The South Africa vs India cricket timeline spans 34 years of thrilling encounters since their first meeting in 1991. This rivalry features 200+ matches across all formats, with India leading the head-to-head record in recent years.
Key highlights include India’s historic 1996 Test series win, dramatic World Cup battles, and the emergence of modern cricket legends from both nations.
Quick Timeline Overview:
- 1991: First ODI encounter in Durban
- 1992: Inaugural Test series begins
- 1996: India’s breakthrough Test series victory
- 2003-2019: Epic World Cup encounters
- 2018-2025: Modern era dominance battles
1991: The Beginning of SA vs India Cricket Rivalry
November 10, 1991 – First ODI Match (Durban)
South Africa 177/9 (50 overs) beat India 173 all out (49.2 overs)
- Venue: Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
- Man of the Match: Hansie Cronje (SA)
- Significance: South Africa’s return to international cricket after isolation
This historic encounter marked the Proteas’ first ODI victory against any team since their return. Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s team struggled against the pace of Allan Donald and the swing bowling conditions in Durban.
Expert Opinion: “This match symbolized South Africa’s hunger to prove themselves on the international stage. They were desperate for respect.” – Former India coach John Wright
1992: First Test Series – South Africa’s Home Advantage
Test Series Result: South Africa won 1-0
| Match | Venue | Result | Key Performances |
| 1st Test | Durban | Draw | Kapil Dev 129 |
| 2nd Test | Johannesburg | SA won by 9 wickets | Donald 5/71 |
| 3rd Test | Cape Town | Draw | Azharuddin 109* |
Series Summary: Indian batsmen found South African pitches challenging, with extra bounce and pace causing problems. Allan Donald’s express pace and Gary Kirsten’s solid batting gave Team India their first real taste of South African cricket conditions.
1993-1995: Building the Cricket Rivalry
Key ODI Encounters:
- 1993 Hero Cup (India): India won 2-1 in triangular series
- 1994 SA Tour: Proteas won ODI series 5-2
- 1995 India Tour: India bounced back with 3-2 series win
Rising Stars Period: This era saw the emergence of Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly for India, and Daryll Cullinan, Shaun Pollock for South Africa.
1996-2000: India’s Breakthrough Era
1996 Test Series in India: Historic Victory
Series Result: India won 2-1
| Test | Venue | Result | Key Moment |
| 1st | Ahmedabad | India won by 64 runs | Kumble 6/53 |
| 2nd | Calcutta | SA won by 329 runs | Cronje 135 |
| 3rd | Kanpur | India won by 280 runs | Tendulkar 169 |
Historic Achievement: India’s first-ever Test series victory against South Africa, with Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> leading the charge. This series established India as a formidable home team.
1999 Cricket World Cup Group Stage
India 183 beat South Africa 149 (Hove, England)
- Man of the Match: Robin Singh (India)
- Impact: India progressed while SA suffered another World Cup heartbreak
2001-2010: World Cup Battles and Overseas Tests
2003 World Cup Group Stage Drama
March 1, 2003 – SuperSport Park, Centurion India 250/9 beat South Africa 248 all out
Match-Turning Moment: Yuvraj Singh’s brilliant fielding and Harbhajan Singh’s crucial wickets helped India secure a thrilling 2-run victory. This win was vital for India’s journey to the World Cup final.
Fan Perspective: “This victory gave us belief that we could beat anyone anywhere” – Popular sentiment among Indian cricket fans
2006: India’s First Test Win in South Africa
December 26-30, 2006 – Johannesburg (Wanderers) India 249 & 249/8 beat South Africa 84 & 411
Historic Breakthrough: VVS Laxman’s patient 73* and excellent bowling by Sreesanth marked India’s first Test victory on South African soil. The win ended a 15-year wait.
2007: T20 World Cup Glory Path
ICC T20 World Cup Super 8
September 16, 2007 – Durban India 153/5 beat South Africa 116 all out
Star Performance: MS Dhoni’s captaincy and Rohit Sharma’s 50* propelled India toward their first T20 World Cup title. South Africa’s batting collapsed under pressure once again.
2010-2015: Changing of the Guard
2010 Test Series in South Africa
Series Result: South Africa won 1-0
India’s batting struggled against Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander. This series highlighted the difference between home and away performances for both teams.
2013-14: Closely Fought Battles
Test Series: Drawn 1-1 ODI Series: India won 3-2
Emerging Stars: Virat Kohli established himself as India’s batting cornerstone, while AB de Villiers reached his peak for South Africa.
2015 ODI Series in South Africa
Series Result: India won 3-2
| Match | Venue | Result | Key Performance |
| 1st ODI | Durban | SA won by 141 runs | Du Plessis 133 |
| 2nd ODI | Johannesburg | India won by 22 runs | Kohli 138 |
| 3rd ODI | Cape Town | India won by 5 wickets | Dhoni 51* |
| 4th ODI | Port Elizabeth | India won by 18 runs | Rahane 60 |
| 5th ODI | Centurion | SA won by 214 runs | Miller 117* |
Series Significance: India’s first-ever ODI series victory in South Africa, establishing their credentials as a complete touring side.
2016-2020: Modern Cricket Era
2018 Test Series: Freedom Series
Series Result: South Africa won 2-1
Standout Performances:
- Vernon Philander: 15 wickets in 2 matches
- Virat Kohli: 286 runs at 47.66 average
- Jasprit Bumrah: Announced arrival with 14 wickets
Expert Analysis: “This series showed how modern fast bowling has evolved. Both teams had world-class pace attacks.” – Former SA captain Graeme Smith
2019 World Cup Encounter
June 5, 2019 – Southampton India 227/9 beat South Africa 202/9
Match Highlights:
- Rohit Sharma: 122* (13th ODI century)
- Yuzvendra Chahal: 4/51
- Tournament Impact: India remained unbeaten; SA’s campaign struggled
2021-2025: Current Era Highlights
2021-22 Test Series in South Africa
Series Result: India won 2-1
Historic Achievement: India’s first-ever Test series victory in South Africa under KL Rahul’s captaincy in the final Test.
| Test | Venue | Result | Match-Winner |
| 1st | Centurion | India won by 113 runs | Bumrah 5/42 |
| 2nd | Johannesburg | SA won by 7 wickets | Elgar 96* |
| 3rd | Cape Town | India won by 7 wickets | Kohli 79 |
2022 T20I Series in India
Series Result: Drawn 2-2
Thriller Series: Both teams showcased modern T20 cricket at its finest, with the series featuring multiple last-over finishes and explosive batting displays.
2023-24: Recent Encounters
SA Tour of India (December 2023):
- T20I Series: India won 3-1
- ODI Series: India won 2-0
Key Performances: Mohammed Siraj’s pace bowling and Shubman Gill’s consistent batting highlighted India’s new generation.
Head-to-Head Cricket Statistics (1991-2025)
Overall Record Across All Formats
| Format | Matches | India Wins | SA Wins | Draws/NR | India Win % |
| Tests | 44 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 36.4% |
| ODIs | 92 | 47 | 38 | 7 | 51.1% |
| T20Is | 24 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 54.2% |
| Total | 160 | 76 | 65 | 19 | 47.5% |
World Cup Head-to-Head
- 1999 WC: India won
- 2003 WC: India won
- 2011 WC: South Africa won
- 2015 WC: India won
- 2019 WC: India won
World Cup Record: India leads 4-1
Legendary Players in SA vs India Rivalry
Indian Cricket Icons
Sachin Tendulkar
- Runs vs SA: 2,535 runs in 39 matches
- Best Performance: 169 in Kanpur Test 1996
- Legacy: Dominated SA bowling in home conditions
Virat Kohli
- Runs vs SA: 2,123 runs across formats
- Average: 54.7 in Tests vs SA
- Key Series: 2018 SA tour captain
MS Dhoni
- Impact: Led India to T20 WC victory path beating SA
- Finishing: Multiple series-winning knocks
South African Legends
Jacques Kallis
- Runs vs India: 2,789 runs + 83 wickets
- Best: 173 in Bangalore 2000
- Impact: Greatest all-rounder in this rivalry
AB de Villiers
- Strike Rate: 95+ across formats vs India
- Innovation: Redefined modern batting techniques
Dale Steyn
- Wickets vs India: 117 wickets at 24.2 average
- Fastest: Regularly clocked 150+ km/h vs India
Famous Cricket Venues in This Rivalry
In South Africa
Newlands, Cape Town
- Known For: India’s historic 2022 Test series win
- Atmosphere: Mountain backdrop, passionate crowds
- Record: Favors fast bowlers
Wanderers, Johannesburg
- Significance: India’s first Test win (2006)
- Nickname: “Bull Ring” for hostile atmosphere
- Altitude: 1,753m affects ball movement
In India
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Capacity: 66,000+ passionate fans
- SA Record: Struggled with spin and noise
- Iconic: 2001 series Test venue
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Recent: 2023 ODI series decider
- Conditions: Sea breeze helps swing bowlers
- Crowd: Celebrity watching, high energy
Recent Form and Future Cricket Schedule
2024-25 Current Form
India:
- Test Ranking: #1 in ICC Rankings
- Recent Series: 4-1 vs England at home
South Africa:
- Test Ranking: #4 in ICC Rankings
- Recent Series: Lost to India 0-2 (ODIs)
Upcoming Series Schedule
- March 2025: SA tour of India (3 Tests, 5 ODIs)
- December 2025: India tour of SA (4 Tests, 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is)
Championship Context: Both series crucial for ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Cricket Expert Analysis: Why This Rivalry Matters
Tactical Evolution: This rivalry showcased the evolution from pace-dominated cricket (1990s) to spin-friendly conditions (2000s) to modern all-format excellence (2010s+).
Cultural Impact: For Indian cricket fans, beating South Africa overseas became a benchmark of team strength. For SA supporters, conquering Indian conditions remained a holy grail.
Player Development: The rivalry produced multiple ICC Hall of Fame inductees and shaped modern cricket techniques, especially in batting against pace and spin bowling tactics.
FAQs
Q1: When did India and South Africa first play international cricket?
India and South Africa played their first-ever international match on November 10, 1991, in an ODI at Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium. South Africa won by 4 runs in their return to international cricket.
Q2: Which team has won more matches overall between India and SA?
India currently leads the overall head-to-head record with 76 wins compared to South Africa’s 65 wins across all formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is combined).
Q3: What is India’s best performance against South Africa in Tests?
India’s best Test performance was their historic 2-1 series victory in South Africa (2021-22), marking their first-ever Test series win on South African soil after multiple attempts.
Q4: Who are the top run-scorers in India vs SA cricket matches?
Top Indian scorers: Sachin Tendulkar (2,535 runs), Virat Kohli (2,123 runs), Rahul Dravid (1,890 runs)
Top SA scorers: Jacques Kallis (2,789 runs), AB de Villiers (2,104 runs), Hashim Amla (1,823 runs)
Q5: Which bowling figures stand out in this cricket rivalry?
Best bowling: Anil Kumble’s 6/53 (1996 Ahmedabad Test), Dale Steyn’s 7/51 (2008 Nagpur Test), and Jasprit Bumrah’s 5/42 (2021 Centurion Test) are among the standout performances.
Q6: How many times have these teams met in ICC tournaments?
India and South Africa have met 12 times in ICC tournaments across World Cups (ODI, T20) and Champions Trophy, with India winning 8 encounters and South Africa winning 4.
Q7: What is the recent head-to-head record between these cricket teams?
Since 2020, India leads with 11 wins compared to South Africa’s 6 wins across all formats, showing India’s current dominance in this rivalry.
Q8: Which venues have hosted the most India vs SA cricket matches?
In India: Eden Gardens Kolkata (8 matches), Wankhede Mumbai (7 matches)
In South Africa: Wanderers Johannesburg (9 matches), Newlands Cape Town (8 matches)
Final Note
The South Africa vs India cricket timeline continues evolving as both teams develop new talent. With upcoming series in 2025, this historic rivalry promises more thrilling encounters for cricket fans across the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
Statistics updated as of December 2025 | Source: ICC Official Records, Cricket South Africa, BCCI
