India Women set for landmark Test return in South Africa after 24 years

India Women will return to Test cricket in South Africa after 24 years as part of a tour that includes three ODIs and a one-off Test in December, Cricket South Africa announced on Friday.

India Women are set to return to Test cricket in South Africa after 24 years when the two sides meet in a one-off Test in Gqeberha from December 20. On Friday, Cricket South Africa announced the schedule for India Women’s ODI and Test tour of the country.

India Women played their only Test in South Africa way back in 2002 when they won by 10 wickets at the Boland Blank Park in Paarl. It will also be the first time since 2026 when India Women will play three Tests in a calendar Test.

India will begin the tour with a warm-up match against South Africa Emerging before the three-match ODI series, which will be played from December 9 to 15. The tour will then culminate in the one-off Test. India are also scheduled to tour South Africa for a five-match T20I series in April as part of their preparations for the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Australia will follow in the new year for a full multi-format tour of South Africa in March and April 2027. Their visit will include three T20Is, three ODIs and a one-off Test. The T20Is will be played in Kimberley, Benoni and East London, before the ODI leg shifts to Gqeberha, Paarl and Durban, with the final ODI set to serve as the annual Black Day fixture.

"We are delighted to host two of the world's leading teams in India and Australia for what promises to be a blockbuster home summer for the Proteas Women," CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki said.

"These tours will showcase the very best of international women's cricket and build on the encouraging rise in fan attendance, as we continue to welcome growing crowds across the country to watch world-class players competing at some of our iconic venues,” Moseki added.