Zimbabwe Women host South Africa in historic first bilateral T20I series, September 2025
Synopsis
Zimbabwe Women are set to host South Africa in a five-match T20I series this September — the first-ever bilateral women's series between the two sides on Zimbabwean soil. Coming on the heels of a narrow ICC qualifier miss, it is the most significant home assignment in the programme's recent history.
Key Takeaways
Zimbabwe Cricket announced a 5-match T20I series against South Africa Women on 29 May .
All matches will be played at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo , from 11 to 19 September .
This is the first-ever bilateral women's T20I series between the two nations on Zimbabwean soil.
The sides have met only twice before at senior level — both ODIs in Potchefstroom in 2017 .
The series follows Zimbabwe's narrow exit from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier .
Zimbabwe Cricket MD Givemore Makoni called it 'a historic and exciting series' for the women's game in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Cricket on Friday, 29 May confirmed a landmark five-match T20I series against South Africa Women, to be played in Bulawayo this September — marking the first-ever bilateral women's cricket series between the two nations on Zimbabwean soil. All five matches will be held at the Queen's Sports Club, beginning 11 September.
Series Schedule
The five T20Is are scheduled for 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 September, all at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo. The back-to-back fixture list gives both squads minimal turnaround time, ensuring an intense, high-stakes contest across the fortnight.
Historic Significance for Zimbabwe Women's Cricket
The two sides have met only twice at senior level — both in ODI format during a quadrangular series in Potchefstroom in 2017. A bilateral T20I series on home soil is therefore an entirely new chapter for Zimbabwean women's cricket. This tour follows Zimbabwe Women's first-ever white-ball tour to Pakistan earlier this year and comes after the team last hosted at home in September 2025 against the United Arab Emirates.
What the Zimbabwe Cricket MD Said
Givemore Makoni, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, welcomed the announcement: 'We are pleased to welcome South Africa Women to Zimbabwe for what promises to be a historic and exciting series.' He added that 'South Africa is one of the top teams in world cricket, and this tour gives our players a valuable chance to test themselves against top competition at home,' and expressed confidence that 'these matches will greatly help the development of our national team while also inspiring the next generation of women to take up the sport.'
Context: Zimbabwe Regrouping After World Cup Qualifier Setback
The series arrives at a pivotal moment for the Zimbabwe Women side, who narrowly missed qualifying for the main draw of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. The home series against a top-ranked South Africa outfit is seen as a crucial developmental opportunity, offering competitive match practice on familiar conditions. Notably, Zimbabwe's women have spent a significant portion of recent months playing away — including tours to Pakistan and New Zealand — making this home series especially valuable for squad confidence and fan engagement.
What to Watch
South Africa Women rank among the leading sides in global women's T20 cricket, making this a genuine litmus test for Zimbabwe's rebuilding project. The series could also serve as preparation ahead of future ICC qualification windows. How Zimbabwe's younger players perform against this calibre of opposition will be closely watched by selectors and administrators alike.
Point of View
And a bilateral home series against a top-five side is the kind of structural investment the programme has needed. The timing — after a painful qualifier exit — is either terrible or perfect, depending on whether the board uses it as a reset or a rubber-stamp. The real question is whether five T20Is against South Africa will translate into a coherent selection and development plan, or remain an isolated fixture on a thin calendar. Women's cricket in Africa deserves sustained infrastructure, not just historic firsts.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Zimbabwe vs South Africa Women's T20I series be held?
The five-match T20I series will be played at Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo, with matches scheduled for 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 September 2025.
Why is this series considered historic?
It is the first-ever bilateral women's T20I series between Zimbabwe and South Africa played on Zimbabwean soil. The two sides had previously met only twice at senior level, both in ODI format during a quadrangular series in Potchefstroom in 2017.
How have Zimbabwe Women been performing recently?
Zimbabwe Women narrowly missed qualifying for the main draw of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. They have spent much of recent months on away tours, including trips to Pakistan and New Zealand, making this home series a significant occasion.
What did Zimbabwe Cricket's MD say about the series?
Givemore Makoni, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, said the tour gives players 'a valuable chance to test themselves against top competition at home' and expressed hope the matches would inspire the next generation of women to take up the sport.
How does this series fit into Zimbabwe Women's broader development?
The series follows Zimbabwe Women's first white-ball tour to Pakistan earlier this year and is seen as a key step in rebuilding the squad after the ICC qualifier setback. Competitive home fixtures against a high-ranked side like South Africa are considered essential for player development and ICC ranking progression.
