The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team rivalry is something that has become one of the most compelling and strong in modern women’s cricket. Australia’s team have always dominated many historic wins, while South Africa’s is rising as a fresh energy and is very competitive. Their clashes are always exciting, with both teams boasting some of the best talent and a desire to win.
In this blog, we will cover all the details about both teams’ records, strengths, squads, overall stats and more.
Australia Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team: Overview
Australia Women’s National Cricket Team
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team (formerly Southern Stars) has been the most successful in the history of women’s cricket. The team is currently captained by Alyssa Healy and coached by Shelley Nitschke, and has consistently been at the top of the rankings of ICC world rankings, because of the professionalism, excellence, and winning mindset that dates back to 1934–35, when the first Test was played.
Australia also holds the record as the country that has won more ODI World Cups than any other country. They have won the ODI Cup in 1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, and 2022. The T20 World Cup has also been more than fruitful for Australia’s women, winning the award 6 times as well in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023.
South Africa Women’s National Cricket team
Talking about the South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team. Over the last 10 to 15 years, their cricket has come on leaps and bounds. They were often seen as not even a second-favourite, but now they are some of the best women cricketers in the world. Laura Wolvaardt is their captain and their best batter, a huge player in the complex that is South African Women’s cricket. Marizanne Kapp is undoubtedly their best all-rounder, whilst Shabnim Ismail had been the team’s go-to bowler before her retirement in 2024.
South Africa has never won a World Cup, but has made it to the semi-finals and won one or two along the way. They made the final of the T20 World Cup in 2023, which was a huge step for the South African team as well as for women’s cricket as a whole in South Africa. Bowling is their strongest area, but you feel that their batting is getting better each game.
Australia Women’s National Cricket Team & South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Squads
The following is the list of both Australia Women’s National Cricket Team & South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Players –
| Australia Women’s National Cricket Team | South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team |
| Alyssa Healy (Captain, Wicketkeeper) | Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) |
| Meg Lanning (Vice-Captain) | Marizanne Kapp |
| Ellyse Perry | Sune Luus |
| Tahlia McGrath | Masabata Klaas |
| Beth Mooney | Ayabonga Khaka |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Nadine de Klerk |
| Megan Schutt | Anneke Bosch |
| Sophie Molineux | Chloe Tryon |
| Jess Jonassen | Shabnim Ismail (Retired 2024, occasionally plays in domestic) |
| Darcie Brown | Tumi Sekhukhune |
| Alana King | Raisibe Ntozakhe |
| Annabel Sutherland | Delmi Tucker |
| Georgia Wareham | Nadine de Klerk |
| Grace Harris | Lara Goodall |
| Amanda-Jade Wellington | Faye Tunnicliffe |
Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Matches & Results
| AUS W vs SA W | Total Matches | Won By AUS | Won By SA | Drawn |
| Total Test Matches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total ODIs | 25 | 23 | 1 | 1 |
| Total T-20s Matches | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Stats (Test, ODI’s, T20’s)
Test Match
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Match Year | Winner | Win Margin |
| SA Women | AUS Women | 2024 | AUS Women | 284 runs |
One-Day International Matches (ODIs)
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Match Year | Winner | Win Margin |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 10 Feb 2024 | AUS Women | 110 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 7 Feb 2024 | SA Women | 84 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 3 Feb 2024 | AUS Women | 8 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 22 March 2022 | AUS Women | 5 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 15 Jul 2022 | AUS Women | 59 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 29 Nov 2016 | AUS Women | 43 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 27 Nov 2016 | Tied | — |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 23 Nov 2016 | AUS Women | 9 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 20 Nov 2016 | AUS Women | 65 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 18 Nov 2016 | AUS Women | 2 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 3 Feb 2013 | AUS Women | 3 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 10 March 2009 | AUS Women | 61 runs |
| SA Women | AUS Women | 28 March 2005 | AUS Women | 97 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 18 Dec 2000 | AUS Women | 9 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 13 Dec 2000 | AUS Women | 9 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 7 Feb 1999 | AUS Women | 100 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 5 Feb 1999 | AUS Women | 92 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 12 Dec 1997 | AUS Women | 10 wickets |
T-20 International Matches
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Match Year | Winner | Win Margin |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 17 Oct 2024 | SA Women | 8 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 28 Jan 2024 | AUS Women | 6 wickets |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 27 Jan 2024 | AUS Women | 2 runs |
| SA Women | AUS Women | 18 Feb 2023 | AUS Women | 1 wicket |
| SA Women | AUS Women | 26 Feb 2023 | AUS Women | 19 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 5 March 2020 | AUS Women | 42 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 17 March 2016 | AUS Women | 3 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 24 March 2014 | AUS Women | 1 wicket |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 6 May 2010 | AUS Women | 24 runs |
| AUS Women | SA Women | 15 June 2009 | AUS Women | 24 runs |
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final: Recent Match Summery
In a big surprise at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final, South Africa Women chased down Australia’s score of 134 runs with ease, finishing at 135/2 in just 17.2 overs. Anneke Bosch played a brilliant innings of 74 not out, leading South Africa to a strong 8-wicket win with 16 balls left. South Africa’s good bowling and strong batting helped them beat the defending champions and move on to the final.
Match Details
| Match | Australia Women vs South Africa Women |
| Match Date | October 17, 2024 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Match Type | 1st Semi-Final, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Toss | South Africa Women elected to field |
| Australia Innings | 134/5 in 20 overs |
| Top Australian Scorers | Grace Harris (44 off 42), Beth Mooney (31 off 23) |
| South Africa Innings | 135/2 in 17.2 overs |
| Top South African Scorers | Anneke Bosch (74* off 48), Laura Wolvaardt (42 off 37) |
| Result | South Africa Women won by 8 wickets (16 balls remaining) |
| Player of the Match | Anneke Bosch |
Conclusion
The rivalry between the Australia Women’s National Cricket Team and the South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team has emerged as one of the more exciting and watchable rivalries in women’s cricket now. For a long time, Australia was almost impossible to beat and win games. However, South Africa has come back strong lately. It’s not a one-sided race anymore. Both teams have players who can change outcomes in the games, regardless of the team’s previous performances.
The most recent semi-final in the 2024 T20 World Cup certainly portrayed some of these surprising angles. South Africa chased down Australia’s score quite comfortably, and Anneke Bosch was brilliant in that game. It showed South Africa is truly about winning, not just playing. Although Australia is a more accomplished and better-resourced team, South Africa is catching up quickly. This rivalry will only become more compelling for cricket fans across the globe.
