From humiliating 51 to shocking 69: South Africa women's lowest scores in ODIs

Arnav Chopra

South Africa women vs England women (Source: @ICC/X.com)South Africa women vs England women (Source: @ICC/X.com)

One of the strongest teams in women's cricket, the South African cricket team have done a tremendous job so far in their history. From achieving multiple accolades to shattering multiple records, the South African women have done it all.

Despite their highs, they have endured their fair share of lows, particularly in the ongoing women's World Cup game against England, where they were bowled out for a paltry 69. Therefore, in this article, we will look at South Africa Women's lowest score in one-day cricket.

5) 77 vs England Women, Cuttack, 2013

The fifth-lowest score ever achieved by South African women was against the England women in the 2013 Women's World Cup, which happened in India. This game, the 17th match of the Super Six stage, took place at Cuttack. The South African side, who were batting first, were bowled out for a measly 77, as Anya Shrubsole claimed a five-wicket haul, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge bagged three wickets to fold the African side for just 77 in their first innings.

Dane van Niekerk was the highest scorer with 17 not out, as the England women chased the score comfortably in just 9.3 overs, winning the game easily by seven wickets, with a mammoth 243 deliveries to spare. This performance demonstrated why England were one of the best teams back then, as their bowling attack prevented South African batters from scoring hardly any runs on the surface.

4) 75 vs Bangladesh Women, Mirpur, 2012

The fourth-lowest score ever endured by South African women came in the first ODI at Mirpur back in 2012, when South Africa was touring Bangladesh. In this encounter, the South African women's side were able to bat for 34.4 overs but only managed 75 runs. Skipper Mignon du Preez was the highest scorer with 24, while the Bangladesh bowling attack of Khadija Tul Kubra and Rumana Ahmed bagged three wickets apiece to rock the Proteas side.

In the end, the match turned out to be an absolute thriller, as Bangladesh chased the score down in 37.3 overs but lost eight wickets on the way, ultimately winning by two wickets to spare. Even in this encounter, Sune Luus took three wickets, while Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp got two scalps, but couldn't change the fate for the Proteas women's side.

3) 69 vs England Women, Guwahati, 2025*

The third-lowest score achieved by South African women came in the ongoing fourth match of the Women's World Cup 2025 against England women at Guwahati. Just like the 2013 World Cup, this lowest score was achieved by South African women against the same rivals, England women, at a World Cup happening in India, but this time in Guwahati, as they folded for just 69 in the first innings after being asked to bat first.

Sinalo Jafta was the only batter in the entire lineup to score runs in the double figures, where she managed 22, while the rest of the batters couldn't even manage a double-digit mark on the scorecard. After facing 20.4 overs, 69 was all they could afford as the England women ensured they faced humiliation.

England's Linsey Smith claimed three wickets in four overs, while Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Charlie Dean registered two wickets each, as South African Women struggled badly on the surface. By the time of publication, the English women were still waiting to come out to bat.

2) 63 vs Pakistan Women, Potchefstroom, 2019

The second-lowest score ever achieved by South African Women in an ODI game came against Pakistan women in 2019, in the first ODI of Pakistan's tour to South Africa, played at Potchefstroom. The South African side, again in this encounter, after batting first, were bowled out for just 63 in 22.5 overs, with Chloe Tryon scoring only 21, while Mignon du Preez registered 18, where the rest of the batters couldn't even reach double figures.

It was Sana Mir back then who claimed four wickets in her outstanding spell of six overs, giving only 11 runs as the home side had no answer to the spin wizard. In reply, the Pakistan side chased the score very comfortably in just 14.4 overs, winning with eight wickets to spare, where Javaria Khan scored 34 not out in the end. This defeat came as a shock to the South African side, who were expected to put a massive total on the board. However, the reality turned out to be contrastingly different.

1) 51 vs New Zealand Women, Bowral, 2009

Now, the lowest-ever score achieved by South African women also came in a Women's World Cup game. This time, in 2009, they were playing in Bowral. The 12th match of the group A game saw New Zealand batting first and putting up a decent score of 250 runs on the board after the completion of their 50 overs, where Sara McGlashan scored an unbeaten 88.

She was very well supported by Amy Satterthwaite and Nicola Browne, who put up 73 and 51*, respectively. Chasing 251 for victory, the South African Women had no answer to their counterparts, as they were bowled out for just 50 in the Women's World Cup, registering their lowest ever total in a World Cup, which remains the record. Cri-Zelda Brits scored 25 as the same story repeated, where ten of the batters could not get to the double figures.

They played 22.1 overs but failed to even get near to the target. Suzie Bates and Aimee Watkins bagged four wickets each as South Africa lost the game by a heavy margin of 199 runs in a crucial World Cup encounter. Despite achieving many records in international cricket, the South African women's team are still stung by this defeat, which they can hardly ever forget.