The India vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline reflects the growth of a competitive and respectful rivalry in international cricket.
Since their first meeting after South Africa’s return to world cricket, both teams have shared intense battles across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
This India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline highlights key matches, memorable performances, and turning points that have shaped one of the most balanced and fascinating rivalries in modern cricket.
India vs South Africa ODI Result Summary (1991–2025)
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | No Result |
| India | 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 |
| South Africa | 97 | 52 | 42 | 3 |
India vs South Africa T20I Result Summary (2006–2025)
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | No Result |
| India | 34 | 20 | 13 | 1 |
| South Africa | 34 | 13 | 20 | 1 |
India vs South Africa Test Result Summary (1992–2025)
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw |
| India | 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 |
| South Africa | 46 | 20 | 16 | 10 |
1991–1999: Early Matches in the India vs South Africa Timeline
| Year | Series / Event | Format | Winner Team |
| 1991 | South Africa Tour of India | ODI Series | India |
| 1992–93 | India Tour of South Africa | Test Series | South Africa |
| 1992–93 | India Tour of South Africa | ODI Series | South Africa |
| 1996–97 | India Tour of South Africa | Test Series | South Africa |
| 1996–97 | South Africa Tour of India | Test / ODI Series | India |
| 1999 | ICC Cricket World Cup (Group Match) | ODI | South Africa |
The India vs South Africa rivalry began in 1991 when South Africa toured India after returning to international cricket. This series was historic, as it marked South Africa’s first official international matches in years.
India won the ODI series, setting an early tone for competitive contests between the two teams.
In 1992–93, India toured South Africa for the first full Test and ODI series between the sides. Playing in fast and bouncy conditions proved challenging for the Indian team, and South Africa dominated both formats, establishing their strength at home.
The mid-1990s saw regular bilateral encounters. During the 1996–97 tour of South Africa, the hosts once again used home conditions effectively, winning key Test matches.
Later in the same period, South Africa toured India, where the Indian team responded strongly in familiar conditions.
The decade ended with a high-profile clash at the 1999 Cricket World Cup, where South Africa defeated India in a group-stage match.
By the end of the 1990s, the rivalry had grown into a balanced and competitive contest, laying a strong foundation for future battles.
Read More: India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team: A Complete Timeline
Key series & matches (2000–2009) — summary (easy to read)
| Year | Series / Event | Format | Winner |
| 2000 | South Africa Tour of India | Test | South Africa |
| 2000 | South Africa Tour of India | ODI | India |
| 2001 | India Tour of South Africa | Test | South Africa |
| 2003 | TVS Cup Tri-Series (India, South Africa, Bangladesh) | ODI | Shared |
| 2006–07 | India Tour of South Africa | Test Series | South Africa |
| 2006–07 | India Tour of South Africa | ODI Series | South Africa |
| 2006–07 | India Tour of South Africa | T20I | India |
South Africa in India — March 2000 (ODIs & Tests)
South Africa toured India in early March 2000. The tour included Tests and a 5-match ODI series; India won the ODI series 3–2 while South Africa took the Test series 2–0.
This tour showed both teams were evenly matched in white-ball cricket while South Africa’s pace attack remained potent in Tests.
India in South Africa — November 2001 (Test series)
India played a two-Test series in South Africa in November 2001. South Africa won the Test series 1–0, led by strong performances from Herschelle Gibbs and Shaun Pollock — the tour highlighted the challenge Indian batsmen faced against South African pace and bounce.
TVS Cup / Tri-series — April 2003 (Bangladesh tri-series)
India and South Africa met in the 2003 TVS Cup tri-series (India, Bangladesh, South Africa). India and South Africa reached the final, but the final was washed out twice and the trophy was shared — a reminder that ICC/tri-series encounters added extra high-stakes meetings to the rivalry.
India in South Africa — 2006–07 (Tests, ODIs, T20I)
India’s 2006–07 tour was a landmark: India recorded its first-ever Test win on South African soil (at the Wanderers), but South Africa recovered to win the Test series 2–1 and dominated the ODIs 4–0.
The tour also included India’s first-ever T20I (India won that lone T20). This decade-ending tour underlined how competitive the rivalry had become — India could win in South Africa, but consistency remained an issue.
2010–2019: Key Matches in the India vs South Africa Timeline
| Year | Series / Event | Format | Winner |
| 2010 | South Africa Tour of India | Test | Draw (1–1) |
| 2010 | South Africa Tour of India | ODI | India |
| 2010–11 | India Tour of South Africa | Test | Draw (1–1) |
| 2013 | India Tour of South Africa | Test | South Africa |
| 2013 | India Tour of South Africa | ODI | India |
| 2015 | ICC Champions Trophy | ODI | India |
| 2017 | ICC Champions Trophy | ODI | India |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | ODI | India |
| 2019 | India Tour of South Africa | T20I | India |
The 2010s saw India and South Africa face each other frequently across all formats — Tests, ODIs, T20Is and World Cups — producing some of the most compelling and competitive encounters in their rivalry.
1) Early 2010 — South Africa in India (Feb–Mar 2010)
The decade began with a memorable bilateral series in India. South Africa and India split the Test matches (1–1), and in the ODIs India managed a 2–1 series win. These early 2010 matches showed the balance between bat and ball and set an exciting tone for the decade.
2) India in South Africa (Dec 2010–Jan 2011)
India toured South Africa for a Test series that ended 1–1 with a draw. South Africa won the first Test convincingly, but India bounced back in the second Test to level the series.
3) Mid‑Decade Tours & ICC Events (2013–2017)
India’s tour of South Africa in December 2013 resulted in a drawn Test and a South African win in another, showing SA’s strong home performance. Going into ICC events — like the 2015 and 2017 ICC Champions Trophy — both sides squared up in high‑pressure tournament cricket, adding more memorable contests to the timeline.
4) ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (June 5, 2019)
One of the standout ODI matches of the decade was at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. India chased down South Africa’s total with a strong innings from Rohit Sharma, who scored an unbeaten century, helping India secure a six‑wicket victory.
5) Bilateral Series in Late 2010s
Throughout the late decade, multiple bilateral series continued to add to the rivalry — including T20Is and ODIs in India and South Africa, with both teams trading wins and competitive performances. India’s wins in limited‑overs and South Africa’s strong Test showings maintained the balance of competition in the decade.
Key India vs South Africa Matches (2020–Present)
| Year | Series / Event | Format | Winner |
| 2024 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final | T20I | India |
| 2025 | India vs South Africa T20I Series (India) | T20I | India (2–1) |
| 2025 | India vs South Africa T20I Series (Abandoned Match) | T20I | No Result |
| 2025 | India vs South Africa ODI Series (1st ODI) | ODI | India |
| 2025 | India vs South Africa ODI Series (2nd ODI) | ODI | South Africa |
1. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final — June 29, 2024
One of the biggest matches in this era was the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final in Barbados, where India defeated South Africa by 7 runs to win the T20 World Cup title. India scored 176/7 and South Africa managed 169/8, making it a memorable high‑stakes clash between the two sides.
2. Ongoing T20I Series — December 2025
In the 2025 T20I series in India, South Africa and India have been competitive:
South Africa won the 2nd T20I by 51 runs (214 target set; India all out for 162), leveling the series 1‑1.
In the 3rd T20I, India responded strongly, winning by 7 wickets to take a 2‑1 lead in the series.
One of the scheduled matches was abandoned due to heavy fog and poor visibility in Lucknow — a rare weather interruption in international cricket.
3. 2025 ODI Series (South Africa Tour of India)
The 2025 ODI series witnessed some thrilling battles:
In the 1st ODI, India won by 17 runs, with Virat Kohli scoring a century.
In the 2nd ODI, South Africa chased down India’s total to win by 4 wickets — showcasing the competitiveness of the bilateral series.
Final Words
From the early 1990s to today, the story of India vs South Africa is one of grit, talent, and unforgettable cricketing battles. Each match adds a new chapter, with iconic victories and dramatic finishes keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As both teams continue to evolve, this rivalry promises many more moments of magic and historic encounters for cricket lovers worldwide.
