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The South Africa women’s national cricket team vs New Zealand women’s national cricket team matches have produced competitive contests across One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and Test cricket. Both teams have developed into formidable opponents in women’s international cricket, with talented batters, experienced bowlers, and players capable of changing a match in a few overs.
New Zealand Women have historically held the advantage in this rivalry, particularly in limited-overs cricket. South Africa Women, however, have made significant progress, reaching major tournament finals and recording important victories against New Zealand.
The rivalry became particularly exciting during the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, when New Zealand defeated South Africa to claim the championship. Their bilateral series in 2026 provided further drama, with New Zealand winning both the five-match T20I series and the three-match ODI series.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women Head-to-Head Record
South Africa and New Zealand have faced each other in international women’s cricket for decades. Their encounters have included bilateral tours, ICC tournaments, and historic Test matches.
New Zealand have generally enjoyed the stronger overall record, although South Africa have increasingly challenged them in recent years.
| Format | Head-to-head trend |
|---|---|
| Women’s Test cricket | Both teams have recorded victories in their historical meetings |
| Women’s ODIs | New Zealand have held the overall advantage |
| Women’s T20Is | New Zealand have historically won more encounters |
| ICC tournament matches | Both teams have recorded important victories |
| 2026 bilateral series | New Zealand won the T20I series 4–1 and ODI series 2–1 |
The exact overall head-to-head totals depend on the cutoff date and whether abandoned or tied matches are included. The 2026 series added five T20Is and three ODIs to the teams’ international rivalry.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women Match Timeline
The following timeline highlights several important encounters between the two teams, including recent bilateral matches and major ICC tournament fixtures.
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| September–October 2023 | New Zealand tour of South Africa | Competitive ODI and T20I series |
| October 20, 2024 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final | New Zealand won by 32 runs |
| October 6, 2025 | ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup | South Africa won by 6 wickets |
| March 15, 2026 | 1st T20I | New Zealand won by 80 runs |
| March 17, 2026 | 2nd T20I | South Africa won by 18 runs |
| March 20, 2026 | 3rd T20I | New Zealand won by 6 wickets |
| March 22, 2026 | 4th T20I | New Zealand won by 6 wickets |
| March 25, 2026 | 5th T20I | New Zealand won by 92 runs |
| March 29, 2026 | 1st ODI | South Africa won by 2 wickets |
| April 1, 2026 | 2nd ODI | New Zealand won by 2 wickets |
| April 4, 2026 | 3rd ODI | New Zealand won by 66 runs |
These results show how the rivalry has evolved. South Africa have demonstrated their ability to win tight matches, while New Zealand have frequently used their batting depth and bowling discipline to dominate important contests.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women T20I Series 2026
New Zealand hosted South Africa for a five-match T20I series in March 2026. The series offered a useful comparison of both teams’ batting power, bowling resources, and ability to perform under pressure.
New Zealand won four matches, while South Africa secured one victory.
1st T20I: New Zealand Won by 80 Runs
The opening match took place on March 15, 2026, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
New Zealand batted first and scored 190/7 in 20 overs. South Africa managed 110/7 in their reply, giving New Zealand an 80-run victory.
Amelia Kerr was the standout performer, scoring 78 runs from 44 balls. Her innings helped New Zealand establish a commanding total.
South Africa struggled to match the required scoring rate during the chase. New Zealand’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, ensuring a convincing start to the series.
2nd T20I: South Africa Won by 18 Runs
South Africa responded strongly in the second match on March 17 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
South Africa scored 177/5 in 20 overs, with Tazmin Brits contributing 53 runs from 43 balls. New Zealand were dismissed for 159 in 19.1 overs.
South Africa won by 18 runs, levelling the series at one match apiece.
Ayabonga Khaka played an important role with the ball, taking four wickets for 27 runs. Her performance helped South Africa defend a competitive total against New Zealand’s experienced batting line-up.
3rd T20I: New Zealand Won by 6 Wickets
The third T20I took place on March 20, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland.
South Africa scored 149/7 in 20 overs. New Zealand chased the target successfully, reaching 152/4 in 18.4 overs to win by six wickets.
Sophie Devine led the chase with an unbeaten 55 from 38 balls. Her innings provided the stability New Zealand needed after losing wickets during the pursuit.
The victory gave New Zealand a 2–1 lead in the series and placed South Africa under pressure heading into the final two matches.
4th T20I: New Zealand Won by 6 Wickets
The fourth match was played on March 22 in Wellington.
South Africa posted 159/6 in 20 overs, with Annerie Dercksen scoring an unbeaten 55 from 32 balls.
New Zealand reached 160/4 in 18.3 overs, winning by six wickets. Sophie Devine scored 64 from 34 balls, while Jess Kerr contributed an important bowling performance earlier in the match.
The victory confirmed New Zealand’s control of the series and left South Africa needing a strong finish to avoid a 4–1 result.
5th T20I: New Zealand Won by 92 Runs
The final match took place on March 25, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
New Zealand scored 194/6 in 20 overs. Amelia Kerr delivered an outstanding innings, making 105 runs from 55 balls.
South Africa could only manage 102/9 in their 20 overs, giving New Zealand a 92-run victory.
Amelia Kerr’s century was the defining performance of the match. Her ability to combine controlled batting with aggressive stroke play allowed New Zealand to set a demanding target.
The result completed a 4–1 series victory for the hosts.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women ODI Series 2026
Following the T20I series, the teams played three ODIs between March 29 and April 4, 2026. The series was closely contested, particularly during the first two matches.
New Zealand ultimately won the series 2–1.
1st ODI: South Africa Won by 2 Wickets
The opening ODI was played on March 29, 2026, in Christchurch.
New Zealand scored 268 all out. South Africa chased the target, reaching 269/8 to win by two wickets.
The result demonstrated South Africa’s resilience during a challenging chase. Rather than allowing the required rate to become unmanageable, their batters kept the innings moving and completed the pursuit with two wickets remaining.
The victory gave South Africa an early advantage in the ODI series.
2nd ODI: New Zealand Won by 2 Wickets
The second ODI took place on April 1, 2026, in Wellington.
South Africa produced a huge batting effort, scoring 346/6 in 50 overs. New Zealand responded with 350/8, completing a remarkable chase to win by two wickets.
Amelia Kerr scored an unbeaten 179, producing one of the most outstanding individual performances of the series.
New Zealand’s successful pursuit was particularly significant because it involved chasing a total of 347. The match demonstrated the increasing scoring power of women’s ODI cricket and highlighted the importance of maintaining composure during a long run chase.
3rd ODI: New Zealand Won by 66 Runs
The series decider took place on April 4, 2026, in Wellington.
New Zealand scored 306/7 in 50 overs. South Africa were dismissed for 240, giving the hosts a 66-run victory.
New Zealand’s batters built another substantial total, and their bowlers prevented South Africa from mounting a successful chase.
The result secured a 2–1 ODI series victory for New Zealand, completing a successful home campaign across both formats.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women: 2024 T20 World Cup Final
One of the most important matches in the rivalry took place on October 20, 2024, in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai.
South Africa entered the final hoping to win their first senior women’s world title. New Zealand were also seeking their first Women’s T20 World Cup championship.
New Zealand batted first and scored 158/5 in 20 overs. South Africa managed 126/9 in response, allowing New Zealand to win by 32 runs.
The result gave New Zealand their first Women’s T20 World Cup title. It was a landmark achievement for the team after years of competing at the highest level of women’s cricket.
South Africa had played an impressive tournament to reach the final, but New Zealand’s disciplined performance under pressure proved decisive.
The final remains one of the defining moments in this rivalry because it combined the importance of an ICC championship with the growing competitiveness of women’s international cricket.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women: 2025 ODI World Cup
The teams met again during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on October 6, 2025.
South Africa defeated New Zealand by six wickets after chasing a target of 232. New Zealand had scored 231 all out, while South Africa reached 234/4.
The result was important for South Africa as they continued their campaign in the tournament. It also demonstrated that the two sides could produce contrasting outcomes across different formats and competition settings.
While New Zealand had won the 2024 T20 World Cup final, South Africa’s ODI victory in 2025 showed their capacity to respond strongly in major tournaments.
Key Players in South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women Matches
Individual performances have often shaped the outcomes of these encounters. Several players have become particularly influential through their batting, bowling, and all-round contributions.
Important South Africa Women Players
- Laura Wolvaardt: A technically accomplished batter and an important figure in South Africa’s top order.
- Tazmin Brits: An aggressive batter capable of providing momentum at the start of an innings.
- Annerie Dercksen: A versatile player who can contribute valuable runs, including in pressure situations.
- Ayabonga Khaka: A pace bowler whose ability to take wickets can disrupt New Zealand’s batting plans.
- Nonkululeko Mlaba: A left-arm spinner who can help control scoring and create opportunities in the middle overs.
Important New Zealand Women Players
- Amelia Kerr: A world-class all-rounder whose batting and leg-spin make her central to New Zealand’s success.
- Sophie Devine: An experienced batter and all-rounder known for her power hitting and leadership.
- Suzie Bates: A veteran top-order batter with extensive international experience.
- Jess Kerr: A pace bowler capable of delivering important breakthroughs.
- Georgia Plimmer: A batter who can help provide stability and scoring momentum in the top order.
Player availability and form can change between tournaments, but these names illustrate the depth of talent that has shaped the rivalry.
South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women: Strengths and Playing Styles
The two teams bring different strengths to international cricket, making their encounters tactically interesting.
| Category | South Africa Women | New Zealand Women |
|---|---|---|
| Batting | Strong top-order players and an increasingly versatile middle order | Powerful batting with depth across the lineup |
| Bowling | Pace attack supported by spin options | Balanced seam and spin resources |
| T20I strength | Ability to compete through aggressive batting and wicket-taking spells | Strong scoring potential and experienced all-rounders |
| ODI strength | Capable of building partnerships and chasing substantial totals | Proven ability to post and chase large scores |
| Key challenge | Maintain consistency against pressure bowling | Convert promising starts into sustained dominance |
In T20 cricket, powerplay performance and death-over execution often determine the result. In ODIs, batting partnerships and the ability to accelerate without losing too many wickets become increasingly important.
New Zealand’s 2026 ODI chase of 347 demonstrated their ability to remain composed in a high-pressure situation. South Africa’s narrow victory in the opening ODI showed that they can also handle difficult chases and close finishes.
Conclusion
The South Africa women’s national cricket team vs New Zealand women’s national cricket team matches have developed into an important rivalry in international women’s cricket. New Zealand have historically held the advantage, but South Africa have continued to narrow the gap through improved batting depth, effective bowling, and strong tournament performances.
The 2024 T20 World Cup final was a major milestone for New Zealand, while South Africa’s victory in the 2025 ODI World Cup meeting demonstrated their ability to respond on the global stage.
The 2026 bilateral series added another chapter to the rivalry. New Zealand won the T20I series 4–1 and the ODI series 2–1, with Amelia Kerr producing several exceptional performances.
With both teams continuing to develop their squads and compete for major honours, future meetings should deliver more close finishes, impressive individual innings, and high-quality international cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which team has won more matches between South Africa Women and New Zealand Women?
New Zealand Women have historically won more matches across the main limited-overs formats, although South Africa Women have recorded important victories in bilateral series and ICC tournaments.
2. Who won the South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women T20I series in 2026?
New Zealand Women won the five-match T20I series 4–1 in March 2026.
3. Who won the South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women ODI series in 2026?
New Zealand Women won the three-match ODI series 2–1 in April 2026.
4. Who won the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand?
New Zealand Women won by 32 runs after scoring 158/5 and restricting South Africa to 126/9.
5. What was the highest successful chase in the 2026 South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women ODI series?
New Zealand successfully chased 347 against South Africa in the second ODI on April 1, 2026, reaching 350/8 to win by two wickets. Amelia Kerr scored an unbeaten 179.
