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The rivalry between Sri Lanka Women and South Africa Women has developed into an increasingly competitive contest across ODI and T20I cricket. South Africa established themselves as a major force in women’s international cricket earlier, while Sri Lanka have gradually built a stronger side around players such as Chamari Athapaththu. The Sri Lanka Women Vs South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline includes early bilateral encounters, World Cup and World Cup Qualifier meetings, Sri Lanka’s dramatic T20 World Cup victory in 2023, and their historic 2024 bilateral series success. One of the defining moments came in 2024 when Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 195 during a record-breaking ODI chase. More recently, the two teams also met during the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup cycle, adding another chapter to their growing international rivalry.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI, 2014 | South Africa won by 53 runs |
| 2nd ODI, 2014 | No result |
| 3rd ODI, 2014 | Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets |
| Series | Drawn 1–1 |
The series demonstrated that Sri Lanka could compete with South Africa despite the Proteas possessing greater international experience.
The 2017 Women’s World Cup Qualifier
Sri Lanka and South Africa met during the Super Six stage of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Colombo.
South Africa produced a dominant bowling performance.
Sri Lanka reached 142 for 9 after starting reasonably well at 70 for 1. However, South Africa’s spinners Dane van Niekerk and Sune Luus applied pressure during the middle overs.
The pair combined for five wickets, helping South Africa trigger a collapse of six wickets for only 16 runs.
South Africa then completed a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | Target achieved | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
The match showed South Africa’s ability to control games through disciplined spin bowling and effective middle-over pressure.
The 2017 World Cup
South Africa also performed strongly during the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Their tournament campaign included a victory over Sri Lanka by eight wickets. South Africa’s overall campaign was strong enough to take them to the semifinal stage.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were unable to progress as far.
South Africa’s 2017 World Cup campaign included victories against Pakistan, West Indies, India and Sri Lanka, although they eventually lost to England in the semifinal.
| Team | 2017 World Cup Highlight |
|---|---|
| South Africa Women | Reached semifinal |
| Sri Lanka Women | Group-stage campaign |
The tournament reinforced South Africa’s position among the leading women’s teams and showed the gap Sri Lanka were attempting to close.
The 2023 T20 World Cup Shock
One of the biggest turning points in the rivalry came during the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town.
South Africa were playing at home and entered the tournament with significant expectations.
Sri Lanka, however, produced a dramatic three-run victory.
Sri Lanka scored 129 for 4, with Chamari Athapaththu making a crucial 68 from 50 balls. South Africa’s chase went down to the final stages, but Sri Lanka successfully defended the total.
Inoka Ranaweera was particularly important with the ball, taking three wickets for 18 runs.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | 126/9 | Sri Lanka won by 3 runs |
The victory became one of Sri Lanka’s most important T20 World Cup results and demonstrated how much the team had developed.
The 2024 T20I Series
The teams met again in South Africa in 2024 for a three-match T20I series.
This series represented a major milestone for Sri Lanka.
South Africa won the opening two matches, putting themselves in control of the series. Sri Lanka therefore needed to win the third match to avoid a clean sweep.
Instead, Sri Lanka produced a memorable performance in East London.
South Africa scored 155 for 6. Laura Wolvaardt made 56, while Nadine de Klerk contributed a rapid 44.
Sri Lanka then chased the target successfully.
Athapaththu scored 73 from only 46 balls, while Harshitha Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 54.
Sri Lanka reached 156 for 6 with five deliveries remaining.
| T20I | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | South Africa won |
| 2nd T20I | South Africa won |
| 3rd T20I | Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets |
| Series | South Africa won 2–1 |
Although South Africa won the series, Sri Lanka’s final-match victory was historically significant because it gave them their first bilateral series triumph over South Africa in any format later in the tour’s overall context.
The chase was historic because it became the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI cricket at that point, surpassing Australia’s previous record.
Athapaththu’s innings remains one of the landmark performances in Sri Lankan women’s cricket.
Comparing Major Meetings
The most important results between the two teams demonstrate how the balance has changed over time.
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ODI series | Drawn 1–1 |
| 2017 | World Cup Qualifier | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 2017 | Women’s World Cup | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 2023 | Women’s T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka won by 3 runs |
| 2024 | T20I series | South Africa won 2–1 |
| 2024 | ODI series | Sri Lanka produced record chase |
| 2025 | ODI Tri-Series | Both teams competed |
| 2025 | Women’s World Cup | South Africa and Sri Lanka met again |
This progression shows the rivalry moving from South African dominance toward a much more competitive modern contest.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Several outstanding players have shaped the history of these matches.
Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu has been the central figure, particularly through her 68 in the 2023 T20 World Cup and unbeaten 195 in the 2024 ODI.
Harshitha Samarawickrama also played an important role in the 2024 T20I victory, while Inoka Ranaweera produced a key three-wicket performance in the 2023 World Cup.
South Africa have been led by players such as Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Sune Luus and other experienced internationals.
| Sri Lanka Women | South Africa Women |
|---|---|
| Chamari Athapaththu | Laura Wolvaardt |
| Harshitha Samarawickrama | Marizanne Kapp |
| Inoka Ranaweera | Dane van Niekerk |
| Nilakshika Silva | Sune Luus |
| Vishmi Gunaratne | Nadine de Klerk |
How the Rivalry Has Changed
The early stages of the rivalry were largely shaped by South Africa’s superior international experience and greater consistency.
Sri Lanka’s transformation has been gradual.
The 2023 T20 World Cup victory was an important indication that Sri Lanka could defeat South Africa under major tournament pressure. The 2024 tour then took that progress further, with Sri Lanka winning an away T20I series match and producing an extraordinary ODI chase.
The performances also highlighted Sri Lanka’s growing batting depth. While Athapaththu remained the team’s biggest individual weapon, players such as Samarawickrama and Gunaratne increasingly contributed to the team’s competitiveness.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka Women-South Africa Women rivalry has developed from a series of largely South African-controlled encounters into a much more competitive contest.
The 2014 ODI series ended 1–1, while South Africa dominated important meetings during the 2017 period. Sri Lanka’s breakthrough arrived at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, when they defeated South Africa by three runs in Cape Town.
The 2024 tour became an even bigger milestone. Sri Lanka won the decisive third T20I by four wickets after chasing 156, with Athapaththu scoring 73 and Samarawickrama making an unbeaten 54.
The greatest individual moment came in the ODI series when Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 195 to lead Sri Lanka to a record 302-run chase against South Africa. At the same time, Laura Wolvaardt had scored 184 not out for the Proteas, creating one of the most remarkable batting contests in women’s ODI history.
The rivalry now represents two contrasting but increasingly competitive women’s cricket programs. South Africa continue to possess an experienced international core, while Sri Lanka have demonstrated that their leading players can produce extraordinary performances against elite opposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sri Lanka Women and South Africa Women begin playing regularly?
Their rivalry developed through international ODI and T20I cricket, with regular bilateral and ICC competition meetings becoming increasingly common during the 2010s.
Who won the 2014 ODI series?
The 2014 series ended 1–1, with the second match abandoned because of rain.
Who won the 2017 Women’s World Cup match?
South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets during the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Who won the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup match?
Sri Lanka defeated South Africa by three runs in Cape Town.
How many runs did Chamari Athapaththu score in that match?
Athapaththu scored 68 from 50 balls in Sri Lanka’s three-run victory.
Who won the 2024 T20I series?
South Africa won the three-match series 2–1, although Sri Lanka won the decisive third match by four wickets.
What was special about the 2024 ODI match?
Sri Lanka successfully chased 302 against South Africa, then the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI cricket.
Who scored 195 not out for Sri Lanka?
Chamari Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 195 against South Africa in the 2024 ODI series.
Who scored 184 not out for South Africa?
Laura Wolvaardt scored 184 not out in the same match.
Who has been the standout player in the rivalry?
Chamari Athapaththu has been particularly influential for Sri Lanka, producing several major performances against South Africa, including her unbeaten 195 in 2024.
Why is the rivalry significant?
The rivalry reflects Sri Lanka’s development from a less experienced international side into a team capable of defeating South Africa in major tournaments and producing record-breaking performances.