South Africa take heart from recent history against India

South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp is hoping her team can continue their recent run of form against India when the two teams meet in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash on Sunday.

It has been a shaky start for the 2024 finalists at this World Cup. After opening the campaign with a 65-run defeat to Australia, they scraped past Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller on Wednesday.

India, meanwhile, have been dominant, picking up big wins over Pakistan and Netherlands in their first two matches.

"The positive thing is we can only get better," Kapp said after the Proteas' two-wicket win over Pakistan.

"We have not had our best two games. Especially with the bat. We let ourselves down a bit but we know that we have to do. India is going to be a tough side to beat but we had that wonderful series at home where we absolutely smashed them, so hopefully we can do a bit more of that."

South Africa dominated the five-match T20I series at home against India, winning it 4-1. They took an unassailable 3-0 lead in Johannesburg, chasing down a tough total of 193 with nine wickets and 3.3 overs to spare.

However, they haven't hit their stride in England at the marquee event yet. While Kapp bowled a fiery opening spell of 3/15 against Pakistan, Fatima Sana led the team's miraculous recovery from 50/8 to 126/9 in 20 overs.

It was a nervous chase by the Proteas, as they lost eight wickets in pursuit before stumbling over the line in the 17th over.

"To be honest, I didn't feel like I had rhythm," the 36-year-old added.

"The ball actually didn't come out nice. It felt much better against Australia. But now look, we knew we had to come out and win this game today. Like I said, wasn't our best performance at all. But we'll take the win."

Currently third in Group A, South Africa are hoping to win on Sunday and boost their qualification chances. India are sitting pretty at the top of the standings with four points and a healthy net run-rate of +3.975.

Proteas’ ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Shabnim Ismail (DP World Lions), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province).

Proteas Fixtures - ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 (All times SAST)

Saturday, 13 June at 3.30pm - Old Trafford, Manchester

South Africa v Australia (Aus won by 65 runs)

Wednesday, 17 June at 7.30pm - Edgbaston, Birmingham

South Africa v Pakistan (SA won by two wickets)

Sunday, 21 June at 3.30pm - Old Trafford, Manchester

South Africa v India

Thursday, 25 June at 7.30pm - Bristol County Ground, Bristol

South Africa v Netherlands

Sunday, 28 June at 11.30am - Lord’s, London

South Africa v Bangladesh