Table of Contents
The rivalry between the West Indies Women and South Africa Women has developed through several memorable ODI and T20I contests, with both sides producing periods of dominance. From early bilateral meetings to major World Cup encounters, the rivalry has featured dramatic finishes, powerful batting performances and important breakthroughs. The teams have also played several closely fought series in the Caribbean and South Africa. The West Indies Women Vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline reflects how this contest has evolved across different generations, from the early 2000s to the modern era, with players such as Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits becoming important figures.
Early Encounters Between West Indies Women and South Africa Women
The two teams began developing a regular international rivalry in the 2000s. Some of the earliest recorded Women’s ODI meetings took place during South Africa’s home series against West Indies in the 2004–05 season.
Those matches helped establish a competitive relationship between two sides that were building their international women’s cricket programmes. South Africa hosted West Indies for a four-match ODI series during that period, giving both teams valuable exposure against quality international opposition.
The rivalry continued with another ODI meeting during the 2008–09 season before expanding further in subsequent years.
By the end of the 2000s, both teams had become more regular participants in international competitions, making their future encounters increasingly significant.
| Period | Format | Key Development |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | ODI | Early bilateral meetings in South Africa |
| 2008–09 | ODI | Rivalry continued in South Africa |
| 2009–10 | ODI | Multiple matches in South Africa |
| 2010–11 | ODI | Another bilateral ODI encounter |
CricketArchive’s match records list meetings between the teams across these early seasons, showing that the rivalry developed well before the teams became regular World Cup contenders.
2010 Women’s T20 World Cup Creates a Historic Moment
One of the most memorable early encounters came during the 2010 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in St Kitts.
West Indies produced a remarkable batting performance, led by Deandra Dottin. Coming into the innings under pressure, Dottin transformed the match with an extraordinary unbeaten century.
She finished with 112 not out from only 45 deliveries, including seven fours and nine sixes. It was the first century in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
South Africa had posted a competitive total of 158/4, but Dottin’s explosive innings completely changed the contest. West Indies eventually chased the target successfully.
The match became one of the defining early moments in women’s T20 cricket and helped establish Dottin as one of the most destructive batters in the international game. The ICC later included the match among the greatest encounters in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
2012–13 Series Brings More Regular Competition
The rivalry gained another important chapter during the 2012–13 season when South Africa toured the Caribbean.
The scheduled programme included five ODIs and two T20Is. The series was also part of the preparation for the 2013 Women’s World Cup.
Warner Park in St Kitts hosted the opening two ODIs, while Windsor Park in Dominica staged the remaining three. The T20I matches were played at Beausejour Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia.
The length of the tour demonstrated how both cricket boards were increasing the amount of international women’s cricket being played between the sides.
West Indies entered the series with a growing reputation in limited-overs cricket, while South Africa were developing a strong core of players who would later become central to their rise in international women’s cricket.
2015–16 South Africa Series
The teams met again in South Africa during the 2015–16 season.
The ODI contests produced several competitive batting totals. West Indies recorded scores of 232, 214/7 and 200/8 across matches at Buffalo Park, while South Africa also demonstrated their ability to control games with both bat and ball.
These matches were important because both teams were beginning to establish recognizable playing identities.
West Indies increasingly relied on aggressive batting and athletic all-rounders, while South Africa developed a more balanced attack featuring seamers, spinners and technically strong batters.
The series helped set the stage for their increasingly competitive meetings in major ICC tournaments.
2017 Women’s World Cup Encounter
The rivalry reached another important stage at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup in England.
West Indies and South Africa met at Grace Road in Leicester on July 2, 2017. South Africa produced a dominant performance with the ball and dismissed West Indies for only 48.
South Africa then completed the chase without losing a wicket, winning by 10 wickets.
The result highlighted the growing strength of South Africa’s bowling attack. It also showed how quickly a World Cup match could move away from West Indies when the Caribbean side lost early wickets.
For South Africa, the victory was another important step in a tournament where they were establishing themselves as a serious international side.
2018 ODI Series Produces a Major West Indies Response
The teams returned to the Caribbean in 2018 for a three-match ODI series.
South Africa won the opening match in Bridgetown by 40 runs after scoring 201/9 and dismissing West Indies for 161.
The second ODI was abandoned without a result after South Africa reached 177/8.
West Indies responded emphatically in the third match.
Batting first, West Indies scored 292/5, powered by a magnificent century from Hayley Matthews. She made 117, while Deandra Dottin contributed 59.
South Africa were then bowled out for 177, giving West Indies a huge 115-run victory.
The series therefore showed both sides of the rivalry: South Africa’s ability to dominate with disciplined cricket and West Indies’ capacity to produce an explosive response. ICC records from the Women’s Championship series confirm the 40-run South African victory in the first ODI, the abandoned second match and West Indies’ 115-run win in the third.
| Match | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI, 2018 | South Africa won | 40 runs |
| 3rd ODI, 2018 | West Indies won | 115 runs |
2018 T20I Series Adds More Drama
The teams also played a five-match T20I series in the Caribbean in 2018.
West Indies won the opening match by 17 runs after making 124/6. South Africa responded by winning the second match by nine wickets and the third by eight wickets.
West Indies then won the fourth match by three wickets before South Africa claimed the fifth by one wicket.
The 3–2 series result in favour of South Africa reflected the closely balanced nature of the contest at that time.
The same year also brought another memorable World Cup meeting. At the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, West Indies defeated South Africa by 31 runs after posting 107/7 and bowling South Africa out for 76.
2022 ODI Series in South Africa
South Africa hosted West Indies for four ODIs in January and February 2022.
The opening match was abandoned because of rain after West Indies reached 234/3.
The second ODI produced another dramatic finish. Both teams were dismissed for 160, resulting in a tie. West Indies won the one-over eliminator.
South Africa then regained control in the final two matches.
They scored 299/8 in the third ODI and defeated West Indies by 96 runs. In the fourth ODI, South Africa chased 175 successfully after West Indies were dismissed for 174, winning by six wickets.
The four-match series therefore ended with South Africa taking the series while West Indies had one win and one tied match.
| Match | West Indies | South Africa | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 234/3 | 87/5 | No result |
| 2nd ODI | 160 | 160 | WI won Super Over |
| 3rd ODI | 203 | 299/8 | South Africa won by 96 runs |
| 4th ODI | 174 | 175/4 | South Africa won by 6 wickets |
2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup
The teams met again at the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
South Africa continued their strong run against West Indies in the tournament, winning by six wickets.
West Indies had opportunities to compete but South Africa’s chase proved too strong.
The match was another example of South Africa’s ability to perform consistently in major tournaments, while West Indies continued to rely on individual match-winning contributions from their experienced core.
2025 ODI Series in Barbados
The 2025 home series in Barbados became one of the most important recent chapters in the rivalry.
The three-match ODI series began with West Indies winning the opening match by four wickets using the DLS method. South Africa scored 232/9, while West Indies reached 180/6 in a rain-shortened chase.
South Africa responded in the second ODI, scoring 309/9 and defeating West Indies by 40 runs after the hosts made 269.
The deciding third ODI was heavily affected by weather. South Africa posted 278/6, with Tazmin Brits scoring 101 from 91 balls and Laura Wolvaardt making 75.
West Indies were reduced to 121 in 27.5 overs, and South Africa won by 166 runs under the DLS method.
South Africa therefore won the ODI series 2–1, with Brits named Player of the Series.
| Series | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 ODI series | Drawn | 1–1 with one no result |
| 2018 T20I series | South Africa | 3–2 |
| 2022 ODI series | South Africa | 2–1 with one no result |
| 2023 T20I meetings | South Africa | Won both meetings |
| 2025 ODI series | South Africa | 2–1 |
| 2025 T20I series | West Indies | 2–1 |
Key Players Who Shaped the Rivalry
Several outstanding players have influenced the West Indies-South Africa contest.
| Player | Team | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Deandra Dottin | West Indies | Explosive batting and match-winning performances |
| Hayley Matthews | West Indies | Opening batter and all-rounder |
| Stafanie Taylor | West Indies | Experienced batter and all-rounder |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Consistent top-order batting |
| Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | All-round performances |
| Tazmin Brits | South Africa | Powerful opening batting |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | South Africa | Effective left-arm spin |
The rivalry has particularly benefited from the presence of high-quality all-rounders. Players capable of contributing with both bat and ball have frequently influenced the outcome of close matches.
What the Timeline Reveals About the Rivalry
The history between West Indies Women and South Africa Women can be divided into several distinct phases.
The early years were primarily about establishing regular international competition. The 2010 T20 World Cup then produced an iconic individual performance from Dottin.
During the late 2010s, the rivalry became more competitive across both ODI and T20I cricket. The 2018 ODI series was especially notable because South Africa won the opening game before West Indies responded with a huge victory in the third.
The 2021 and 2022 encounters produced tied matches, Super Overs and several decisive victories, demonstrating the narrow margins between the teams.
More recently, South Africa have produced strong results in ODIs, while West Indies showed their ability to respond in T20 cricket by winning the 2025 T20I series 2–1.
Conclusion
The West Indies Women and South Africa Women have built a compelling international rivalry over more than two decades. Their history includes memorable World Cup encounters, dramatic tied matches, Super Over finishes, major individual innings and closely contested bilateral series. Deandra Dottin’s historic 2010 T20 World Cup century remains one of the defining moments, while later generations led by Hayley Matthews, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits have continued the rivalry.
The 2025 series provided another clear example of the changing balance between formats: South Africa won the ODI series 2–1, while West Indies claimed the T20I series by the same margin. With both teams continuing to feature prominently in ICC tournaments, their rivalry remains an important part of modern women’s international cricket.
FAQs
When did West Indies Women and South Africa Women first meet?
Their recorded Women’s ODI rivalry dates back to the 2004–05 season, when South Africa hosted West Indies for a series of matches.
What is the most famous West Indies Women vs South Africa Women match?
The 2010 Women’s T20 World Cup match is one of the most famous encounters. West Indies won after Deandra Dottin scored 112 not out from 45 balls, the first century in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Did West Indies Women win a World Cup match against South Africa?
Yes. West Indies defeated South Africa at the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup by 31 runs after defending 107/7.
What happened in the 2021 ODI series?
The series featured several close matches, including a tied fifth ODI. West Indies won the subsequent Super Over by one wicket.
Who won the 2025 ODI series?
South Africa Women won the three-match ODI series 2–1. They won the second and third matches after West Indies took the opening ODI.
Who won the 2025 T20I series?
West Indies Women won the three-match T20I series 2–1. South Africa won the first match, but West Indies won the second and third.
Who scored 101 in the 2025 third ODI?
South Africa’s Tazmin Brits scored 101 from 91 deliveries in the third ODI at Three Ws Oval. She was also named Player of the Series.
Have the teams played each other in the Women’s T20 World Cup?
Yes. They have met multiple times in the Women’s T20 World Cup, including the memorable 2010 contest and the 2024 group-stage match, which South Africa won by 10 wickets.
Which players are strongly associated with this rivalry?
Important players include Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor for West Indies, alongside Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits and Nonkululeko Mlaba for South Africa.
Why is this rivalry significant in women’s cricket?
The rivalry has produced major World Cup matches, high-scoring ODI contests, tied games, Super Overs and competitive bilateral series. It also reflects the development of two teams that have become regular contenders on the international women’s cricket stage.