The journey to the CSA Women’s Pro20 2026 final has been marked by consistent performances from both finalists. The Lions secured the top spot on the table after registering eight wins from nine matches, maintaining strong momentum throughout the campaign after opening with a victory over the Dolphins and suffering just one defeat. Western Province also recorded eight victories but finished slightly behind due to an additional loss. Their batting line-up has been particularly dominant, highlighted by imposing totals such as 192 against North West. With each side claiming a win apiece during the season — Western Province prevailing in November and the Lions responding in February — the teams head into the Durban showdown evenly matched in pursuit of the title.
A key figure for Western Province will be Faye Tunnicliffe, who has enjoyed a remarkable season. She recently became the first player to surpass the 400-run mark in a single South African domestic T20 campaign. Her tally of 414 runs at a strike rate close to 150 has established her as a major threat at the top of the order. For the Lions, the experience of Tazmin Brits alongside the captaincy of Raisibe Ntozakhe could prove crucial. Their bowling attack, with Kgomotso Rapoo playing a central role, has demonstrated the ability to defend competitive totals and will need to maintain that sharpness against Western Province’s powerful batting unit on what is generally considered a balanced Kingsmead surface.
With the match scheduled for a 6:00 PM local start at Kingsmead, the toss may carry added importance. Evening conditions often assist seam bowlers early, while batting tends to become easier as the game progresses under lights. Western Province are likely to rely on their batting depth to post a challenging target, with Delmari Tucker and Lara Goodall expected to provide support to Tunnicliffe. Meanwhile, the Lions have thrived in pressure situations through disciplined bowling strategies. Early breakthroughs against the Western Province top order could allow them to control the contest, supported by a stable middle order capable of chasing substantial totals. The final shapes up as a contest between aggressive batting strength and measured consistency.
Squads
Lions Women:
Nonkululeko Thabethe, Diara Ramlakan, Madison Landsman, Razeena Manack, Jenna Evans, Sunette Viljoen-Louw, Fay Cowling, Shabnim Ismail, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Ngomotso Rapoo, Relebohile Mkhize
WSB Western Province Women:
Babette de Leede, Caitlin Wyngaard, Faye Tunnicliffe, Jemma Botha, Kayla Reyneke, Kelsey Adams, Lara Goodall, Leah Jones, Nosipho Vezi, Saarah Smith, Tatum Le Roux, Yandiswa Mangele
Players to Watch
Faye Tunnicliffe
Tunnicliffe has been one of the standout performers in the CSA Women’s Pro20 Series 2025/26. She has accumulated 414 runs so far, including an unbeaten 110 — the only century of the competition — underlining her ability to anchor innings in high-pressure situations. Her consistency makes her a central figure heading into the final.
Sunette Viljoen
Viljoen has delivered key batting contributions for the Lions Women during the 2025-2026 season. Across 10 matches and eight innings, she scored 230 runs from 219 balls at a strike rate of 105.02. Her highest score of 57* and two half-centuries have been instrumental in keeping her team competitive.
N Vezi Kbw
Vezi leads the bowling charts for Western Province Women in the current campaign. She has claimed 15 wickets in nine innings across 36 overs, conceding 178 runs at an economy rate of 5.39 and an average of 11.86, establishing herself as a key option with the ball.
Relebohile Mkhize
Mkhize has impressed with her bowling for the Lions, taking 10 wickets from 20 overs. She has conceded 81 runs at an average of 8.10 and an economy rate of approximately 4.05, highlighting her effectiveness in tight match situations.
Pitch Report
Kingsmead traditionally offers assistance to fast bowlers, with conditions influenced by the nearby Indian Ocean often providing additional swing and seam movement. While the surface generally features good pace and bounce, recent limited-overs matches have seen flatter pitches that allow higher scoring once batters negotiate the initial movement. Historically, teams batting first have enjoyed better returns, with average first-innings totals often exceeding those recorded in the chase as conditions become slightly more challenging under lights.
Weather Report
The forecast for Friday, March 13, 2026, in Durban suggests cloudy conditions during the day and mostly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 27°C and dip to 21°C. Rain probability remains low at 10%, with humidity around 69% and northeast winds predicted at 17 mph.
Match Details
- Date: 13th March, 2025
- Time: 9:30 PM
- Venue: Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
