Australia Women vs South Africa Women LIVE Score: Sophie Molineux and Co begin hunt for record seventh T20 WC title

Australia Women vs South Africa Women LIVE Score: Six-time champions Australia will begin their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a Group A match against South Africa in Manchester on Saturday.

South Africa had qualified for the final of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai, but went down to New Zealand by 32 runs. This time around, the Proteas will be hoping to go all the way and win the title.

However, in order to do that, they will need to first overcome a competitive group that also involves India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Netherlands.

Australia more or less have a settled lineup, barring Phoebe Litchfield, who is recovering from a quad injury. Because of the injury, she was rested from Australia's warm-up matches ahead of the T20 World Cup. Annabel Sutherland will be one of the key players for Australia, whereas skipper Sophie Molineux has rediscovered her form with the ball since recovering from a back injury.

Kim Garth and Megan Schutt are also set to feature in the playing XI prominently for the Aussies whereas Grace Harris, Alana King and Georgia Wareham will fight for the final two spots in the same.

As far as South Africa are concerned, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk are all back in the squad. Dane van Niekerk, in fact, revoked her retirement decision in 2025, two years after initially announcing her retirement from international cricket.

Chloe Tryon is coming on the back of a 26-ball 61 against New Zealand in the warm-up match, whereas Kayla Reyneke has also made a case for a spot in the lower middle-order with a knock of 45 against Australia in a warm-up match.

Australia women vs South Africa women head-to-head

Australia and South Africa have locked horns against each other in 13 matches in women's T20Is, with the Aussies having won 11 and lost just two.

In Women's T20 World Cups, Australia have won seven out of the eight matches they have locked horns in, with South Africa having won just one match.

Australia women vs South Africa women full squads

Australia: Beth Mooney, Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux(c), Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, Megan Schutt, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt(Captain), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Dane van Niekerk, Shabnim Ismail, Nadine de Klerk, Karabo Meso