highest Successful Run Chase
India has completed several successful chases above 250 runs in ODIs, demonstrating composure under pressure.
Largest Victory
India’s innings victories in Test cricket and comprehensive ODI wins rank among the most dominant performances in the rivalry.
Final Thought
The contests between India Women and South Africa Women have evolved from occasional bilateral series into highly anticipated international matchups. India’s strength has traditionally come from experienced batters, quality spin, and disciplined fast bowling, while South Africa has built a reputation for aggressive batting and world-class pace attacks. The numbers reveal a rivalry that has become increasingly balanced, particularly in T20 cricket, where every series feels unpredictable. As both teams continue developing talented young players, future meetings are likely to produce even more memorable performances and statistical milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won more matches between India Women and South Africa Women?
India holds a slight overall advantage across international formats, particularly in One Day Internationals, while the T20I record is nearly even.
Who has scored the most runs in this rivalry?
Mithali Raj is widely regarded as the leading run scorer in matches between the two sides thanks to her remarkable consistency over many years.
Which bowler has taken the most wickets?
Jhulan Goswami ranks among the leading wicket-takers in this rivalry, with numerous match-winning performances in ODI cricket.
What is the highest team score between these teams?
India’s 603/6 declared in the 2024 Women’s Test at Chennai is the highest team total recorded in matches between the two nations.
Why is this rivalry becoming more competitive?
Both teams have invested heavily in player development, improved domestic competitions, and produced talented young cricketers. As a result, recent matches have been much closer, making every series exciting for cricket fans.
Read Also: Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Stats
