Cricket South Africa has added three T20 Internationals to India Women’s tour in December 2026, expanding the series to seven matches across all three formats. The revised schedule now runs from December 9 to 30, with both teams using the extended tour to prepare for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next February.
A change to India’s tour of South Africa at the end of the year ahead of the 2027 Champions Trophy event 🏆https://t.co/SyL989aoQV
— ICC (@ICC) August 7, 2026
The original schedule had India playing three ODIs starting December 9 followed by a one-off Test from December 20. CSA restructured the entire tour. The Test now opens the series, followed by ODIs, then T20Is. The tour was originally set to end on December 23. It now runs a full week longer.
Only Test: December 9-12, St. George’s Park, Gqeberha
1st ODI: December 16, Boland Park, Paarl
2nd ODI: December 19, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
3rd ODI: December 22, Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
1st T20I: December 26, Willowmoore Park, Benoni
2nd T20I: December 29, NWC Oval, Potchefstroom
3rd T20I: December 30, NWC Oval, Potchefstroom
The three ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship, which determines qualification for the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Why T20Is Were Specifically Added Before the Champions Trophy
The inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy is a T20I tournament. Eight teams will compete in Sri Lanka from February 14 to 28, 2027. The event was originally scheduled for the June-July 2027 window but was moved to February by the ICC Board, leaving teams with a tighter preparation timeline.
That is why CSA added T20Is specifically, not more ODIs or another Test. The Champions Trophy will be decided in the T20 format, and both India and South Africa needed competitive T20I match time before the tournament begins. The three matches over the festive period, starting with a Boxing Day encounter in Benoni, give both squads T20I innings under pressure just weeks before the Champions Trophy.
“We are delighted to confirm the revised schedule for India’s tour of South Africa, with the addition of the T20 International series over the festive period, ensuring our Proteas Women have the best possible preparation ahead of the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka early next year.”
Pholetsi Moseki, CSA CEO, official statement, August 6, 2026
Insider Read:
South Africa could have scheduled T20Is against any touring side. They chose India because no other team replicates the pressure of a Champions Trophy knockout. India’s batting is aggressive and unpredictable under Harmanpreet Kaur. Their spinners set traps that force you to take risks mid-innings. Playing India in T20s means constantly making decisions under pressure. That is exactly what a semi-final or final will demand. Three meetings in 12 months have proven it. Each contest pushed South Africa to solve different problems. That is match readiness, not just match practice.
The rivalry between the two sides has intensified across the past year. India beat South Africa in the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final in Navi Mumbai last November, winning by 52 runs to claim their maiden 50-over title. Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Tournament.
South Africa responded in April 2026 when India toured for a five-match T20I series. Laura Wolvaardt scored 330 runs across the series as South Africa won 4-1. Only Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul in the fourth T20I prevented a clean sweep.
Two months later, South Africa beat India again at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Manchester. Marizanne Kapp scored an unbeaten 81 to chase down 159 in the group stage. India were eventually knocked out of the tournament after also losing to Australia.
Three meetings in 12 months. A World Cup final, a bilateral series, and a global tournament group stage. The December T20Is add a fourth chapter to a rivalry that now carries real weight heading into the Champions Trophy.
Sources:
[CSA statement, August 6, 2026] ICC
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