Josephine Nkomo, the 29-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder, is set to make her full-time captaincy debut as Zimbabwe Women host South Africa in a landmark five-match T20I series beginning 11 September 2026 at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club. Nkomo, who missed Zimbabwe’s recent 3-0 white-ball sweep by Pakistan in May due to injury, returns to lead a squad blending experienced campaigners and promising Under-19 talent under new head coach Mark Coles.
Josephine Nkomo’s appointment as captain came before the Pakistan tour, but an injury ruled her out, leaving left-arm medium-pacer Nomvelo Sibanda to lead the side in her absence. Now fit and back in the squad, Nkomo brings 69 T20I and 18 ODI caps to her first official stint at the helm. Her return adds stability and leadership to a Zimbabwe side eager to bounce back after consecutive 3-0 defeats in both ODI and T20I formats against Pakistan earlier this year.
Sibanda remains in the squad, offering continuity and experience alongside Nkomo as Zimbabwe prepares for their most high-profile home series in over a year. This series marks Zimbabwe’s first set of home games since a bilateral against UAE in October 2025, adding further significance to Nkomo’s captaincy debut on home soil.
Experienced batter Sharne Mayers makes a notable comeback after a two-year absence from international cricket. Mayers, who has represented Zimbabwe in 13 ODIs and 33 T20Is, last featured in October 2024 and brings valuable top-order depth to the lineup.
Joining Mayers in the squad are seasoned players Nyasha Gwanzura, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Loreen Tshuma, and Loryn Phiri, all returning to bolster Zimbabwe’s core. This blend of experience is complemented by three Zimbabwe Under-19 players, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Beloved Biza, and Christina Mutasa, highlighting the team’s commitment to nurturing young talent alongside established names.
This series is historic on multiple fronts. It marks the first time South Africa Women have toured Zimbabwe, with the two sides having met only twice before, during a quadrangular ODI series in South Africa in 2017. Additionally, it is the first series under new head coach Mark Coles, who takes charge with an eye on building a competitive unit capable of challenging stronger opponents.
All five T20Is will be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, a venue steeped in Zimbabwean cricket history and now set to host a new chapter in the women’s game.
Series Schedule:
1st T20I – 11 September 2026
2nd T20I – 13 September 2026
3rd T20I – 15 September 2026
4th T20I – 17 September 2026
5th T20I – 19 September 2026
Zimbabwe Squad for T20I Series vs South Africa:
Josephine Nkomo (C), Beloved Biza, Kudzai Chigora, Francesca Chipare, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Tendai Makusha, Michelle Mavunga, Sharne Mayers, Modester Mupachikwa, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Christina Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma
With Nkomo at the helm and a mix of veterans and youth, Zimbabwe Women will be eager to make a statement against a formidable South African side, turning this historic home series into a platform for growth and ambition.
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