South Africa and India are set to renew their rivalry in a five-match women’s T20I series in April 2026, marking their first meeting since the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final. The official schedule has been confirmed, with matches to be played across Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni.
The series will serve as a key preparation platform for both teams ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England. The opening two T20Is will be held in Durban on April 17 and 19, followed by back-to-back matches in Johannesburg on April 22 and 25. The fifth and final T20I will take place in Benoni on April 27.
India will enter the series with confidence after defeating South Africa in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final. With the T20 World Cup just two weeks away, the bilateral contest is expected to offer valuable match practice and tactical insights for both squads.
Adding further intrigue, India and South Africa have been drawn into the same group for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, alongside Australia, Pakistan and two qualifier teams. The April series could therefore play a crucial role in assessing strengths, weaknesses and potential match-ups ahead of their group-stage clash.
The extended five-match format provides coaches with ample scope to rotate players, experiment with combinations and fine-tune strategies. Teams are also likely to adapt their plans to mirror conditions expected in England, effectively using the series as a World Cup simulation.
India’s recent success against South Africa may influence selection and approach, while the Proteas will be eager to respond and gain a psychological edge. With both teams sharing a World Cup group, the stakes extend beyond bilateral bragging rights.
India’s busy schedule continues earlier in the year, with a full tour of Australia lined up in February, making the South Africa series another crucial stop in their World Cup build-up.
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