The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats reflect one of the most competitive rivalries in international cricket. Since South Africa’s return to world cricket in the early 1990s, both teams have produced unforgettable matches filled with aggression, emotion, and world-class performances. From intense Test battles on fast South African pitches to dramatic World Cup clashes and explosive T20 contests, this rivalry has consistently delivered thrilling moments for fans. Legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Jacques Kallis shaped this contest with iconic performances, record-breaking innings, and unforgettable pressure moments across every format.
Head-to-Head Stats (All Formats)
Format
Total Played
India Won
South Africa Won
No Result or Draw
Test Matches
44
16
18
10
ODIs
94
40
51
3
T20Is
36
21
14
1
Total
174
77
83
14
Recent Matches Table
Date
Format
Venue
Winner
Margin or Summary
22 Feb 2026
T20I World Cup
Ahmedabad
South Africa
SA 187 for 7 beat IND 111 by 76 runs
04 Feb 2026
T20I Warm-up
Navi Mumbai
India
IND 240 for 6 beat SA 210 for 7 by 30 runs
19 Dec 2025
T20I Bilateral
Ahmedabad
India
IND 231 for 5 beat SA 201 for 8 by 30 runs
17 Dec 2025
T20I Bilateral
Lucknow
None
Match abandoned due to heavy fog
14 Dec 2025
T20I Bilateral
Dharamsala
India
IND 120 for 3 beat SA 117 by 7 wickets
11 Dec 2025
T20I Bilateral
New Chandigarh
South Africa
SA 213 for 4 beat IND 162 by 51 runs
09 Dec 2025
T20I Bilateral
Cuttack
India
IND 175 for 6 beat SA 74 by 101 runs
06 Dec 2025
ODI Bilateral
Visakhapatnam
India
IND 271 for 1 beat SA 270 by 9 wickets
03 Dec 2025
ODI Bilateral
Raipur
South Africa
SA 362 for 6 beat IND 358 for 5 by 4 wickets
30 Nov 2025
ODI Bilateral
Ranchi
India
IND 349 for 8 beat SA 332 by 17 runs
22 Nov 2025
Test Bilateral
Guwahati
South Africa
SA won by 408 runs
14 Nov 2025
Test Bilateral
Kolkata
South Africa
SA won by 30 runs
Top All-Time Performances
Performance Category
Record Holder
Team
Format
Stat and Record Details
Most Career Runs
Sachin Tendulkar
India
ODI and Test
2001 ODI Runs and 1741 Test Runs
Most Career Wickets
Anil Kumble
India
Test and ODI
84 Test Wickets and 46 ODI Wickets
Highest Individual Score
Virender Sehwag
India
Test
319 Runs in Chennai 2008
Highest Individual Score
Hashim Amla
South Africa
Test
253 Not Out in Nagpur 2010
Best Test Bowling Innings
Lance Klusener
South Africa
Test
8 wickets for 64 runs in Kolkata 1996
Best Test Bowling Match
Ravichandran Ashwin
India
Test
12 wickets for 98 runs in Nagpur 2015
Most ODI Career Runs
Virat Kohli
India
ODI
1500 plus Runs with 72 point 24 average
Most ODI Career Wickets
Shaun Pollock
South Africa
ODI
48 Wickets in 33 Matches
Best ODI Bowling Figures
Sunil Joshi
India
ODI
5 wickets for 6 runs in Nairobi 1999
Most T20I Series Runs
Tilak Varma
India
T20I
280 Runs in 4 Matches during 2024 Series
Most T20I Career Wickets
Arshdeep Singh
India
T20I
18 Wickets in 10 Matches
Best T20I Bowling Figures
Kuldeep Yadav
India
T20I
5 wickets for 17 runs in Johannesburg
Highest T20I Partnership
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma
India
T20I
210 Run Partnership for the second wicket
Record Margins (Biggest Wins and Closest Matches)
Margin Category
Format
Winner
Margin Details
Match Venue and Year
Biggest Win by Runs
Test
South Africa
408 Runs
Guwahati, 2025
Biggest Win by Runs
Test
India
337 Runs
Delhi, 2015
Biggest Win by Runs
ODI
India
243 Runs
Kolkata, 2023
Biggest Win by Runs
ODI
South Africa
214 Runs
Mumbai, 2015
Biggest Win by Runs
T20I
India
135 Runs
Johannesburg, 2024
Biggest Win by Runs
T20I
South Africa
76 Runs
Ahmedabad, 2026
Biggest Win by Wickets
Test
South Africa
10 Wickets
Centurion 2010, Durban 2013
Biggest Win by Wickets
ODI
South Africa
10 Wickets
Sharjah 2000, Kolkata 2005
Biggest Win by Wickets
ODI
India
9 Wickets
Centurion 2018, Visakhapatnam 2025
Closest Match by Runs
T20I
India
1 Run
Colombo, 2012
Closest Match by Runs
T20I
India
7 Runs
Bridgetown, 2024 (World Cup Final)
Closest Match by Runs
ODI
India
1 Run
Jaipur 2010, Johannesburg 2011
Closest Match by Runs
ODI
South Africa
2 Runs
Eden Gardens, 1993
Closest Match by Runs
Test
South Africa
5 Runs
Sydney, 1994
Closest Match by Wickets
ODI
India
1 Wicket
Gwalior, 1996
Closest Match by Wickets
ODI
South Africa
2 Wickets
Port Elizabeth, 2000
The First Sparks Between India and South Africa
The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats show how this rivalry began with pace, aggression, and fearless cricket. South Africa returned to international cricket in the early 1990s and immediately challenged India with strong fast bowling and disciplined batting. Indian batters struggled on bouncy pitches, while South African bowlers dominated with speed and movement. Over time, players like Sachin Tendulkar and Allan Donald created unforgettable contests. Fans loved the intensity because every match felt competitive until the final session. These early years built the base of a rivalry that later became one of cricket’s toughest international battles across Tests, ODIs, and ICC tournaments.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
1991
SA 208/2
South Africa
Donald pace attack
Historic rivalry start
1992
SA 292/5
South Africa
Wessels century
SA dominated ODI
1993
IND 286/3
India
Sachin fifty
India comeback
1996
SA won series
South Africa
Cronje captaincy
Rivalry intensified
When Fast Bowlers Took Control of the Rivalry
The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats during the late 1990s and early 2000s highlighted the dominance of fast bowlers. South Africa’s attack led by Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini constantly troubled Indian batters with bounce and seam movement. India responded through bowlers like Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, who delivered aggressive spells in pressure matches. Many games were decided by bowling brilliance rather than batting dominance. Fans witnessed dramatic collapses, hostile spells, and emotional victories. These contests gave the rivalry a tougher identity, especially in overseas conditions where every run carried massive value for both sides.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
1997
SA 235 & 259
South Africa
Pollock 6/35
India collapse
2000
IND 248/7
India
Srinath 5/23
India fought back
2001
SA innings win
South Africa
Ntini six wickets
Fast bowling dominance
2002
IND 261/8
India
Zaheer 4/42
Close ODI finish
Sachin Tendulkar vs South African Pace Fear
The rivalry reached another level whenever Sachin Tendulkar faced South Africa’s fearsome bowling attack. The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats include some of Sachin’s finest innings under pressure. His centuries in difficult South African conditions proved his greatness against world-class pace bowling. Bowlers attacked him with aggressive field settings, short balls, and constant sledging, but Sachin answered with timing and patience. Fans across both nations admired these battles because they represented skill against raw pace. Every Tendulkar knock carried emotional value for India, especially when wickets kept falling around him. His performances became a major reason India stayed competitive in crucial Test and ODI encounters.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
1997
Sachin 169
Draw
Brilliant century
Cape Town classic
2001
Sachin 155
Draw
Match-saving innings
Pressure knock
2010
Sachin 200*
India
Historic double century
ODI world record
2011
Sachin 111
South Africa
World Cup hundred
SA chased successfully
Ganguly, Kallis and the Era of Heated Competition
The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats during the 2000s reflected an era filled with leadership battles and emotional contests. Sourav Ganguly transformed India into a fearless overseas side, while Jacques Kallis remained South Africa’s most dependable performer. The rivalry became more intense because both teams started winning away matches. ICC tournaments increased the pressure, especially during knockout games where one mistake changed everything. Ganguly’s aggression inspired Indian fans, while South Africa relied on discipline and tactical execution. Close matches, tense partnerships, and emotional celebrations turned this period into one of the rivalry’s most memorable phases in modern cricket history.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
2000
IND 295/6
India
Ganguly 141
ICC dominance
2003
IND 270/4
India
Tendulkar fifty
WC victory
2004
SA 450/5
South Africa
Kallis century
Test control
2005
IND 233/7
India
Dravid 93
Tight finish
Dhoni’s Calm Leadership Against South African Firepower
Under MS Dhoni, India developed a balanced approach against South Africa’s explosive batting lineup. The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats from this era feature thrilling ODI and T20 contests. Players like AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn brought aggression and skill, while Dhoni relied on calm decision-making and tactical field placements. India improved their finishing ability during run chases, especially in pressure games. South Africa, however, remained dangerous because of their fearless middle order. Fans enjoyed the unpredictable nature of these contests because momentum shifted rapidly between both teams during every format.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
2007
IND 153/5
India
Rohit cameo
T20 WC thriller
2010
IND 401/3
India
Sachin 200*
Historic ODI
2011
SA chased 297
South Africa
Kallis all-round show
WC upset
2013
SA 358/4
South Africa
AB century
ODI domination
Virat Kohli and the Rise of Modern-Day Intensity
The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats during the Virat Kohli era show unmatched intensity and fitness-driven cricket. Virat Kohli brought aggression and belief to India’s overseas performances, while South Africa answered through stars like Kagiso Rabada and Faf du Plessis. Test matches became emotional battles with sledging, fiery celebrations, and tactical captaincy. India improved their pace attack significantly, making overseas wins possible. Kohli’s centuries under pressure inspired India in difficult conditions, but South Africa continued producing fighting performances at home. This phase transformed the rivalry into a modern contest built equally on aggression, discipline, and mental strength.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
2018
Kohli 153
South Africa
Fighting century
Cape Town battle
2018
IND won Test
India
Bumrah spell
Johannesburg win
2019
IND 601/5d
India
Rohit 212
Massive victory
2022
SA chased 212
South Africa
Elgar leadership
Series-winning chase
T20 Battles, IPL Friendships and New-Age Rivalries
Modern India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats reveal how T20 cricket changed the rivalry completely. IPL cricket created friendships between players, but international matches still carried fierce pressure. Stars like Suryakumar Yadav, David Miller, and Quinton de Kock became central figures in thrilling T20 clashes. Matches featured explosive batting, tactical death bowling, and dramatic finishes. Social media debates also increased fan involvement during bilateral series and ICC events. The rivalry now mixes mutual respect with high competition, making every India vs South Africa encounter exciting for modern cricket audiences around the world.
Season
Score
Winning Team
Performance
Key Moment
2022
SA chased 212
South Africa
Miller 106*
Stunning chase
2022
IND 133 all out
South Africa
Ngidi spell
T20 WC upset
2023
IND won ODI series
India
KL Rahul captaincy
Young team success
2024
IND 176/7
India
Kohli 76
T20 World Cup win
Conclusion
The India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats showcase a rivalry built on respect, intensity, and fearless cricket. Over the decades, both teams have challenged each other with strong batting lineups, aggressive pace attacks, and tactical brilliance in crucial matches. Whether it was Sachin Tendulkar surviving hostile bowling spells, MS Dhoni finishing pressure chases, or Virat Kohli leading India with aggression overseas, every era added a new chapter to this rivalry. South Africa also produced unforgettable performances through players like AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, and Kagiso Rabada. With passionate fans and closely fought contests, India vs South Africa remains one of cricket’s most exciting and balanced international rivalries.
Rahul is a cricket enthusiast and writer who loves breaking down team journeys, player milestones, and key cricket moments into simple timelines. At National Cricket Team Timelines, he focuses on clear, accurate, and engaging cricket stories for fans who enjoy the game beyond just scores.