Introduction to India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team is one of the most exciting and fiercely contested in international cricket. Both teams boast rich cricketing histories, legendary players, and passionate fanbases. Over the decades, their encounters have delivered some truly iconic matches, from thrilling Test battles to high-stakes One Day Internationals (ODIs) and electrifying T20 clashes.
This article explores the complete timeline of matches between India and South Africa, including a detailed head-to-head record across all formats of the game. Whether you’re a fan of Test cricket’s rich traditions or the excitement of T20s, this article will give you a comprehensive view of how the rivalry between India and South Africa has unfolded.
Table of Contents
India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Record
India and South Africa have played each other in all three major formats: Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Here’s a look at the head-to-head statistics between these two cricketing giants:
Head-to-Head Record Table
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Matches | 45 | 17 | 18 | 10 |
| ODIs | 91 | 40 | 50 | 1 |
| T20Is | 26 | 13 | 11 | 2 |
Note: Stats are accurate as of April 2025 and may vary with future encounters.
India vs South Africa: Timeline of Key Matches & Series
India and South Africa have faced off in cricketing battles since 1991, when South Africa was readmitted into international cricket after the apartheid ban. Since then, each series has added new layers to this dynamic rivalry.
Here’s a detailed timeline of India vs South Africa matches and series results across formats:
Test Series Timeline
| Year | Series | Host Country | Matches | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 4 | Drawn 1-1 |
| 1996 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 2-0 |
| 2000 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 2 | India won 1-0 |
| 2001 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 1-0 |
| 2004 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 2 | India won 1-0 |
| 2006 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 2-1 |
| 2008 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | Drawn 1-1 |
| 2010 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | Drawn 1-1 |
| 2013 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 2 | SA won 1-0 |
| 2015 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 4 | India won 3-0 |
| 2018 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 2-1 |
| 2019 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | India won 3-0 |
| 2021 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 2-1 |
| 2023 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 2 | Drawn 1-1 |
ODI Series Timeline
| Year | Series | Host Country | Matches | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 2-1 |
| 1992 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 6 | India won 5-1 |
| 1996 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 5 | SA won 3-2 |
| 2000 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 5 | India won 3-2 |
| 2001 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 7 | SA won 5-2 |
| 2005 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 5 | Drawn 2-2 |
| 2006 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 4 | SA won 4-0 |
| 2010 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 5 | India won 3-2 |
| 2011 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 5 | SA won 3-2 |
| 2013 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | SA won 2-0 |
| 2015 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 5 | SA won 3-2 |
| 2018 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 6 | India won 5-1 |
| 2020 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | Abandoned (COVID-19) |
| 2022 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | SA won 2-1 |
| 2023 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | India won 2-1 |
T20I Series Timeline
| Year | Series | Host Country | Matches | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 1 | India won |
| 2009 | ICC World T20 | England | 1 | India won |
| 2011 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 1 | India won |
| 2015 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | SA won 2-0 |
| 2018 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | India won 2-1 |
| 2019 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | Drawn 1-1 |
| 2022 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 5 | Drawn 2-2 |
| 2022 | India Tour of South Africa | South Africa | 3 | India won 2-1 |
| 2023 | South Africa Tour of India | India | 3 | Drawn 1-1 |
Notable Matches and Historic Performances
Test Cricket Highlights
- 2001 Cape Town Test: Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman’s fightback went in vain as South Africa secured a home win.
- 2010 Kolkata Test: India’s dramatic comeback led by Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar helped level the series.
- 2018 Johannesburg Test: India’s only win in an otherwise tough series was considered a bowling masterclass.
ODI Thrillers
- 1996 Kanpur ODI: Sachin Tendulkar’s blistering 127 helped India win a tight match.
- 2013 Johannesburg ODI: Quinton de Kock scored back-to-back centuries, dominating India’s bowling attack.
- 2018 Centurion ODI: Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal wrecked havoc as India took a 5-1 series win.
T20I Performances
- 2007 ICC T20 World Cup: India knocked South Africa out of the tournament, going on to win the inaugural title.
- 2022 Delhi T20I: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s explosive start and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing bowling gave India a strong win.
Rivalry Analysis: India vs South Africa
The rivalry between India and South Africa is intense yet respectful. Historically, South Africa dominated early encounters, especially in Test and ODI formats due to their strong seam bowling attack and solid top order. However, over the past decade, India has balanced the scales, especially with their dominance in home conditions and vastly improved pace attack.
Both teams have shown remarkable growth and talent development, producing global cricket stars like Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, and AB de Villiers for South Africa, and Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah for India.
Statistical Leaders: India vs South Africa
Top Run Scorers (All Formats Combined)
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 57 | 3399 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 59 | 3200 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 50+ | 2700+ |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 45+ | 2500+ |
Leading Wicket-Takers
| Player | Country | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Kumble | India | 35 | 84 |
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 30+ | 80+ |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 25+ | 75+ |
| Allan Donald | South Africa | 25 | 65 |
Future of the Rivalry
With the emergence of young talents like Shubman Gill, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, and Arshdeep Singh, the future of India vs South Africa cricket looks thrilling. Both teams are investing in youth, fitness, and innovative strategies, making every encounter a spectacle for fans.
Upcoming tours and ICC tournaments will continue to fuel this legendary cricket rivalry.
Conclusion
The India vs South Africa cricket rivalry is a saga of pride, resilience, and world-class cricket. From Sachin vs Donald to Bumrah vs Rabada, every generation has contributed to this gripping sporting narrative. The head-to-head stats, iconic moments, and upcoming matches ensure that fans from both nations will always be on the edge of their seats when these two titans clash.
As the cricketing world continues to evolve, so does this rivalry. It’s not just about numbers and victories—it’s about passion, pride, and unforgettable cricketing moments that define generations.
Also read – Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
