Introduction: Australia Womens National Cricket Team vs South Africa Womens National Cricket Team
Over the years, the rivalry between the Australia Women’s Cricket Team and the South Africa Women’s Cricket Team has grown into one of the most exciting battles in women’s cricket. Once dominated by Australia, this contest is now more competitive than ever, with South Africa rising as a serious challenger.
Both teams bring intensity, passion, and world-class talent every time they face each other. It’s no longer a one-sided affair—it’s a real fight, and the cricketing world is loving it.
Table of Contents
What We’ll Cover
- A brief history of both teams
- Full squad breakdown
- All-time match results
- Format-wise stats: Tests, ODIs, T20Is
- A closer look at the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final
- Final thoughts on the rivalry
The Clash of Titans: An Overview
For a long time, Australia stood tall as the undisputed queen of women’s cricket. But South Africa’s recent performances have shown they’re no longer in the game just to participate—they’re here to win.
The rivalry has turned into a must-watch for fans. Whether it’s a tight T20 or a high-pressure World Cup clash, the drama is always high.
Australia Women’s Cricket Team: The Gold Standard
Australia’s women have been ruling the roost for decades. Known for their discipline, fitness, and match-winning attitude, this team has created a legacy that few can match.
Captain: Alyssa Healy
Coach: Shelley Nitschke
Achievements:
- 7 ODI World Cup wins: 1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2022
- 6 T20 World Cup titles: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023
With legends like Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney in the mix, and rising stars like Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland coming through, the Aussies have never looked short on talent.
South Africa Women’s Cricket Team: On the Rise
South Africa’s journey in women’s cricket hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been inspiring. In the last decade, they’ve gone from being underdogs to real contenders. They’ve built a side that can take on anyone, and they’ve proved it more than once.
Captain: Laura Wolvaardt
Key Players:
- Marizanne Kapp – dependable all-rounder
- Ayabonga Khaka – spearhead of the bowling attack
- Anneke Bosch – match-winner in big games
- Shabnim Ismail – former pace queen, still a force in domestic cricket
They may not have a World Cup title yet, but reaching the T20 World Cup 2023 final and beating Australia in 2024 were signs of how far they’ve come.
Team Squads (As of 2024–2025)
| Australia Women | South Africa Women |
|---|---|
| Alyssa Healy (C/WK) | Laura Wolvaardt (C) |
| Meg Lanning | Marizanne Kapp |
| Ellyse Perry | Sune Luus |
| Beth Mooney | Masabata Klaas |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Ayabonga Khaka |
| Tahlia McGrath | Nadine de Klerk |
| Darcie Brown | Chloe Tryon |
| Megan Schutt | Anneke Bosch |
| Jess Jonassen | Tumi Sekhukhune |
| Alana King | Raisibe Ntozakhe |
| Grace Harris | Delmi Tucker |
| Annabel Sutherland | Lara Goodall |
| Amanda-Jade Wellington | Faye Tunnicliffe |
| Sophie Molineux | Shabnim Ismail (retired, domestic only) |
Match Results: Who’s Beating Who?
| Format | Matches Played | Australia Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws/Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 25 | 23 | 1 | 1 |
| T20Is | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Australia clearly dominates the head-to-head stats—but South Africa is starting to turn the tide.
Match Breakdown: Test, ODI & T20 Stats
Test Match
- Year: 2024
- Winner: Australia
- Margin: 284 runs
Only one Test has been played between the two—and it went heavily Australia’s way.
ODI Matches: Some Key Encounters
- Feb 7, 2024: South Africa pulled off a huge upset, winning by 84 runs
- Feb 10, 2024: Australia bounced back, winning by 110 runs
- Nov 27, 2016: Match ended in a tie
- From 1997 to 2022, Australia mostly won comfortably, including wins by 92 runs, 100 runs, and even 10 wickets
Despite the lopsided numbers, South Africa’s recent win in 2024 was a major morale booster.
T20I Highlights
- Oct 17, 2024: South Africa stunned Australia with an 8-wicket win
- Jan 27 & 28, 2024: Back-to-back wins for Australia
- Feb 18, 2023: Australia scraped through by 1 wicket
- Mar 2020: Australia won by 42 runs
- Mar 2014: A nail-biter with Australia winning by just 1 wicket
These T20s have delivered everything—close finishes, big upsets, and brilliant individual performances.
T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Final: The Turning Point
One of the most dramatic chapters in this rivalry was written during the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final.
Match Date: October 17, 2024
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Toss: South Africa chose to bowl first
Match Summary:
- Australia: 134/5 (20 overs)
- Grace Harris: 44 (42)
- Beth Mooney: 31 (23)
- South Africa: 135/2 (17.2 overs)
- Anneke Bosch: 74 (48)*
- Laura Wolvaardt: 42 (37)
Result: South Africa won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Anneke Bosch
This win was massive—it wasn’t just about reaching the final, it was about beating the world’s best and doing it with style.
Conclusion: A Rivalry to Watch
What used to be a one-sided affair is now a proper contest. Australia still leads in terms of silverware and overall wins, but South Africa has proven they can rise to the occasion and knock down the giants.
Their recent battles have been filled with passion, grit, and brilliant cricket. With players like Anneke Bosch, Laura Wolvaardt, and Marizanne Kapp leading the way, South Africa is no longer chasing—they’re challenging.