The 2025/26 CSA Women Pro50 Series, South Africa’s premier domestic 50-over women’s cricket tournament, officially began on October 4, 2025. This professional List A competition features six provincial teams competing in a round-robin format, offering a high-quality platform for the country’s top female cricketers to showcase their talent.
The six participating teams are Dolphins Women, Free State Women, Lions Women, South Western Districts Women, Titans Women, and Western Province Women. Each team faces the others once in the league phase, with the top-ranked side at the end of the tournament set to claim the championship. Matches are being played at major cricket venues across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, providing a mix of conditions that test the versatility and adaptability of the players.
The opening match of the series saw the Dolphins Women take on the defending champions, Lions Women, at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Opting to bat first, the Dolphins posted a competitive total of 246 runs, with their top-order batters laying a strong foundation. In reply, the Lions fought hard but fell short, scoring 234, giving the Dolphins a 12-run victory and a solid start to their campaign.
This season promises to be highly competitive, featuring a blend of experienced international stars and emerging talents. Key players to watch include Laura Wolvaardt of the Dolphins Women, known for her consistency and class at the top of the order; left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba from the Lions Women; dynamic all-rounder Tazmin Brits representing the Titans Women; and middle-order aggressor Anneke Bosch of Western Province Women. Their performances are expected to significantly influence the outcomes of their respective teams’ campaigns.
The CSA Women Pro50 Series plays a crucial role in the development of South African women’s cricket. It provides players with the opportunity to gain match experience in competitive conditions, while selectors can assess talent for national team inclusion. The tournament also serves to raise the profile of women’s cricket domestically, encouraging greater public interest and participation at grassroots levels.
As the series progresses, teams will need to combine skill, strategy, and mental resilience to succeed. With close contests expected throughout the season, fans can look forward to thrilling matches, standout individual performances, and the emergence of future stars of South African cricket.
The 2025/26 CSA Women Pro50 Series thus begins not just as a tournament but as a vital platform for growth, exposure, and excellence in women’s cricket, setting the stage for competitive and high-quality cricket in the country.
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