By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed a high profile inbound T20 International series between the Proteas Women and India, with five matches scheduled across Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni from 17 to 27 April 2026.
The series brings together two of the leading teams in the women’s game and forms a central part of South Africa’s build up to a demanding international season that culminates in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England later that year.
The opening two matches will be staged at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on 17 and 19 April, before the contest moves to the DP World Wanderers Stadium for fixtures on 22 and 25 April. The series will conclude at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on 27 April.
For the Proteas Women, the India series will be their final official assignment before the Women’s T20 World Cup, in England, begins on 12 June 2026. South Africa have been drawn into a challenging Group 1 alongside defending champions Australia, India, Pakistan and two qualifier teams.
CSA Director of National Teams and High Performance Enoch Nkwe said the timing and quality of the opposition made the series particularly valuable. Facing India so close to a World Cup gives the squad a crucial benchmark, Nkwe said. It allows the team to test combinations, sharpen execution and perform under pressure against elite opposition, which is essential at this stage of preparation.
CSA Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki added that hosting India underlined the organisation’s commitment to growing the women’s game. Welcoming a world class team like India to South Africa showcases the standard of women’s cricket and gives local supporters the chance to watch the very best on home soil, Moseki said. These matches reflect how far the women’s game has progressed and where it continues to go.
The April series follows an equally significant tour earlier in the year, with the Proteas Women set to tour Pakistan in February 2026. That tour will provide further exposure to subcontinent conditions and forms part of a carefully structured pathway towards the World Cup, where adaptability and depth are expected to be decisive factors.
With a Pakistan tour in February, India at home in April and a World Cup in June, 2026 shapes as one of the most important years yet for the Proteas Women as they continue their push to convert recent finals appearances into global silverware.
Fixtures
Friday 17 April, 18:00
South Africa vs India, 1st T20I, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
Sunday 19 April, 14:00
South Africa vs India, 2nd T20I, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
Wednesday 22 April, 18:00
South Africa vs India, 3rd T20I, DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 25 April, 18:00
South Africa vs India, 4th T20I, DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Monday 27 April, 14:00
South Africa vs India, 5th T20I, Willowmoore Park, Benoni.