The rivalry between Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) and South Africa Women (SA-W) has produced many thrilling matches across both ODI and T20 formats. Over the years, South Africa has generally held the edge, but Sri Lanka have had shining moments too. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their head-to-head encounters, records, standout players, and recent highlights.
1. SL-W vs SA-W ODIs: Head-to-Head & Key Records
1.1 Overall ODI Record
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | 25 | 16 | 6 | 3 | ~72.72% |
| Sri Lanka Women | 25 | 6 | 16 | 3 | ~27.27% |
South Africa have maintained strong dominance in the ODI format, winning a large majority of the matches.
1.2 Recent ODI Highlights (2024–2025)
- In 2025, SA-W defeated SL-W by 76 runs in Colombo.
- Earlier by 2025, SL-W had bounced back and won by 5 wickets in another Colombo match.
- In 2024, SL-W won an ODI in Potchefstroom by 6 wickets, while SA-W claimed another in Kimberley by 7 wickets.
- One match in 2024 (East London) ended in No Result.
These recent encounters suggest the rivalry is getting more competitive, with Sri Lanka managing to punch above their weight in certain matches.
1.3 Top Batting Performers in ODIs (SL-W vs SA-W)
| Player | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Centuries / Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) | 933 | 195* | ~49.10 | 2 / 8 |
| Laura Wolvaardt (SA-W) | 546 | 184* | ~91.00 | 2 / 2 |
| Marizanne Kapp (SA-W) | 480 | 89* | ~53.33 | 0 / 4 |
| Mignon du Preez (SA-W) | 356 | 79* | ~32.36 | 0 / 2 |
| Dane van Niekerk (SA-W) | 270 | 102 | ~33.75 | 1 / 0 |
- Chamari Athapaththu remains SL-W’s backbone, with consistent scoring and a massive 195* in one ODI.
- Laura Wolvaardt has impressed with her high average and big scores when facing SL-W.
1.4 Top Bowling Performers in ODIs (SL-W vs SA-W)
| Bowler | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shabnim Ismail (SA-W) | 30 | 4/35 | ~14.10 | ~3.09 |
| Dane van Niekerk (SA-W) | 28 | 4/13 | ~13.00 | ~2.94 |
| Marizanne Kapp (SA-W) | 19 | 3/38 | ~25.26 | ~3.75 |
| Suné Loubser (SA-W) | 17 | 5/27 | ~13.05 | ~3.19 |
| Inoka Ranaweera (SL-W) | 12 | 3/23 | ~33.58 | ~4.07 |
South Africa’s bowlers, especially Ismail and van Niekerk, have often steered the matches in their favor by restricting Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.
1.5 Standout Individual & Partnership Records in ODIs
Highest Individual Scores
- Athapaththu (SL-W): 195* vs SA-W
- Wolvaardt (SA-W): 184* vs SL-W
- Brits (SA-W): 116 in East London
- Dercksen (SA-W): 104 in Colombo
Best Bowling Figures
- Loubser (SA-W): 5/27
- Tryon (SA-W): 5/34
- Vihanga (SL-W): 5/43
Highest Partnerships by Wicket
- 5th wicket: 179* (Silva + Athapaththu for SL-W)
- 4th wicket: 144* (Wolvaardt + Kapp for SA-W)
- 7th wicket (SA-W): 112 (Tryon + Dercksen)
- 1st wicket (SL-W): 116 (Mendis + Athapaththu)
2. SL-W vs SA-W T20Is: Head-to-Head & Key Insights
2.1 Overall T20I Record
Between 2012 and 2024, SL-W and SA-W have played 17 WT20Is.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | 17 | 11 | 6 | ~64.70% |
| Sri Lanka Women | 17 | 6 | 11 | ~35.29% |
South Africa again hold a strong advantage, though Sri Lanka have secured several notable wins.
2.2 Key T20I Match Results & Trends
Some recent results include:
- 2024: SL-W won by 4 wickets (East London) and 7 wickets (Potchefstroom); SA-W won a match by 79 runs (Benoni).
- 2023: SL-W won a close match by 3 runs in Cape Town.
- 2022: SA-W claimed a 10-wicket win in Birmingham.
- Previous years also saw SA-W victories by healthy margins in Centurion, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Gros Islet, with one SL-W win by 10 runs in Bengaluru.
The distribution of results shows that while SA-W more often come out on top, SL-W have also been able to turn games in their favor—especially on home or neutral venues.
3. Narrative & Outlook
Why SA-W Have the Edge
- Strong depth in both batting and bowling.
- Match-winners like Ismail, van Niekerk, Kapp, and Wolvaardt consistently deliver under pressure.
- The ability to control games with early breakthroughs and maintain pressure in middle overs.
How SL-W Fight Back
- Chamari Athapaththu has been a linchpin for Sri Lanka, producing big scores even against tough opposition.
- Partnerships like Silva + Athapaththu have shown SL-W’s capacity to build large stands under pressure.
- Occasional brilliance with the ball (e.g., Vihanga’s 5-wicket haul) helps them stay competitive.
Recent Trends & Turning Points
- The ODI in May 2025 where SA-W posted 315/9 is a sign of evolving strength in their batting.
- The 2024 match in Potchefstroom remains a standout — both teams posted triple-figure totals and Athapaththu hammered a historic 195*.
- In T20Is, Sri Lanka’s wins in 2024 (East London, Potchefstroom) show they can crack SA-W’s code even in the shorter format.
Read more: Most Controversial Bats in Cricket History
Final Thoughts
The SL-W vs SA-W rivalry is rich with numbers, drama, and defining personal performances. Across both ODIs and T20Is:
- South Africa Women hold major advantages in wins and consistency.
- Sri Lanka Women have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly through Athapaththu, and are never to be underestimated.
- The 2024–2025 period has witnessed some of the most riveting matches between them — double centuries, close finishes, and fierce competition.
As both teams build toward future tournaments, their clashes promise to grow even more intense—and cricket lovers will be watching closely.
