Introduction
Zimbabwe Women vs South Africa Women returns to Queens Sports Club on September 13 for the second match of a landmark five game T20I series. As of September 12, 2026, South Africa Women hold a 1-0 lead after a tight opening contest in Bulawayo. This is the first ever bilateral T20I tour by South Africa Women to Zimbabwe, and that alone gives the series extra weight. With a young Proteas squad on show and a home side eager to grow under a new leadership group, game two carries plenty of storylines heading into Sunday.
1. Series So Far: South Africa Women Lead 1-0
South Africa Women opened the tour with a six wicket win in the first T20I on September 11. Zimbabwe posted a modest 116 after batting first, and the Proteas chased it down with 41 balls to spare.
South Africa Women currently lead the five match series 1-0 heading into the second T20I.
It was a tough start for the home side, but the match also showed some fight, since Zimbabwe recovered from an early batting collapse to post a competitive total.
2. First T20I Recap: Bosch Steadies the Chase
Zimbabwe Women were sent in to bat and lost four wickets inside the first four overs, slipping to 12 for 4. That start looked like it could turn into a rout.
Instead, the middle order pulled things back. Maddy Mupachikwa top scored with 36, and Zimbabwe crawled to 116 all out, showing real resolve after such a rough beginning.
In reply, Anneke Bosch played the innings of the match. She scored a career best 83, her first T20I half century since the 2024 World Cup semi-final against Australia. Bosch’s 83 was the standout individual score of the opening match.
Bosch added a 68 run second wicket stand with Nondumiso Shangase, who chipped in with 18 off 22 balls before being caught. Faye Tunnicliffe, playing her 15th T20I, fell without adding much, and Bosch herself was given out lbw attempting a reverse scoop with the finish line in sight. South Africa needed only one more run at that point and got there without further trouble.
Nthabiseng Nini claimed 3 for 17 with the ball for South Africa and picked up the player of the match award for her all round contribution to the win. On the Zimbabwe side, new head coach Mark Coles used eight different bowlers in his first match in charge, a sign of a team still working out its best combinations.
3. Second T20I: What to Expect on September 13
Game two brings a clear opportunity for Zimbabwe to level the series before it slips away. Losing the first two matches of a five game series would leave a mountain to climb, so Sunday already feels important for the hosts.
Zimbabwe will likely lean on the same middle order resistance that saved them in the opener, while looking for a much steadier start with the bat. A repeat of that top order collapse would be hard to recover from twice in a row.
South Africa Women, under captain Laura Wolvaardt, arrive with a young and rotated squad, since several regular players are unavailable due to overseas league commitments. Even so, the Proteas showed in the series opener that their depth is more than capable of getting the job done.
Expect Zimbabwe to lean on captain Josephine Nkomo and experienced batter Sharne Mayers for stability, with all rounder Beloved Biza in the mix as a genuine wildcard with both bat and ball.
4. Squads to Watch
South Africa Women Squad
- Laura Wolvaardt (captain)
- Anneke Bosch
- Annerie Dercksen
- Ayanda Hlubi
- Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper)
- Eliz-Mari Marx
- Karabo Meso (wicketkeeper)
- Seshnie Naidu
- Nthabiseng Nini
- Luyanda Nzuza
- Kayla Reyneke
- Nondumiso Shangase
- Miané Smit
- Faye Tunnicliffe
- Caitlin Wyngaard
South Africa Women sit fifth in the ICC Women’s T20 Team Rankings and reached the semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup, where they lost to England.
Zimbabwe Women Squad Notes
Josephine Nkomo returns to lead the side, with Sharne Mayers bringing experience to the batting order. Beloved Biza has been in good recent form with both bat and ball and is one of the players fans should watch closely in game two.
5. Series Snapshot
| Match | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 11, 2026 | South Africa Women won by 6 wickets |
| 2nd T20I | September 13, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 3rd T20I | September 15, 2026 | Scheduled |
| 4th T20I | September 17, 2026 | Scheduled |
| 5th T20I | September 19, 2026 | Scheduled |
All five matches of the series are being played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
6. Latest News Note
As of September 12, 2026, no new injury news has emerged from either camp ahead of the second T20I. Mark Coles continues in his first assignment as Zimbabwe’s head coach, and fans should watch for any lineup tweaks as he settles on his best bowling combination after using eight bowlers in the opener. Live coverage of the match is expected through Zimbabwe Cricket’s official channels and regional broadcast partners, in line with the coverage of the series opener.
7. Key Takeaways
- Series lead: South Africa Women lead the five match Zimbabwe Women vs South Africa Women series 1-0.
- Standout innings: Anneke Bosch’s career-best 83 guided the chase in the first T20I.
- Historic tour: This marks the first ever bilateral T20I series played by South Africa Women in Zimbabwe.
- Venue: All matches are being staged at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
- Next match: The second T20I is set for September 13, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently leading the Zimbabwe Women vs South Africa Women series? South Africa Women lead the five match series 1-0 after winning the opening T20I by six wickets.
Where is the second T20I being played? The second T20I takes place on September 13, 2026, at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Who was the standout player in the first T20I? Anneke Bosch was the standout player, scoring a career-best 83 to guide South Africa Women home.
Is this South Africa Women’s first tour of Zimbabwe? Yes, this five match series is the first ever bilateral T20I tour by South Africa Women to Zimbabwe.
How many matches are left in the series after September 13? Three more matches remain, scheduled for September 15, 17, and 19, 2026.
Conclusion
Zimbabwe Women vs South Africa Women heads into its second T20I with the Proteas already 1-0 up after a composed chase led by Anneke Bosch. As of September 12, 2026, Zimbabwe will be desperate to respond and keep the five match series alive, while South Africa Women look to build on their strong start in Bulawayo. The action resumes on September 13 at Queens Sports Club, with plenty still to play for on both sides.