The cricket rivalry between India and South Africa is steeped in history, marked by intense competition and memorable moments. This article delves into the details of their encounters, particularly focusing on the Test series, known as The Freedom Series, and the coveted Gandhi-Mandela Trophy.
The Gandhi-Mandela Trophy, also known as The Freedom Trophy, is a cricket trophy that is awarded to the winner of Test series, known as The Freedom Series, between India and South Africa. For the people of both countries there is no greater duty than to uphold the ideals of both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
Prior to the trophy's inception, India and South Africa had played eleven series, six in South Africa and five in India. In 2015 BCCI and CSA announced that all future bilateral tours of India and South Africa to be named as Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela Bilateral series.
South Africa's captain is banking on his team's rich spin attack to spearhead a historic victory on home soil, an accomplishment that has eluded them for 25 years. "I think as a South African team, I don't think we've won a Test series here in India for a long time. So, I think there's a massive opportunity there, and I think there's a big target on our backs as a South African Test team. I think there's expectation on us (as world champions)," Bavuma answered to a PTI query during a select media interaction.
Bavuma will also lead South Africa A against India A in the second four-day game as part of his comeback from a calf injury. India might be without stalwarts Kohli, Rohit and R Ashwin, but Bavuma isn't taking India's young brigade lightly, drawing similarities with England's recent series draw despite missing important players, and thinks they shouldn't be underrated.
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"It's always tough playing in India. You've seen the young talent that has come in. The guys come in, and they are all filling the boots. It is a big task," Bavuma said.
ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant Returns As India Announce Shubman Gill-Led Test Squad For South Africa Series "Those guys you mentioned have performed over a number of years for India, and they've put India on the map of where they are.
Historical ODI Dominance
India holds the historical advantage in ODI meetings, winning 20 of the 34 clashes between the sides. Their latest showdown occurred in the league phase of this tournament, where South Africa edged home.
Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: A Glimpse
The stage is set for a high-octane finale as India Women take on South Africa Women in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 title clash on November 2 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. On Sunday, 2nd November 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a new Women’s World Cup (WWC) champion will be crowned.
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India’s campaign has been defined by resilience under pressure. The hosts navigated an uneven group stage, winning three of their seven matches with one washed out. Their defeats came in narrow finishes against Australia, England, and South Africa - but the knockout stage revealed a different side altogether.
India opened their tournament strongly, sealing a 59-run (DLS) win over Sri Lanka and a comprehensive 88-run triumph against Pakistan. However, close losses followed - a 3-wicket defeat to South Africa, another 3-wicket loss to Australia, and a 4-run heartbreak against England. Despite those tight setbacks, India’s balance of youthful flair and seasoned leadership makes them a formidable force, especially on home soil.
For South Africa, this final represents the summit of a long climb built on discipline and evolution. Playing in their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup final, the Proteas have been among the most controlled outfits of the tournament, winning five of seven league games and peaking in the knockouts. Their 125-run demolition of England in the semi-final - a clinical all-round display - finally laid to rest the scars of their 2017 and 2022 exits.
Their campaign began with a heavy loss to England, but South Africa responded immediately with a 6-wicket victory over New Zealand, followed by a tense final-over win against India. A rain-curtailed match against Pakistan produced a commanding 150-run win before Australia handed them a setback by cruising to a 7-wicket result.
It has been a remarkable WWC, right from the start. Team records have been shattered. Finalists India improved their highest WWC score no less than 3 times in the tournament, surpassing their 317/8 vs WI in 2022 against Australia (330 ao), New Zealand (340/3) and Australia again in the semi-final (341/5). Australia achieved the highest-ever chase in Women’s ODIs when they overcame India’s 330 in Visakhapatnam. Fellow finalists South Africa have also twice bettered their WWC best of 305/9 vs England in 2017. The first was a mind-boggling 312/9 in 40 overs against Pakistan, who they beat by SA’s WWC record margin of 150 runs. The run-rate of 7.8 per over in a WWC is second only in an innings of 40 overs or more to Australia’s 8.24 vs Denmark in 1997.
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What a semi-final that was, statistically speaking. Laura Wolvaardt’s 169 was her first century in a WWC, and also the first by any captain in a WWC knockout match. Her score went from 100 to 169 in just 28 balls, at a strike rate of 246. In the innings, she went past 5,000 runs in WODIs, only the 6th batter to achieve this. She improved her average to 50.20, the third-highest in WODI’s for batters who have scored more than 2,000 runs in a career. Only legends Meg Lanning and Mithali Raj are ahead of her.
Her 10th WODI century puts her joint 5th with Nat Sciver-Brunt for the most centuries in a career. She is the leading run-scorer in this edition of the WWC, with 470 runs, some 81 ahead of Smriti Mandhana. On the bowling front, Marizanne Kapp’s five-for took her to 44 wickets in the WWC, the most of any bowler, overtaking India’s Jhulan Goswami. Her 5/20 is the best ever bowling by a South African at a WWC, bettering her record of 5/45 against England in 2022. It is also her best bowling in a WODI.
There have been so many notable achievements in this WWC, across a number of women’s cricket’s greatest current stars. Tazmin Brits became the first batter to score 5 centuries in WODI’s in a calendar year with her 101 against New Zealand. Ash Gardner has scored the most runs in any WWC (328) by a batter at number 6 or lower. Nadine de Klerk currently has the highest strike rate in this year’s competition at 136.69.
When the floodlights dim in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, a new name will be engraved on the biggest prize in Women’s cricket. This remarkable 2025 edition will be consigned to history, a history that will be rich in records, achievements, stories and images. These images are from the moments that define a sport, create its heroes and cement its legacy for those to come. Kappie’s celebrations, Jemi’s tears, Wolfie’s calmness, Harman’s determination.
India vs South Africa Tests: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma remains cautious about the upcoming Test series against India, despite the retirement of Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, which has certainly changed the dynamics of the forthcoming series. Bavuma's team will aim to end a 25-year drought for a Test series triumph over the Shubman Gill-led side on Indian soil, a feat last achieved by Hansie Cronje's team in the 1999-2000 season.
The series is played in Test cricket format. The series is named after leaders of both countries to pay tribute to them for playing a major role in winning independence by nonviolence.
Stadiums that hosted India vs South Africa Series
- Mohali Stadium
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
- New VCA Stadium
- Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium
- Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
- JSCA International Stadium Complex
- Newlands Cricket Ground
- Centurion Park
- New Wanderers Stadium
Amanjot Kaur match winning catch of Laura Wolvaardt, India vs South Africa Women's World Cup Final
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