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The timeline of the South Africa cricket team vs Australia cricket team is one of the most historic rivalries in international cricket. The two sides first met in Test cricket in 1902 and since then their contests have grown into One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. There have been dominant Test series, dramatic World Cup clashes, extraordinary batting efforts, big championship matches and the rivalry goes back more than 100 years. Historically Australia have the better overall Test record having won 54 of the 101 Tests played against South Africa, who have won 26 with 21 ending in draws. In ODIs though the record is much closer with South Africa having a slight edge in the historical record. The sides also met in the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets to lift the trophy. They resume their rivalry in 2026 with a three-match ODI series in September and three Tests in October.
Beginning Of The South Africa Vs Australia Rivalry
The international rivalry began in 1902 when Australia played a Test series in South Africa. Australia won the first series 2-0, so they took the early lead in the matchup. Australia also won the next two Test series in South Africa, including a clean sweep 5–0 on the 1931–32 tour. These initial skirmishes paved the way for a rivalry that would eventually become one of the marquee matchups in world cricket.
Australia started playing South Africa more often in Test cricket. They had teams with great fast bowlers, technically good batters and world class all rounders. The rivalry was stoked when South Africa reentered international cricket in the early 1990s, after its years of sporting isolation.
| Year | Series or Event | Format | Major Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | Australia tour of South Africa | Tests | Australia won 2-0 |
| 1921-22 | Australia tour of South Africa | Tests | Australia won 1-0 |
| 1931-32 | Australia tour of South Africa | Tests | Australia won 5-0 |
| 1992 | World Cup | ODI | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 1999 | World Cup | ODI | Semi-final ended in a tie |
| 2006 | Johannesburg | ODI | South Africa chased 435 |
| 2025 | World Test Championship Final | Test | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
Test Cricket Timeline
Test cricket is still the oldest part of the South Africa-Australia rivalry. The teams have contested 101 Tests. Australia have won 54, South Africa 26. There have been 21 draws. So Australia has a significant historical edge in the longest format.
The Test timeline has several periods that stand out. Australia dominated early including several successful tours to South Africa. In the modern era, particularly the 2000s and 2010s, South Africa enjoyed major wins both home and abroad.
And then there was the South Africa Test series in 2018. South Africa won the third Test in Cape Town by 322 runs and the fourth Test by 492 runs. The latter is still one of the biggest winning margins in Test cricket.
| Test Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Tests | 101 |
| Australia wins | 54 |
| South Africa wins | 26 |
| Draws | 21 |
| Australia win percentage | About 53.5% |
| South Africa win percentage | About 25.7% |
The most recent completed Test meeting before the 2026 series was the 2025 World Test Championship Final. South Africa chased 282 to defeat Australia by five wickets at Lord’s. Aiden Markram scored 136, while Kagiso Rabada played an important role with the ball.
ODI Timeline And The 438 Match
The ODI rivalry has produced some unforgettable games in international cricket. South Africa and Australia have played over 110 ODIs since their first meeting in the format in 1992. South Africa 55 wins, Australia 52 with three ties and one no result is the reading in the record book.
The two met for the first time in the one-day format at the 1992 World Cup in Sydney and South Africa won by nine wickets. Since then, the teams have met many times in bilateral series and ICC tournaments.
In March 2006, a defining match arrived in Johannesburg. Australia scored 434 for 4, which was then the highest team total in ODI cricket. South Africa chased down the target to win one of the most remarkable matches in the game’s history, finishing on 438 for nine.
| ODI Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| ODI matches | 111 |
| South Africa wins | 55 |
| Australia wins | 52 |
| Ties | 3 |
| No results | 1 |
| First ODI | 1992 World Cup |
| Famous 2006 match | South Africa chased 435 |
Another historic ODI encounter came in the 1999 World Cup semi-final. South Africa and Australia finished level, but Australia progressed to the final because of the tournament’s tie-breaking rules. That match remains one of the most famous World Cup games between the teams.
World Cup And Major Tournament Timeline
South Africa and Australia have battled it out on several occasions in major international tournaments. Some of the rivalry’s most dramatic moments have been in World Cup meetings.
The 1999 World Cup semi-final that ended in a tie is especially famous. Australia advanced to the final after South Africa had a late-order collapse triggered by a dramatic mix-up between Lance Klusener and Allan Donald.
Another important match was the 2007 World Cup semi-final where Australia beat South Africa. Australia went on to win the tournament .
The two sides met again in the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup in Kolkata. Australia made it to the finals after a three-wicket victory over South Africa in a low-scoring match.
| Tournament | Stage | Major Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 World Cup | Group stage | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 1999 World Cup | Semi-final | Match tied, Australia advanced |
| 2007 World Cup | Semi-final | Australia won |
| 2015 World Cup | Semi-final | Australia won by 5 wickets |
| 2023 World Cup | Semi-final | Australia won by 3 wickets |
| 2025 WTC | Final | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
These tournament meetings demonstrate how frequently the two teams have encountered each other in high-pressure international cricket.
T20 International Timeline
The T20I rivalry started in 2006, when Australia beat South Africa by 95 runs in Brisbane. Since then the teams have played 28 T20Is. Australia have won 19 South Africa have won 9
T20 cricket has added a different spice to the rivalry. The shorter format emphasizes power-hitting, death bowling and quick scoring. Australia have a statistical edge in this format but South Africa have notched a few crucial wins.
The last completed T20I series was in August 2025 in Australia. Australia won the three match series 2-1. The Australians won the first match by 17 runs and South Africa struck back in the second by 53 runs. Australia won the third by two wickets.
| T20I Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 28 |
| Australia wins | 19 |
| South Africa wins | 9 |
| First T20I | 2006 |
| Most recent completed series | 2025 |
| 2025 series result | Australia won 2-1 |
Recent Timeline And 2026 Series
The 2025 World Test Championship Final was among the most memorable recent installments in the rivalry. South Africa win inaugural World Test Championship title – beat Australia by five wickets at Lord’s. SA, led by Aiden Markram’s century, chased down Australia’s first innings total of 212.
The rivalry resumes on the 2026-27 international season. South Africa will play three ODIs against Australia from September 24 to September 30 and three Tests from October 9 to October 31. The ODIs will be held in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom while the Tests will be played in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
| 2026 Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 24 September 2026 | Durban |
| 2nd ODI | 27 September 2026 | Johannesburg |
| 3rd ODI | 30 September 2026 | Potchefstroom |
| 1st Test | 9-13 October 2026 | Durban |
| 2nd Test | 18-22 October 2026 | Gqeberha |
| 3rd Test | 27-31 October 2026 | Cape Town |
The 2026 Test series is especially significant because Australia are returning to South Africa for Test cricket for the first time since 2018. The series will also form part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
Overall Head To Head Statistics
The South Africa national cricket team versus Australia cricket team timeline shows different patterns across the three major men’s formats. Australia have the strongest advantage in Tests and T20Is, while South Africa have a narrow ODI advantage.
| Format | Matches | South Africa Wins | Australia Wins | Draws | Ties | No Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 101 | 26 | 54 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 111 | 55 | 52 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| T20Is | 28 | 9 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 240 | 90 | 125 | 21 | 3 | 1 |
The figures underline the contrasting nature of the rivalry. Australia’s Test record is substantially stronger, while South Africa have a small lead in ODIs. T20Is have produced a clearer statistical advantage for Australia.
Conclusion
The timeline of the South Africa national cricket team vs Australia cricket team is a span of over 120 years and is home to some of the most memorable moments in international cricket. The rivalry has produced remarkable contests from the first Test meetings in 1902 to the dramatic 1999 World Cup tie, the 438-run ODI chase in 2006 and South Africa’s five-wicket victory in the 2025 World Test Championship Final. Australia lead the Test and T20I records, South Africa have a slight ODI edge. The rivalry will add another important chapter to its long history with three ODIs and three Tests between the teams in South Africa in September and October 2026.
FAQs
1. When did South Africa and Australia first play cricket against each other?
South Africa and Australia first met in Test cricket in 1902. Australia won that opening Test series in South Africa 2-0.
2. How many Tests have South Africa and Australia played?
The teams have played 101 Test matches. Australia have won 54, South Africa have won 26 and 21 Tests have ended in draws.
3. What is the most famous ODI match between South Africa and Australia?
The 2006 ODI in Johannesburg is among the most famous. Australia scored 434 for 4, but South Africa successfully chased the target and reached 438 for 9.
4. Who won the 2025 World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia?
South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. Aiden Markram scored 136 during South Africa’s successful chase.
5. When will South Africa and Australia next play each other?
Their next scheduled meetings are a three-match ODI series beginning on September 24, 2026, followed by a three-match Test series beginning on October 9, 2026. The matches are scheduled to take place in Durban, Johannesburg, Potchefstroom, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
