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The South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team matches have become one of the most competitive rivalries in international cricket. The two teams have produced memorable Test battles, high-scoring ODIs and dramatic T20I contests, including the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final.
South Africa returned to international cricket in the early 1990s after the end of its sporting isolation. India and South Africa played their first official ODI series in November 1991, while their first Test meeting came in Durban in November 1992.
Since then, the rivalry has expanded across all three formats. South Africa have historically held the advantage in Tests and ODIs, while India have the stronger overall T20I record.
As of October 2026, the teams have played 46 Tests, 97 ODIs and 36 T20Is. South Africa lead the Test and ODI records, while India lead the T20I head-to-head record.
South Africa vs India Head-to-Head Record
The overall numbers show how closely contested the rivalry has been.
| Format | Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | Draw/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 Draws |
| ODIs | 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 No Results |
| T20Is | 36 | 21 | 14 | 1 No Result |
| Total | 179 | 79 | 86 | 14 |
In Test cricket, South Africa lead India by 20 wins to 16. The teams have also drawn 10 Tests.
The ODI rivalry has been even more favorable historically for South Africa, who have won 52 of 97 meetings compared with India’s 42. Three ODIs have ended without a result.
T20I cricket has produced a different pattern. India lead South Africa 21–14, with one no-result match.
Beginning of the India vs South Africa Rivalry
The first official ODI meeting took place in India in November 1991. It was a historic occasion because South Africa’s return to international cricket came after years of sporting isolation during the apartheid era.
India won the first ODI in the series, but South Africa quickly demonstrated its competitiveness. The three-match series finished 2–1 in India’s favor.
The first Test between the sides followed in November 1992 at Kingsmead in Durban. The match ended in a draw, with South African captain Kepler Wessels scoring 118.
India’s first Test tour of South Africa also introduced fans to a new generation of South African fast bowlers, including Allan Donald, while Indian cricket featured established stars such as Kapil Dev and a young Sachin Tendulkar.
India vs South Africa Test Match History
Test cricket remains an important part of this rivalry because the conditions in South Africa provide a major challenge for visiting teams.
Across 46 Tests, South Africa have won 20, India have won 16 and 10 have ended in draws.
| Test Record | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 46 | 46 |
| Wins | 16 | 20 |
| Losses | 20 | 16 |
| Draws | 10 | 10 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
India have historically found South African conditions challenging. However, India have also achieved important Test victories in South Africa, including series-winning performances under modern leadership.
South Africa’s 2025 tour of India produced one of the biggest recent changes in the rivalry.
South Africa’s 2-0 Test Series Win in India in 2025
South Africa defeated India 2–0 in the two-Test series in November 2025. It was only South Africa’s second Test series victory in India after 2000.
The first Test in Kolkata was won by South Africa by 30 runs. India were set only 124 to win but were bowled out for 93 in the fourth innings.
The second Test in Guwahati produced an even bigger result. South Africa won by 408 runs after setting India a target of 549. India were dismissed for 140 in their second innings.
| 2025 Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Kolkata | South Africa won by 30 runs |
| 2nd Test | Guwahati | South Africa won by 408 runs |
| Series | India | South Africa won 2-0 |
The 408-run defeat was India’s heaviest Test defeat by runs.
India vs South Africa ODI Head-to-Head
The ODI rivalry has produced 97 completed matches, with South Africa winning 52 and India winning 42. Three matches have ended without a result.
| ODI Record | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 97 | 97 |
| Wins | 42 | 52 |
| Losses | 52 | 42 |
| No Results | 3 | 3 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
One of the most famous ODI performances in the rivalry came in 2010, when Sachin Tendulkar scored the first men’s ODI double century, making 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior.
India won that match by 153 runs after scoring 401/3.
2025 ODI Series
The most recent bilateral ODI series between India and South Africa was played in India in November and December 2025.
India won the first ODI in Ranchi by 17 runs. South Africa responded in the second match at Raipur, chasing 359 with four wickets remaining.
India then won the deciding ODI in Visakhapatnam by nine wickets.
| ODI | India | South Africa | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI, Ranchi | 349/8 | 332 | India won by 17 runs |
| 2nd ODI, Raipur | 358/5 | 362/6 | South Africa won by 4 wickets |
| 3rd ODI, Visakhapatnam | 271/1 | 270 | India won by 9 wickets |
| Series | — | — | India won 2-1 |
Virat Kohli was one of the standout performers, scoring 302 runs in the three-match series at an average of 151. His scores included centuries in the first two games.
India vs South Africa T20I Record
T20 cricket has produced a different head-to-head pattern.
India and South Africa have played 36 T20Is, with India winning 21 and South Africa winning 14. One match ended without a result.
| T20I Record | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 36 | 36 |
| Wins | 21 | 14 |
| Losses | 14 | 21 |
| No Results | 1 | 1 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
The first T20I between the teams was played in Johannesburg in December 2006. India won by six wickets.
Since then, the rivalry has featured several major ICC tournament matches.
2024 T20 World Cup Final: One of the Greatest India vs South Africa Matches
The most famous recent South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team matches was the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Barbados.
India batted first and scored 176/7. Virat Kohli top-scored with 76 from 59 balls, while Axar Patel contributed 47 from 31.
South Africa appeared to be in a strong position during the chase, particularly after Heinrich Klaasen attacked the Indian bowlers.
Klaasen scored 52 from 27 balls, but India fought back during the final stages. Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen and David Miller, while Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh bowled crucial overs.
South Africa finished on 169/8.
India won by seven runs and claimed their second men’s T20 World Cup title.
| 2024 T20 World Cup Final | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 176/7 | 169/8 |
| Result | India won by 7 runs | Lost |
| Venue | Kensington Oval, Barbados | |
| Virat Kohli | 76 off 59 | |
| Heinrich Klaasen | — | 52 off 27 |
| Player of the Match | Virat Kohli |
The match remains one of the defining encounters in modern T20 international cricket.
2026 T20 World Cup: South Africa Beat India by 76 Runs
The rivalry produced another major T20 meeting in February 2026 during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eight stage.
South Africa scored 187/7 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. David Miller was named Player of the Match after scoring 63 from 35 balls.
India struggled during the chase and were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs.
Shivam Dube scored 42 from 37 balls, but South Africa’s bowling attack kept control of the innings. Marco Jansen took 3/22, while Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch also played important roles.
South Africa won by 76 runs.
| 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eight | South Africa | India |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 187/7 | 111 |
| Result | South Africa won by 76 runs | Lost |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | |
| Top South Africa batter | David Miller – 63 | |
| Top India batter | Shivam Dube – 42 | |
| Best South Africa bowler | Marco Jansen – 3/22 |
Recent India vs South Africa Results
The following table covers several of the latest men’s international meetings.
| Date | Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | Test | Kolkata | South Africa won by 30 runs |
| Nov 2025 | Test | Guwahati | South Africa won by 408 runs |
| Nov 2025 | ODI | Ranchi | India won by 17 runs |
| Dec 2025 | ODI | Raipur | South Africa won by 4 wickets |
| Dec 2025 | ODI | Visakhapatnam | India won by 9 wickets |
| Dec 2025 | T20I | Cuttack | India won by 101 runs |
| Dec 2025 | T20I | Chandigarh | South Africa won by 51 runs |
| Dec 2025 | T20I | Dharamsala | India won by 7 wickets |
| Dec 2025 | T20I | Lucknow | Abandoned |
| Dec 2025 | T20I | Ahmedabad | India won by 30 runs |
| Feb 2026 | T20 World Cup | Ahmedabad | South Africa won by 76 runs |
The 2025 multi-format tour therefore produced a 2-0 Test series victory for South Africa, a 2-1 ODI series victory for India and a 3-1 T20I series victory for India, with one T20I abandoned.
Key Players in the Rivalry
India’s Key Players
Sachin Tendulkar: Tendulkar’s 200 not out in Gwalior remains one of the most memorable ODI performances between the teams.
Virat Kohli: Kohli has produced several major performances against South Africa. He scored 76 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final and made 302 runs in India’s 2025 ODI series against the Proteas.
Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah has become one of India’s most important fast bowlers in high-pressure matches, including the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Rohit Sharma: Rohit has played a major leadership and batting role in India’s modern contests against South Africa.
South Africa’s Key Players
AB de Villiers: One of South Africa’s greatest batters, de Villiers produced numerous memorable innings against India.
Hashim Amla: Amla’s consistency made him a key part of South Africa’s batting lineup during the 2010s.
Quinton de Kock: De Kock has been an important limited-overs batter and wicketkeeper for South Africa.
Kagiso Rabada: Rabada has been one of South Africa’s leading fast bowlers and has delivered important spells against India.
Aiden Markram: Markram has become an important all-format player and leader for South Africa.
Why India vs South Africa Matches Are So Competitive
The rivalry combines contrasting cricketing conditions and playing styles.
South African pitches have traditionally provided pace, bounce and movement for fast bowlers, creating a significant challenge for visiting Indian teams.
Indian conditions, meanwhile, can offer slower surfaces and assistance for spin bowling. This difference makes home advantage particularly relevant in Test and ODI series.
The rivalry has also evolved with the growth of T20 cricket. Modern India-South Africa matches feature aggressive batting, specialist death bowling and players experienced in franchise cricket around the world.
South Africa vs India Matches: Key Takeaways
- India and South Africa first met in an official ODI series in 1991.
- Their first Test was played at Durban in 1992.
- The teams have played 46 Tests, with South Africa winning 20 and India 16.
- They have played 97 ODIs, with South Africa winning 52 and India 42.
- They have played 36 T20Is, with India winning 21 and South Africa 14.
- India won the 2024 T20 World Cup final by seven runs.
- South Africa won the 2025 Test series in India 2-0.
- India won the 2025 ODI series 2-1.
- India won the 2025 T20I series 3-1, with one match abandoned.
- South Africa defeated India by 76 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eight.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s 200 not out is one of the most famous ODI performances in the rivalry.
- Virat Kohli scored 302 runs in the 2025 ODI series against South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did India and South Africa first play cricket?
India and South Africa first played an official ODI series in November 1991. Their first Test match was played in Durban in November 1992.
Who has won more Test matches between India and South Africa?
South Africa have won more Tests. Across 46 meetings, South Africa have 20 wins compared with India’s 16, with 10 draws.
Who has won more ODIs between India and South Africa?
South Africa lead the ODI head-to-head record with 52 wins from 97 matches. India have won 42, while three matches ended without a result.
Who has won more T20Is between India and South Africa?
India lead the T20I record. India have won 21 of the 36 meetings, while South Africa have won 14 and one match had no result.
Who won the 2024 T20 World Cup final?
India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup final at Kensington Oval in Barbados. India scored 176/7 and South Africa made 169/8.
What happened in the latest India vs South Africa T20 World Cup match?
South Africa defeated India by 76 runs in the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. South Africa scored 187/7 before dismissing India for 111.
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