The South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline is a compelling chronicle of competitive spirit, dramatic finishes, and mutual respect between two cricketing nations that punch above their weight on the global stage. South Africa, known for their power-hitting and pace-bowling pedigree, re-entered international cricket in 1991 after apartheid-era isolation, while New Zealand, the perennial underdogs, have consistently defied odds with grit and tactical brilliance.
Their rivalry, though not as storied as Ashes or India-Pakistan, has produced nail-biting finishes, especially in World Cups and bilateral series. Fans relish their contests for their unpredictability and sportsmanship — epitomized by matches like the 2015 World Cup thriller in Auckland. This timeline captures every twist, turn, and triumph in their cricketing journey.
Table of Contents
Test Matches Timeline
The Test rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand may not be the most frequent, but it’s rich in drama and technical excellence. South Africa’s seam-friendly pitches often challenge New Zealand’s famed resilience, while Kiwi spinners and openers have occasionally tamed the Proteas’ bowling attacks. Below is a comprehensive table chronicling every Test match between the two sides, highlighting venues, results, and standout performers who shaped these contests.
| 1961 | Durban | Test | South Africa won by 30 runs | John Reid(NZ) top-scored with 76;Hugh Tayfieldtook 9 wickets |
| 1994 | Johannesburg | Test | South Africa won by 9 wickets | Hansie Cronje(86*) andAllan Donald(5/77) dominated |
| 1999 | Hamilton | Test | Draw | Jacques Kallis(102) andStephen Fleming(87) anchored respective innings |
| 2000 | Centurion | Test | South Africa won by 200 runs | Shaun Pollock(6/38) dismantled NZ top order |
| 2004 | Cape Town | Test | South Africa won by 197 runs | Graeme Smith(142) andMakhaya Ntini(7/74) starred |
| 2006 | Johannesburg | Test | South Africa won by 128 runs | Jacques Rudolph(222*) posted highest SA score vs NZ |
| 2013 | Dunedin | Test | Draw | Brendon McCullum(139) andAB de Villiers(106) lit up Day 1 |
| 2016 | Durban | Test | South Africa won by 204 runs | Dean Elgar(118) andKagiso Rabada(6/42) sealed victory |
| 2022 | Christchurch | Test | New Zealand won by 198 runs | Tom Latham(108) andNeil Wagner(6/106) led NZ to rare away win |
| 2024 | Cape Town | Test | South Africa won by 7 wickets | Temba Bavuma(98*) andKeshav Maharaj(5/58) turned match |
ODI Matches Timeline
One-Day Internationals between South Africa and New Zealand are where the rivalry truly ignites — packed with last-over thrillers, record chases, and heartbreaks. The 2015 World Cup semi-final remains etched in history, but numerous bilateral series have delivered fireworks. Below is the full ODI timeline, capturing every encounter with venue, result, and match-defining moments.
| 1992 | Auckland | ODI | New Zealand won by 5 wickets | First ODI post-SA’s readmission;Martin Crowe(82*) masterclass |
| 1994 | East London | ODI | South Africa won by 7 wickets | Hansie Cronje(112*) andGary Kirsten(89) chased 250+ |
| 1999 | Birmingham | ODI (World Cup) | South Africa won by 3 wickets | Lance Klusener(52* off 25) andAllan Donaldrun-out drama |
| 2000 | Johannesburg | ODI | South Africa won by 6 wickets | Jonty Rhodes(99*) andShaun Pollock(3/22) |
| 2004 | Centurion | ODI | South Africa won by 8 wickets | Graeme Smith(141) andJacques Kallis(3/34) |
| 2012 | Kimberley | ODI | New Zealand won by 27 runs | Brendon McCullum(116 off 73) blitz stunned SA |
| 2015 | Auckland | ODI (World Cup SF) | New Zealand won via D/L | Grant Elliott(84*) hit winning six offDale Steyn |
| 2017 | Paarl | ODI | South Africa won by 123 runs | Quinton de Kock(109) andImran Tahir(5/45) |
| 2020 | Mount Maunganui | ODI | New Zealand won by 5 wickets | Kane Williamson(97*) andLockie Ferguson(3/35) |
| 2023 | Potchefstroom | ODI | South Africa won by 8 wickets | Heinrich Klaasen(104*) fastest SA century vs NZ |
T20 Matches Timeline
T20 clashes between South Africa and New Zealand are explosive, often decided in the final over or by a single boundary. Both teams boast power-hitters and death-bowling specialists, making every encounter a box-office spectacle. Their T20 history, though shorter, is no less thrilling — with last-ball finishes and record-breaking innings. Here’s the complete T20I timeline:
| 2005 | Johannesburg | T20I | South Africa won by 6 wickets | First-ever T20I between teams;Graeme Smith(71*) chased 156 |
| 2007 | Auckland | T20I | New Zealand won by 4 wickets | Brendon McCullum(63 off 31) andDaniel Vettori(2/18) |
| 2012 | East London | T20I | South Africa won by 2 wickets | AB de Villiers(79* off 34) rescued SA from 48/5 |
| 2015 | Durban | T20I | South Africa won by 5 wickets | David Miller(75* off 31) chased 193 in 18.3 overs |
| 2017 | Cape Town | T20I | New Zealand won by 3 wickets | Colin Munro(76* off 43) andTrent Boult(3/23) |
| 2020 | Mount Maunganui | T20I | New Zealand won by 4 wickets | Glenn Phillips(50 off 24) andIsh Sodhi(3/28) |
| 2022 | Johannesburg | T20I | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Rassie van der Dussen(75*) andAnrich Nortje(3/25) |
| 2023 | Christchurch | T20I | New Zealand won by 38 runs | Devon Conway(92*) andMitchell Santner(3/19) |
| 2024 | Gqeberha | T20I | South Africa won by 6 runs | Marco Jansen(4/22) andHeinrich Klaasen(67 off 30) |
Top Performances in South Africa vs New Zealand Matches
The South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline is studded with individual brilliance. Jacques Kallis leads run-scoring in Tests with 1,291 runs at 53.79, while Shaun Pollock tops wicket-takers with 46 scalps. In ODIs, AB de Villiers (1,289 runs) and Daniel Vettori (37 wickets) dominate. T20s belong to Brendon McCullum (302 runs, strike rate 155) and Dale Steyn (18 wickets). Memorable feats include Heinrich Klaasen’s 48-ball century in 2023, the fastest by a SA batter vs NZ, and Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 148 in Hamilton (2015) — the highest ODI score by a Kiwi against SA. Kagiso Rabada’s 6/16 in 2016 remains the best SA bowling figures vs NZ in T20Is.
Head-to-Head Stats
Format-wise, South Africa dominates overall, but New Zealand’s recent surge — especially in ICC tournaments — has leveled the psychological playing field. In Tests, SA leads 15-3 with 9 draws. ODIs: SA 37 wins, NZ 28 wins, 3 no-results. T20Is: NZ leads 10-8. Notably, NZ has won 4 of the last 5 World Cup/OdI knockout encounters, including the 2015 semi-final. SA dominates home Tests (12-1), while NZ performs better in ODIs in neutral venues. T20 stats reveal NZ’s superior death bowling and SA’s explosive middle order. The South Africa vs New Zealand cricket history shows SA’s consistency vs NZ’s clutch performances in high-stakes games.
Memorable Moments and Highlights
Few rivalries offer moments as iconic as the South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline. The 1999 World Cup Super Six match, where Klusener and Donald’s run-out gifted NZ victory, remains infamous. The 2015 World Cup semi-final — Grant Elliott’s six off Steyn — is hailed as one of cricket’s greatest finishes. In 2022, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell’s 359-run stand in Christchurch stunned SA bowlers. Controversies? The 2000 ODI where Pollock was no-balled for chucking sparked debate. Emotional moments include AB de Villiers and Brendon McCullum’s mutual respect during farewell tours. These matches aren’t just games — they’re folklore.
Conclusion: The Rivalry Marches On
The South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline is a tapestry of grit, grace, and grandeur. While South Africa historically holds statistical dominance, New Zealand’s knack for rising in crunch moments — especially in World Cups — keeps fans perpetually on edge. Future fixtures, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and a 2026 Test tour of NZ, promise more fireworks. With emerging stars like Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, and Keshav Maharaj joining legends, this rivalry is far from over. Who will blink first next time? Drop your predictions below — and don’t forget to share your favorite SA vs NZ moment with fellow fans!
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