The India national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team have a very competitive rivalry currently one of the fiercest battles in modern-day cricket. The teams have been at loggerheads in memorable contests since South Africa’s return to international cricket in 1991, across Test matches, ODIs, T20Is, ICC tournaments and bilateral series. Both these nations are always counted among the top few teams in world cricket and so every clash between the two is eagerly awaited by die-hard fans of the sport all over the globe. Rivalry is a part and parcel of any sport, let alone cricket where the stakes are ever so high – both financially as well as for prestige – and among the biggest rivalries in Test cricket history has been that between South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team.
South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Stats Overview
The following table provides a quick overview of the Head to Head record between India and South Africa across all formats.
| Format | Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | Draw/Tie/NR |
| Tests | 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 |
| ODIs | 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 |
| T20Is | 39 | 21 | 13 | 5 |
| Total | 182 | 79 | 85 | 18 |
India vs South Africa Head to Head Record in Test Cricket
Overall Test Record
| Matches Played | India Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws |
| 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 |
As it stands today, South Africa enjoyed a narrow lead in the history of Test cricket, largely down to having the upper hand through the 1990s and early 2000s.
India’s Best Test Victories Against South Africa
- A first (and to date only) Test victory on South African soil, at Johannesburg in 2006.
- Victory under the captaincy of Virat Kohli in 2021, Test triumphed at Centurion.
- Three dominating home wins in Nagpur, Ranchi and Pune during the 2019 series.
South Africa’s Biggest Test Wins Against India
- Series victories in South Africa during the late 1990s and 2000s.
- And the memorable performances at Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
- 2-0 Test series win in India (2025-26)
Analysis
The home games have been significant in this rivalry! India usually has an upper hand on spinning tracks and South Africa are hard to beat on fast and bouncy pitches. The contrasting playing conditions and quality bowling attacks make winning an away Test series one of the most hard tests for both teams.
India vs South Africa ODI Head to Head Stats
Overall ODI Record
| Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result/Tie |
| 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 |
South Africa leads the ODI rivalry, although India has narrowed the gap considerably during the last decade.
Most Memorable ODI Matches
2011 World Cup Match
South Africa defeated India in a thrilling contest despite Sachin Tendulkar’s century.
2015 World Cup Match
India secured a dominant victory in Melbourne, marking their first World Cup win over South Africa.
2023 World Cup Encounter
India produced one of their finest World Cup performances, defeating South Africa comprehensively at Eden Gardens.
Major Bilateral Clashes
- India’s historic 5-1 ODI series win in South Africa in 2018.
- Several high-scoring encounters featuring Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Quinton de Kock.
Highest Team Totals in ODIs
| Team | Score | Venue | Year |
| South Africa | 438/4 | Mumbai | 2015 |
| India | 414/7 | Mumbai | 2015 |
| India | 401/3 | Gwalior | 2010 |
| South Africa | 362/6 | Ahmedabad | 2025 |
India vs South Africa T20I Head to Head Record
Overall T20I Stats
| Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result |
| 39 | 21 | 13 | 5 |
India enjoys a clear advantage in the shortest format.
T20 World Cup Meetings
2007 T20 World Cup
India defeated South Africa in a crucial group-stage match.
2014 T20 World Cup
India beat South Africa in the semi-final to reach the final.
2022 T20 World Cup
South Africa defeated India during the Super 12 stage.
2024 T20 World Cup Final
India defeated South Africa in a dramatic final to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.
Highest Individual Scores in India vs South Africa T20Is
| Player | Runs | Team | Venue |
| Tilak Varma | 120* | India | Johannesburg |
| Rohit Sharma | 106 | India | Dharamsala |
| David Miller | 106* | South Africa | Guwahati |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 100+ | India | Johannesburg |
South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
This section covers the South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline.
| Year | Event / Series | Result |
| 1991 | South Africa returned to international cricket after apartheid ban | First ODI vs India at Kolkata |
| 1992 | First-ever Test series between India and South Africa | South Africa won 1-0 |
| 1992 | Cricket World Cup encounter in Australia | South Africa won |
| 1996 | ICC Cricket World Cup Quarter-final | India defeated South Africa |
| 1996-97 | India’s first Test series win over South Africa at home | India won series 2-1 |
| 2000 | South Africa toured India for Test series | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 2001 | ODI series in South Africa | South Africa won |
| 2006-07 | Historic Indian Test win in South Africa | India won first Test at Johannesburg |
| 2007 | ICC T20 World Cup Group Match | India won by 37 runs |
| 2008 | Test series in India | Drawn 1-1 |
| 2010-11 | Test series in South Africa | Drawn 1-1 |
| 2011 | ICC Cricket World Cup Group Stage | South Africa won by 3 wickets |
| 2013 | ODI series in South Africa | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 2015 | ICC Cricket World Cup Pool Match | India won by 130 runs |
| 2015-16 | South Africa tour of India | India won Test series 3-0 |
| 2018 | India tour of South Africa | South Africa won Tests 2-1; India won ODIs 5-1 and T20Is 2-1 |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup League Match | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2019-20 | Test series in India | India won 3-0 |
| 2021-22 | Test series in South Africa | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 2022 | T20I series in India | Drawn 2-2 |
| 2022 | ODI series in India | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 2023 | India tour of South Africa | Test series drawn 1-1 |
| 2023 | ODI series in South Africa | India won 2-1 |
| 2024 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final | India defeated South Africa by 7 runs |
| 2025 | ODI series in India | India won 2-1 |
| 2025 | Test series in India | South Africa won 2-0, first Test series win in India in 25 years |
| 2025 | T20I series in India | India won 3-1 (one match abandoned) |
| 2026 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 Match | South Africa defeated India by 76 runs |
India vs South Africa Player Stats and Records
Most Runs in India vs South Africa Matches
| Player | Team | Runs |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 3,000+ |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 3,000+ |
| Virat Kohli | India | 2,800+ |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 2,000+ |
Most Wickets in India vs South Africa Matches
| Player | Team | Wickets |
| Anil Kumble | India | 130+ |
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 90+ |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 80+ |
| Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 80+ |
Best Batting Average
Jacques Kallis remains among the most consistent performers in India-South Africa contests with an outstanding average across formats.
Best Bowling Figures
Anil Kumble’s match-winning spells and Dale Steyn’s pace masterclasses rank among the finest bowling performances in the rivalry.
Top Individual Performances in India vs South Africa Cricket History
Highest Individual Scores
| Player | Score | Format |
| Virender Sehwag | 319 | Test |
| Virat Kohli | 160* | ODI |
| Hashim Amla | 153 | ODI |
| Tilak Varma | 120* | T20I |
Best Bowling Performances
| Player | Figures | Format |
| Anil Kumble | 8/84 | Test |
| Dale Steyn | 7 wickets in innings | Test |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 5/7 | T20I |
| Allan Donald | 6 wickets | ODI |
Most Centuries
| Player | Centuries |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 15+ |
| Virat Kohli | 12+ |
| Jacques Kallis | 10+ |
| AB de Villiers | 8+ |
Most Five-Wicket Hauls
| Player | Five-Wicket Hauls |
| Anil Kumble | Multiple |
| Dale Steyn | Multiple |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Multiple |
| Shaun Pollock | Multiple |
India vs South Africa ICC Tournament Records
ODI World Cup Matches
| Team | Wins |
| India | 4 |
| South Africa | 3 |
T20 World Cup Matches
| Team | Wins |
| India | 4 |
| South Africa | 1 |
ICC Champions Trophy Matches
| Team | Wins |
| India | 2 |
| South Africa | 2 |
ICC Knockout Encounters
India has generally enjoyed better success in ICC knockout matches, including the famous 2024 T20 World Cup Final victory.
Venue-Wise India vs South Africa Stats
In India
India has historically dominated at home thanks to spin-friendly conditions.
In South Africa
South Africa holds a stronger record due to pace-friendly pitches and familiar conditions.
Neutral Venues
World Cups and ICC tournaments have produced several classic contests.
| Venue Type | Matches | India Wins | SA Wins |
| India | 70+ | 40+ | 20+ |
| South Africa | 70+ | 20+ | 40+ |
| Neutral Venues | 30+ | 19+ | 20+ |
Recent India vs South Africa Series Results (2020–2026)
2021-22 South Africa vs India Test Series
South Africa won 2-1 after losing the opening Test.
2022 T20I Series
The series ended evenly after several closely contested matches.
2023 ODI Series
India secured important victories while experimenting with young players.
2023-24 Tour of South Africa
The Test series was drawn 1-1, showcasing excellent cricket from both sides.
2024 T20 World Cup Final
India defeated South Africa by 7 runs to claim the world title.
Latest 2025/2026 Meetings
- South Africa won the Test series 2-0 in India.
- India won the ODI series 2-1.
- India won the T20I series 3-1 with one no-result.
Analysis
India have always been noted for their depth in batting, and spin is currently one of South Africa’s strengths too; they continue to unearth brilliant new fast bowlers every passing year. With younger blood adding interest to the rivalry, such as Tilak Varma, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton.
Why the India vs South Africa Cricket Rivalry Is Special
A few things make this rivalry unique:
- Strong competitive balance across formats.
- Legendary fast bowlers are Dale Steyn, Allan Donald, Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah.
- Sachin Tendulkar Virat Kohli Jacques Kallis AB de Villiers Hashim Amla (left to right)
- Memorable ICC World Cup clashes.
- World-class cricket at all venues on any given day.
The one-sided contests that sometimes crop up in other rivalries are an aberration in this case, and keep fans on their toes with every version of the matchup.
Read More: One-Off Tournaments || CCL 2026 Points Table || ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Key Takeaways from South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Stats
South AfricaNational Cricket Team vsIndiaNational Cricket Team Stats: The rivalry is strikingly equal. In Tests and ODIs, South Africa still leads the overall Head to Head count with India but by a narrow margin; India’s dominance in T20Is is complete. Over the years, this rivalry has been defined by legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Virat Kohli along with Dale Steyn and Anil Kumble. The most recent results show that both remain evenly matched and should ensure many more thrilling encounters to come. With promise on both sides, the India-South Africa rivalry should stay one of the best contests of cricket for years.
FAQs
What is the overall Head to Head record between India and South Africa?
Across all formats, South Africa holds a narrow overall lead with more total victories than India.
Which team has won more Test matches, India or South Africa?
South Africa has won more Test matches against India.
Who has scored the most runs in India vs South Africa matches?
Among modern players, Virat Kohli and Jacques Kallis rank among the highest run-scorers in the rivalry.
What is the highest team score in India vs South Africa ODIs?
South Africa’s 438/4 at Mumbai in 2015 remains one of the highest totals recorded in India-South Africa ODI history.
Which team won the 2024 T20 World Cup Final between India and South Africa?
India defeated South Africa in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final.
What are the latest South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team stats?
The latest records show South Africa leading overall in Tests and ODIs, while India leads in T20Is. Recent bilateral results include India’s ODI and T20I series victories and South Africa’s Test series success during the 2025-26 season.
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