South Africa vs India Cricket National Team Rivalry is one of the most fiercest cricket rivalries for a modern era. It’s not just a matter of winning and losing. It is a journey spanning decades, different generations, changing formats and memorable comebacks, emotional moments and unforgettable cricket chapters. The gap in time between these two cricketing behemoths portrays how each country has developed within the sport. From the early days following South Africa’s readmission into world cricket till today’s ultra-aggressive modern style of cricket, every era has added a new flavour to this rivalry.
South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
The Rivalry Begins – 1991
The formal cricket relationship with South Africa started in 1991. This was not your average series. This was history. South Africa had been excluded from international cricket because of apartheid. 1991 marked their emotional return. And India was the first country that South Africa played, with official sanction, post-readmission.
They played each other for the first time in November 1991, which was an ODI. So the India vs South Africa narrative started to morph into a world-class competitive war.
India vs South Africa Test Timeline: Major Milestones
1992-93: The First Ever Test Series
The first-ever series between the two sides was in 1992-93, when India then toured South Africa. It was a C-Day in SA cricket history.
South Africa took the series 1-0. This win was a pick-me-up for SA as they recovered well from pink-ball cricket.
1996: India Takes Control at Home
In 1996, South Africa toured India.
India defeated South Africa 2-1.
This was India’s first ever Test series win over South Africa.
2006: India Achieves First Test Win in South Africa
This is among the most pivotal moments in Test timeline.
India got their first win in a Test match on South African soil in December 2006. This was a proud milestone.
Modern EraHard Fights Between 2018: The Modern Era Hard Battles
2018: The Modern Era Hard Battles
Yes, South Africa won the Test series 2-1 but they were intense, tight and hostile encounters. And many consider this period as the transition to Indies overture into the new “professional rival” phase of Ind v SA.
2023-24: Balanced Red Ball Battle
The most recent Test series involving India and South Africa (2023-24) was drawn 1-1.
On both sides there were even performances, in terms of bowling depth and batting combination.
India vs South Africa Head to Head in Test
| Format | Tests |
| Matches Played | 44 |
| India Won | 16 |
| South Africa Won | 18 |
| Draw/Tie/No Result | 10 |
India vs South Africa ODI Timeline: Turning Points
1991 – First ODI meeting
India lost their first ODI against South Africa.
1999 World Cup (England)
An ODI World Cup match in which South Africa overhauled 253 against India. Kallis played a key role.
2000 ICC Knock-Out Trophy
India won this global ICC event by beating South Africa. Yuvraj Singh stood on the trap door and slammed an 84-caption restrict new (India).
2003 World Cup (South Africa)
Ind beat SA in the group match that paved the way for India into the final that year.
2015: India wins tough ODI series in South Africa
India clinched an ODI series in South Africa 3-2 over five matches. This series showed that India too could do well in overseas LOI conditions.
India vs South Africa Head to Head in ODI
| Format | ODIs |
| Matches Played | 94 |
| India Won | 40 |
| South Africa Won | 51 |
| Draw/Tie/No Result | 3 |
South Africa vs India T20I Timeline: The Shortest Format
2006 – First T20I meeting
South Africa played their first T20I match with India in 2006.
2007 ICC T20 World Cup
India beat South Africa in the Super 8s.) on their path to get hold of the first T20 World Cup.
2022 & 2023 Era
A couple of series – and Test Fire tables – between the two countries have already been drawn, indicating just how well they’re stacking up in T20 cricket.
2024 T20I World cup Final
In the 2024 T20 World Cup Final, India defeated South Africa and lifted the trophy. It was one of the most dramatic finals in T20 history and added a strong new chapter to this rivalry.
India vs South Africa Head to Head in T20
| Format | T20Is |
| Matches Played | 26 |
| India Won | 14 |
| South Africa Won | 11 |
| Draw/Tie/No Result | 1 |
2025 India vs South Africa Upcoming Fixtures
The next major tour chapter for this rivalry comes in November – December 2025. India will host the South Africa National Cricket Team for an all-format tour. Below is the updated fresh style fixture view.
2 Test Matches Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 14 Nov 2025 | 1st Test India vs South Africa | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 22 Nov 2025 | 2nd Test India vs South Africa | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati |
3 ODI Matches Series
| Date | Match |
| 30 Nov 2025 | 1st ODI – JSCA International Stadium |
| 3 Dec 2025 | 2nd ODI – SVNS International Stadium |
| 6 Dec 2025 | 3rd ODI – ACA-VDCA Stadium |
5 T20I Matches Series
| Date | Match |
| 9 Dec 2025 | 1st T20I – Barabati Stadium |
| 11 Dec 2025 | 2nd T20I – Mullanpur Stadium |
| 14 Dec 2025 | 3rd T20I – HPCA Stadium |
| 17 Dec 2025 | 4th T20I – Ekana Stadium |
| 19 Dec 2025 | 5th T20I – Narendra Modi Stadium |
India vs South Africa 2025 Test Squads
India Test Squad 2025
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel (AR), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), KL Rahul (WK), Kuldeep Yadav , Mohammed Siraj , Jasprit Bumrah , Akash Deep
South Africa Test Squad
Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Dewald Brevis, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs (WK), Kyle Verreynne (WK), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Keshav Maharaj , Kagiso Rabada , Simon Harmer
Where to Watch India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Live Match 2025
The India vs South Africa Live cricket match can also be viewed on the official broadcaster of that series. In India, matches are usually televised on Star Sports Network and live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar app. In South Africa, the tournament is broadcast on SuperSport. The streaming platform might change based on the series rights that belongs to ICC or BCCI, so verify before the series starts.
Iconic Player Performances in the Rivalry
Sachin Tendulkar
Many magical moments were spun by Sachin, thanks to his exploits versus South Africa. His 200 against Proteas in ODIs, also came in 2010 is a gilded page in this rivalry.
Jacques Kallis
The perfect all-rounder. He has won matches with his own hand against India and become the game changer with the ball too.
Virat Kohli
Many a time, Kohli has run rings around South African bowling. He is among top run scorers in India vs SA games in last decade.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers has ruined India’s bowling attacks on several occasions – remember his 149 off 44 balls!
Jasprit Bumrah & Dale Steyn
Two of today’s most venomous fast bowlers. Both have cast spells, literally world class ones at that, in India vs South Africa contests.
Future of the Rivalry
Now the next chapter of India vs South Africa rivalry will be written by a new generation:
- Shubman Gill
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Marco Jansen
- Dewald Brevis
With both nations continuing to prioritize fitness, aggressive batting methods, fearless pace attacks and data-based planning, this rivalry will surely get even more fiery over the next few years.
Conclusion
The record of South Africa national cricket team vs India national cricket team timeline has been full of emotion, drama, unpredictability and respect. Their rivalry has spanned over decades, offering classic Tests, dramatic World Cup knockouts, ODI nail-biters and T20 fireworks. New ones are introduced every decade since 1991 to date. And with the new 2025 tour fast approaching a fresh chapter is about to be opened.
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