Australia vs South Africa, Women's T20 WC 2026: Date, time, squads
Synopsis
Australia, six-time champions and the world's No. 1-ranked T20I side, open their Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against South Africa at Old Trafford on 13 June under new captain Sophie Molineux. South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, have won just twice in 11 T20I meetings — but their only World Cup win over Australia came as recently as 2023.
Key Takeaways
Australia vs South Africa , ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Group 1, at Old Trafford, Manchester on 13 June 2026 at 7:00 PM IST .
Sophie Molineux captains Australia for the first time at a T20 World Cup; Laura Wolvaardt leads South Africa for the second consecutive edition.
Australia lead the all-time T20I head-to-head 9-2 and have won 7 of 8 World Cup meetings.
South Africa's only Women's T20 World Cup win over Australia came in the 2023 edition .
Live broadcast on Star Sports ; live streaming on JioHotstar .
Australia open their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against South Africa in a Group 1 fixture at Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday, 13 June, with the match scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. The six-time champions enter as the world's top-ranked T20I side, while South Africa arrive ranked fifth and hungry to upset the tournament's most decorated team.
Australia's New Leadership, Same Ambitions
Sophie Molineux leads Australia into this World Cup as the side's new captain, inheriting a squad packed with match-winners including Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Beth Mooney. The Australians will be eager to signal intent from the very first game of the tournament, having won the title on six previous occasions.
South Africa's Growing Threat
Laura Wolvaardt captains South Africa for a second consecutive T20 World Cup, a sign of the continuity and confidence the Proteas have built in recent years. Their steady rise through the women's game has been one of cricket's more compelling storylines, and they arrive in England looking to back up that progress on the biggest stage.
Head-to-Head Record Favours Australia
Historically, Australia have dominated this fixture. In 11 T20I meetings, Australia have won nine to South Africa's two. On the World Cup stage specifically, the record is even more lopsided — Australia have won seven of eight encounters, with South Africa's only tournament victory coming in the 2023 edition. That single win, however, proved South Africa are capable of toppling the champions when conditions align.
Where to Watch AUS vs SA Live
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels in India, with JioHotstar streaming the game online. Fans can also follow ball-by-ball updates across official ICC platforms.
Full Squads
Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.
With Australia's dominant record and South Africa's rising ambition, this opener promises to set the tone for Group 1 at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup.
Point of View
But the 2023 World Cup result is a reminder that South Africa have crossed that barrier before. The more interesting subplot is Sophie Molineux's captaincy debut on the global stage — a leadership transition at a team that has rarely needed rebuilding. If South Africa's pace attack, led by Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp, finds early swing at Old Trafford, Australia's batting depth will face a sterner test than the head-to-head numbers suggest. The broader narrative of this World Cup — whether the women's game is closing the gap between its elite and the rest — gets its first data point here.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Australia vs South Africa Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match?
The match is scheduled for Saturday, 13 June 2026, at Old Trafford, Manchester, with a start time of 7:00 PM IST. It is a Group 1 fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Where can I watch AUS vs SA Women's T20 WC 2026 live in India?
The Australia vs South Africa match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels in India. JioHotstar will stream the game live online for digital viewers.
What is Australia's head-to-head record against South Africa in Women's T20Is?
Australia have won nine of 11 T20I meetings against South Africa, who have won just two. In Women's T20 World Cup matches specifically, Australia lead 7-1, with South Africa's sole win coming in the 2023 edition.
Who is captaining Australia and South Africa at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Sophie Molineux captains Australia at this tournament, stepping into the role for the first time at a T20 World Cup. Laura Wolvaardt leads South Africa for the second consecutive T20 World Cup.
What are the full squads for Australia and South Africa at Women's T20 WC 2026?
Australia's squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham. South Africa's squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.
