Zimbabwe to host South Africa Women for first-ever bilateral white-ball series

In a landmark development for women’s cricket in Zimbabwe, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a five-match T20I series between Zimbabwe and South Africa’s women’s teams, scheduled to take place in September 2026. 

The upcoming tour will hold historic significance as it will mark the first-ever bilateral white-ball series by a South African women’s side in Zimbabwe. The series is set to be played at the Queens Sports Club, with the opening T20I scheduled for September 11.

The series comes as a major boost for Zimbabwe women’s cricket, especially after the side endured a disappointing campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 and failed to secure qualification for the marquee tournament. Zimbabwe will now look to rebuild and gain valuable experience against one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket.

Zimbabwe’s previous home assignment came in September 2025 when they hosted the UAE women’s team. Since then, the side has spent a considerable period touring overseas, including important white-ball assignments in Pakistan and New Zealand.

Interestingly, Zimbabwe Women and South Africa Women have faced each other only twice at the senior international level. Both encounters came during a quadrangular ODI series held in Potchefstroom in May 2017.

Speaking about the landmark tour, Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni expressed his excitement over hosting the Proteas Women.

“We are pleased to welcome South Africa Women to Zimbabwe for what promises to be a historic and exciting series,” said Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Managing Director Givemore Makoni.

“South Africa are one of the strongest teams in world cricket and this tour presents our players with a valuable opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition in home conditions. We believe these matches will contribute significantly to the development of our national team while also inspiring the next generation of women to take up the sport,” Makoni added.

Zimbabwe Women vs South Africa Women 2026: Full Schedule