In the realm of One Day Internationals for women, the South Africa Women side has often been regarded for strong performance and resilience. However, like any cricket team, they have had their moments when batting collapses have put them on the back foot. Whether against strong teams like New Zealand and England or against subcontinent sides like Bangladesh and Pakistan, these low totals tell the challenges of top-level cricket. Here is a look at South Africa Women’s five lowest ODI totals, the matches behind them, and the respective lessons learned.
South Africa Women’s Lowest Scores in ODIs
| Score | Opponent | Year | Venue | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51/10 | New Zealand | 2009 | Bowral | 22.1 | NZ won by 9 wickets |
| 63/10 | Pakistan | 2019 | Potchefstroom | 22.5 | Pakistan won by 8 wickets |
| 69/10 | England | 2025 | Guwahati | 20.4 | England won |
| 75/10 | Bangladesh | 2012 | Mirpur | 36 | Bangladesh won by 2 wickets |
| 77/10 | England | 2013 | Cuttack | 29.3 | England won by 7 wickets |
1. 51/10 (vs New Zealand), 2009
The lowest-ever ODI total by South Africa Women took place in Bowral against New Zealand, where they were bowled out for 51 runs in 22.1 overs. At 2.30, it was a run-rate that reflected nothing but a performance without stability. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Aimee Watkins and Suzie Bates, shared a bowling masterclass. The top score of 25 runs was recorded by South Africa, whereas eight players could not get past single digits. Following that, New Zealand chased the target easily in 22.1 overs, winning by 9 wickets.
2. 63/10 (vs Pakistan), 2019
In another tough game for the home team against Pakistan in Potchefstroom ten years on, expectations of facile wins on their very own pitches proved completely false, with the hosts collapsing to a mere 63 runs in 22.5 overs at 2.75. It was an excellent bowling performance by Pakistan’s Sana Mir, who took 4 for 11, ably supported by Nashra Sandhu and Nida Dar as the wickets kept falling. Chloe Tryon (21) and Mignon du Preez (18) top-scored for South Africa in the collapse. Pakistan wrapped up the chase in less than 15 overs, winning by 8 wickets.
3. 69/10 (vs England), 2025
In the recent collapse, South Africa went all out for 69 against England in Guwahati in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The innings lasted just 20.4 overs, at a run rate of 3.33, exhibiting England’s fast bowling prowess. Lauren Smith, Nat Sciver Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Charlie Dean destroyed the batting line-up, with Smith taking three wickets in her first spell. Only Sinalo Jafta from South Africa managed to score double digits, the highest score being 22.
4. 75 All Out (vs Bangladesh), 2012
Mirpur bore witness to the shocking downfall of South Africa, all out for 75 in 2012, against Bangladesh. The whole innings lasted barely 36 overs, at a miserable run rate of 2.16, ruled supreme by the spinning attack of Bangladesh. Rumana Ahmed and Khadija Tul Kubra, each carving out 3 wickets, allowed South Africa no moment to gather momentum, and eight of the batter succumbed in single-digit scores! Bangladesh chased the paltry target down in less than 38 overs, winning by 2 wickets.
5. 77 All Out (vs England), 2013
The fifth-lowest score for South Africa came from Cuttack in 2013 when England bundled South Africa out for a paltry 77 in just 29.3 overs. Anya Shrubsole was the chief destroyer for the English, marching through the South African line-up with a devastating 5 for 17. South African batsmen perhaps could not handle the movement with just four of them making double-digit scores. Dane van Niekerk had the highest of 17 not out. England sealed the win in true fashion in 9.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.
