South Africa Women beat India Women by 6 wickets with five balls to spare in the opening T20 of the India Women tour of South Africa 2026, with Ayabonga Khaka earning Player of the Match honours after her three-wicket spell set up the chase. Laura Wolvaardt’s 51 and Annerie Dercksen’s 44 then carried the hosts to 158/4 in 19.1 overs.

With this result, South Africa Women start the five-match T20 leg on a winning note in Match 1. Four more matches remain in the series, with the next fixture scheduled for Sunday, April 19, followed by contests on April 22, April 25 and April 27.

India Women innings

India Women posted 157/7 from their 20 overs, a competitive total but one that ultimately proved just short on the night. Harmanpreet Kaur led the way with 47, while Jemimah Rodrigues made 36 and Shafali Verma added 34 to give the visitors substance through the innings.

The decisive work with the ball came from Ayabonga Khaka, who struck three times to disrupt India’s progress at key moments. Tumi Sekhukhune backed her up with two wickets, while Nonkululeko Mlaba chipped in with one. Those breakthroughs prevented India from turning a solid platform into a total beyond South Africa’s reach.

South Africa Women chase

Chasing 158, South Africa Women got the job done with a measured batting effort, finishing on 158/4 in 19.1 overs. Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with 51, and Annerie Dercksen’s 44 provided the middle-order impetus that kept the asking rate under control. Chloe Tryon then contributed 18 as the hosts closed out the chase with six wickets in hand.

India Women did make inroads. Shreyanka Patil claimed two wickets to keep the contest alive, while Shree Charani and Arundhati Reddy took one apiece. But South Africa’s batting held firm in the key phases, and once Wolvaardt and Dercksen had established control, the chase tilted their way.

The turning point was South Africa’s ability to contain India late in the first innings and then answer with a chase built around two significant contributions at the top and in the middle order. Khaka’s spell gave the hosts early control of the match, and the batting unit ensured that advantage was not wasted.

Key performers

  • Ayabonga Khaka – Player of the Match, 3 wickets
  • Laura Wolvaardt – 51 in the chase
  • Annerie Dercksen – 44 to shape the pursuit
  • Harmanpreet Kaur – 47 for India Women
  • Jemimah Rodrigues – 36 for India Women
  • Shafali Verma – 34 for India Women
  • Shreyanka Patil – 2 wickets in the defence

NerdSports Stat: India Women had three batters cross 30, but South Africa Women still chased 158 with five balls left – a reminder that in T20 cricket, one three-wicket burst and two 40-plus scores can outweigh broader batting contributions.

What it means for the series

Because this was the first match of the five-match series, the result opens South Africa Women’s lead rather than deciding or levelling the contest. The teams meet again on Sunday, April 19, before the remaining T20s on April 22, April 25 and April 27.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the match between South Africa Women and India Women?

South Africa Women won the match by 6 wickets with 5 balls remaining.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Ayabonga Khaka was named Player of the Match for her three-wicket spell.

What is the series standing after this match?

South Africa Women lead the five-match T20 series 1-0 after winning the opening match.

Who was the top scorer in this match?

Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 51 off 0 balls.

When is the next match in the series?

The next match in the series is on Sunday, April 19, when South Africa Women face India Women in the second T20.