Introduction
Zimbabwe Women and South Africa Women return to Bulawayo on September 13, 2026, for the second T20I of their five match series. As of September 12, 2026, Queens Sports Club has already hosted one thriller in this historic tour, and it now prepares to host four more. The ground sits at the center of the first ever bilateral T20I series played by South Africa Women on Zimbabwean soil, giving every match extra significance.
1. Back to Queens Sports Club
Every fixture in this series is being staged at the same venue, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. That includes the opener on September 11 and the remaining four matches through September 19.
Queens Sports Club is hosting all five matches of the Zimbabwe Women vs South Africa Women T20I series.
Keeping the whole series at one ground gives both squads a familiar surface to work with, though conditions can shift quickly between day and evening starts in Bulawayo at this time of year.
2. Why Bulawayo Matters for This Tour
Bulawayo has long been a home for Zimbabwean cricket, and hosting South Africa Women for the first time in a bilateral series adds a fresh chapter to that history. The ground gives Zimbabwe a true home advantage, playing in familiar surroundings in front of their own supporters.
For South Africa Women, returning match after match to the same venue offers a chance to adjust quickly after the opening game and fine tune combinations without the disruption of travel between matches.
3. First T20I Recap: A Six Wicket Win for the Visitors
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first at Queens Sports Club, only to slip to 12 for 4 inside four overs. A recovery followed, built around Maddy Mupachikwa’s 36, and the hosts were bowled out for 116.
South Africa Women chased the target down with room to spare, winning by six wickets with 41 balls unused. Anneke Bosch top scored with a career-best 83, her first T20I half century since the 2024 World Cup semi-final against Australia.
Bosch shared a 68 run partnership with Nondumiso Shangase before the innings wrapped up in the 14th over. Nthabiseng Nini took 3 for 17 and won the player of the match award. Zimbabwe’s new head coach, Mark Coles, rotated through eight bowlers in his first game in charge at this same ground.
4. Squads to Watch in Game Two
South Africa Women
- Laura Wolvaardt (captain)
- Anneke Bosch
- Annerie Dercksen
- Ayanda Hlubi
- Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper)
- Eliz-Mari Marx
- Karabo Meso (wicketkeeper)
- Seshnie Naidu
- Nthabiseng Nini
- Luyanda Nzuza
- Kayla Reyneke
- Nondumiso Shangase
- Miané Smit
- Faye Tunnicliffe
- Caitlin Wyngaard
South Africa Women are ranked fifth in the ICC Women’s T20 Team Rankings and reached the semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup before losing to England. Wolvaardt is leading a young squad on this tour, with several regulars away on overseas league commitments.
Zimbabwe Women
Josephine Nkomo returns as captain for this home series, backed by the experience of Sharne Mayers in the batting order. All rounder Beloved Biza remains a player to watch closely at Queens Sports Club, given her recent form with bat and ball.
5. Series Snapshot
| Match | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 11, 2026 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | South Africa Women won by 6 wickets |
| 2nd T20I | September 13, 2026 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Upcoming |
| 3rd T20I | September 15, 2026 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Scheduled |
| 4th T20I | September 17, 2026 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Scheduled |
| 5th T20I | September 19, 2026 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Scheduled |
6. Latest News Note
As of September 12, 2026, both squads remain unchanged heading back to Queens Sports Club for game two. Local broadcast partners are expected to continue their coverage from the series opener, and any pitch or weather updates from Bulawayo will likely surface closer to the start of play on September 13.
7. Key Takeaways
- Same venue: All five matches of the series are being played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
- Current lead: South Africa Women lead the series 1-0 after the opening match.
- Top performer: Anneke Bosch’s career-best 83 defined the first T20I.
- Historic series: This tour marks South Africa Women’s first ever bilateral T20I visit to Zimbabwe.
- Next fixture: Zimbabwe Women and South Africa Women return to Bulawayo on September 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the second T20I being played? The second T20I is being played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, the same venue as the series opener.
Are all matches in this series played at the same ground? Yes, all five T20I matches are scheduled for Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Who leads the series after the first match? South Africa Women lead 1-0 after winning the opening T20I by six wickets.
Who scored the most runs in the first T20I? Anneke Bosch scored the most runs, with a career-best 83 for South Africa Women.
Is Zimbabwe playing with a new head coach this series? Yes, Mark Coles is in his first assignment as Zimbabwe’s head coach during this tour.
Conclusion
Zimbabwe Women and South Africa Women return to Bulawayo on September 13, 2026, with Queens Sports Club once again the stage for a series that already carries historic weight. As of September 12, 2026, South Africa Women hold a 1-0 lead built on Anneke Bosch’s career-best innings, and Zimbabwe will look to use home advantage to respond in front of their own crowd.
