New Zealand and South Africa share a competitive rivalry in women’s cricket. And it has become more fierce in ICC tournaments of late.
While the overall head-to-head record leans in New Zealand’s favour, South Africa have fought back hard in recent years. And we got to see that in the World Cup clashes between both sides.
South Africa thrashed New Zealand in the 2022 ODI World Cup fixture in their backyard. Then a year later, South Africa put a spanner in New Zealand’s Women’s T20 World Cup plans.
But the White Ferns gave it back when it mattered the most. They humbled South Africa in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup to lay their hands on the trophy.
Now, New Zealand have a chance to avenge their 2022 World Cup loss. They will square off against the Proteas women on October 6 in the 2025 ODI World Cup.
On that note, here’s the head-to-head timeline between New Zealand Women and South Africa Women, including records and highlights.
New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Players (2025)
| Role | New Zealand Women | South Africa Women |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Sophie Devine | Laura Wolvaardt |
| Batters | Maddy Green, Bella James, Georgia Plimmer | Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits |
| All-Rounders | Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Brooke Halliday, Amelia Kerr | Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon |
| Wicketkeepers | Isabella Gaze, Polly Inglis | Sinalo Jafta, Karabo Meso |
| Bowlers | Hannah Rowe, Eden Carson, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu | Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune |
New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women Head-to-Head Timeline (Recent 10 Matches)
| Year | Match | Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Women’s T20 World Cup | T20I | Dubai (DICS) | New Zealand women won by 32 runs |
| 2023 | SA-W vs NZ-W, 5th T20I | T20I | Benoni | South Africa women won by 11 runs |
| 2023 | SA-W vs NZ-W, 4th T20I | T20I | Benoni | New Zealand women won by 8 wickets |
| 2023 | SA-W vs NZ-W, 2nd T20I | T20I | East London | No Result |
| 2023 | SA-W vs NZ-W, 3rd ODI | ODI | Durban | New Zealand women won by 6 wickets |
| 2023 | SA-W vs NZ-W, 2nd ODI | ODI | Pietermaritzburg | South Africa women won by 7 wickets |
| 2023 | SA-W vs NZ-W, 1st ODI | ODI | Potchefstroom | South Africa women won by 4 wickets |
| 2023 | Women’s T20 World Cup | T20I | Paarl | South Africa women won by 65 runs |
| 2022 | Commonwealth Games | T20I | Birmingham | New Zealand women won by 13 runs |
| 2022 | Women’s Cricket World Cup | ODI | Hamilton | South Africa women won by 2 wickets |
Notable Record and Highlights
Test Cricket
- New Zealand have a lead of 1-0 against South Africa in women’s Tests.
- First Test in 1972: Ended in a draw. Trish McKelvey (117*), Jill Saulbrey (4/43), Liz Allan (3/38), and Jackie Lord (3/37) were top performers for New Zealand. Carole Gildenhuys (94), Beverly Botha (72), and Lorna Ward (5/47) showed some resistance for South Africa.
- First win: In the very next match, New Zealand recorded the first Test victory against South Africa by 188 runs. In a match dominated by bowlers, New Zealand’s Saulbrey and Lord took a five-wicket haul each.
- Top run-scorer: New Zealand’s Judi Doull (228 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: South Africa’s Lorna Ward (18 wickets)
ODI Cricket
- New Zealand have an upper hand over South Africa in women’s ODIs (12-8).
- First ODI in 1999: New Zealand won the low-scoring affair by eight wickets. Donna Trow (3/8) and Rachel Pullar (3/16) bowled out South Africa for 82 runs. Anna Smith’s unbeaten 42 took New Zealand home.
- Unbeaten streak: New Zealand didn’t lose a single match from 1999 to 2016.
- Historic victory: South Africa snapped the run with their first win against New Zealand. Mignon du Preez’s 80 helped them counter the 223-run target.
- World Cup thriller: South Africa pulled off a nervy win against the White Ferns in the 2022 World Cup clash. Sophie Devine’s 93 guided New Zealand to 228, which was countered by Laura Wolvaardt (67), Sune Luus (51), and Marizanne Kapp (2/44 & 34*). Shabnim Ismail (3/27) and Ayabonga Khaka (3/31) were crucial with their spells to restrict New Zealand to 228.
- Top run-scorer: New Zealand’s Suzie Bates (425 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka (21 wickets)
T20I Cricket
- New Zealand dominate over South Africa in women’s T20Is (12-4).
- First T20I in 2007: New Zealand recorded a thumping victory by 97 runs. Suzie Bates’ 62 took the White Ferns to 186 for 7. New Zealand’s attack, led by Helen Watson (3/13), reduced South Africa to 89.
- Final Heist: New Zealand lifted their first T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa in the 2024 final. Suzie Bates (32), Amelia Kerr (43), and Brooke Halliday (38) helped the White Ferns reach a competitive 158 for 5. Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17) provided a good start, but everything fell apart after their dismissals.
- Top run-scorer: New Zealand’s Sophie Devine (705 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: New Zealand’s Sophie Devine (15 wickets)
Read Also:- Tallest Cricketer in the World History
Top Players in NZ-W vs SA-W Rivalry
Batting: Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Sophie Devine, Lizelle Lee
Bowling: Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lea Tahuhu
Upcoming Schedule (Women’s World Cup 2025)
New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women – Women’s World Cup 2025 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2025 | New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women, 7th Match | Indore | 3:00 PM |
Where to Watch Women’s World Cup 2025 – Broadcasting and Live Streaming Info
Telecast: Star Sports Network
Live Stream: JioHotstar
New Zealand and South Africa have had disappointing starts in the 2025 World Cup. While New Zealand did put up a fight, a dominant Australia didn’t let them go too far ahead.
South Africa, meanwhile, were all out for 69 against England. This is surely not how they imagined their tournament would start. Now, both teams need to recollect themselves to hit the ground running.
