The rivalry between South Africa and England in cricket is one of the most storied and intense rivalries in the history of the game.
Whether it’s the traditional Test series, high-scoring One Day Internationals (ODIs), or the fast-paced Twenty20 (T20) contests, encounters between these two cricketing giants have always delivered high drama, memorable moments, and remarkable performances.
From their first Test match in the early 1900s to their more recent battles in ICC tournaments, the contests between South Africa and England have always been closely watched by fans around the world.
In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into the history of South Africa vs England cricket rivalry, exploring their Test, ODI, and T20I encounters.
Whether it’s a gritty Test series or a thrilling limited-overs encounter, matches between these two teams have consistently provided cricket fans with some of the most exciting moments in the sport.
A Brief History of South Africa vs England Rivalry
The rivalry between South Africa and England began in the early 1900s, when the two teams first clashed in Test cricket. Over the decades, the rivalry has grown in intensity, with both teams boasting some of the best cricketers to have ever played the game.
South Africa, with its aggressive and skillful approach, has often been a challenge for England, while England’s consistency and deep cricketing history have made them a tough opponent for the Proteas.
The rivalry has produced numerous iconic moments, such as memorable Test series, unforgettable ODIs, and electrifying T20I matches.
Notably, South Africa’s apartheid-era exclusion from international cricket (from 1970 until 1991) meant that the teams went through long periods without meeting.
However, since South Africa’s return to international cricket in 1991, the rivalry has resumed in full force, with both teams producing competitive and thrilling contests across all formats.
Here is the requested table based on the series results you provided for England vs South Africa in Test, ODI, and T20I formats:
| Statistic | Test (1888-2023) | ODI (1973-2023) | T20I (2005-2023) |
| Span | 1888-2023 | 1973-2023 | 2005-2023 |
| Matches Played | 59 | 113 | 27 |
| Wins (England) | 32 | 56 | 13 |
| Wins (South Africa) | 12 | 41 | 8 |
| Losses (England) | 12 | 47 | 10 |
| Losses (South Africa) | 15 | 25 | 6 |
| Draws | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No Result | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Win/Loss Ratio (England) | 2.67 | 1.19 | 1.30 |
| Win/Loss Ratio (South Africa) | 0.80 | 1.64 | 2.17 |
| Win Percentage (England) | 54.24% | 49.56% | 48.15% |
| Win Percentage (South Africa) | 20.34% | 36.28% | 29.63% |
| Loss Percentage (England) | 20.34% | 41.59% | 37.04% |
| Loss Percentage (South Africa) | 25.42% | 22.12% | 22.22% |
| Draw Percentage | 3.39% | 0% | 0% |
Timeline of South Africa vs England Matches
1. South Africa vs England Test Matches Timeline
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Test cricket between South Africa and England has witnessed a number of epic encounters, with both teams taking turns to dominate.
Some series have been marked by extraordinary individual performances, while others have been defined by nail-biting finishes.
Here’s a timeline of key Test series between South Africa and England:
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1888/89 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| England in South Africa Test Match 1891/92 | England | 1-0 (1) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1895/96 | England | 3-0 (3) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1898/99 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1905/06 | South Africa | 4-1 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1907 | England | 1-0 (3) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1909/10 | South Africa | 3-2 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1912 | England | 3-0 (3) |
| Triangular Tournament (Australia, England, South Africa) 1912 | England | – |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1913/14 | England | 4-0 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1922/23 | England | 2-1 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1924 | England | 3-0 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1927/28 | Drawn | 2-2 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1929 | England | 2-0 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1930/31 | South Africa | 1-0 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1935 | South Africa | 1-0 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1938/39 | England | 1-0 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1947 | England | 3-0 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1948/49 | England | 2-0 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1951 | England | 3-1 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1955 | England | 3-2 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1956/57 | Drawn | 2-2 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1960 | England | 3-0 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1964/65 | England | 1-0 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1965 | South Africa | 1-0 (3) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1994 | Drawn | 1-1 (3) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1995/96 | South Africa | 1-0 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 1998 | England | 2-1 (5) |
| England in South Africa Test Series 1999/00 | South Africa | 2-1 (5) |
| South Africa in England Test Series 2003 | Drawn | 2-2 (5) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (England in South Africa) 2004/05 | England | 2-1 (5) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (South Africa in England) 2008 | South Africa | 2-1 (4) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (England in South Africa) 2009/10 | Drawn | 1-1 (4) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (South Africa in England) 2012 | South Africa | 2-0 (3) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (England in South Africa) 2015/16 | England | 2-1 (4) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (South Africa in England) 2017 | England | 3-1 (4) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (England in South Africa) 2019/20 | England | 3-1 (4) |
| Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (South Africa in England) 2022 | England | 2-1 (3) |
2. South Africa vs England ODI Matches Timeline
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ODIs between South Africa and England have often been high-scoring, with both teams fielding powerful batting line-ups and aggressive bowlers.
Many of their encounters have come in World Cups, with dramatic results that have left a lasting impact on the history of the tournament.
Here’s a timeline of key ODI series and encounters:
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| England vs South Africa Oct 21, 2023 | South Africa | 229 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 1, 2023 | England | 59 runs |
| South Africa vs England Jan 29, 2023 | South Africa | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Jan 27, 2023 | South Africa | 27 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jul 24, 2022 | No Result | – |
| England vs South Africa Jul 22, 2022 | England | 118 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jul 19, 2022 | South Africa | 62 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 9, 2020 | England | 2 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 7, 2020 | No Result | – |
| South Africa vs England Feb 4, 2020 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa May 30, 2019 | England | 104 runs |
| England vs South Africa May 29, 2017 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa May 27, 2017 | England | 2 runs |
| England vs South Africa May 24, 2017 | England | 72 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 14, 2016 | South Africa | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 12, 2016 | South Africa | 1 wicket |
| South Africa vs England Feb 9, 2016 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 6, 2016 | England | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 3, 2016 | England | 39 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jun 19, 2013 | England | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Sep 5, 2012 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Sep 2, 2012 | England | 6 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Aug 31, 2012 | England | 4 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Aug 28, 2012 | South Africa | 80 runs |
| England vs South Africa Aug 24, 2012 | No Result | – |
| England vs South Africa Mar 6, 2011 | England | 6 runs |
| South Africa vs England Nov 29, 2009 | England | 7 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Nov 27, 2009 | South Africa | 112 runs |
| South Africa vs England Nov 22, 2009 | England | 7 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Sep 27, 2009 | England | 22 runs |
| England vs South Africa Sep 3, 2008 | No Result | – |
| England vs South Africa Aug 31, 2008 | England | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Aug 29, 2008 | England | 126 runs |
| England vs South Africa Aug 26, 2008 | England | 10 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Aug 22, 2008 | England | 20 runs |
| England vs South Africa Apr 17, 2007 | South Africa | 9 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 13, 2005 | South Africa | 3 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 11, 2005 | No Result | – |
| South Africa vs England Feb 9, 2005 | South Africa | 7 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 6, 2005 | South Africa | 108 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 4, 2005 | South Africa | 3 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 2, 2005 | Tied | – |
| South Africa vs England Jan 30, 2005 | England | 26 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jul 12, 2003 | England | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Jul 8, 2003 | England | 4 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Jul 3, 2003 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Jun 28, 2003 | England | 6 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Oct 10, 2000 | South Africa | 8 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 13, 2000 | South Africa | 38 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 4, 2000 | South Africa | 2 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Jan 26, 2000 | South Africa | 1 run |
| South Africa vs England Jan 23, 2000 | England | 9 wickets |
| England vs South Africa May 22, 1999 | South Africa | 122 runs |
| England vs South Africa Oct 25, 1998 | South Africa | 6 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Aug 18, 1998 | South Africa | 14 runs |
| England vs South Africa May 24, 1998 | England | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa May 23, 1998 | South Africa | 32 runs |
| England vs South Africa May 21, 1998 | South Africa | 3 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Feb 25, 1996 | South Africa | 78 runs |
| South Africa vs England Jan 21, 1996 | South Africa | 64 runs |
| South Africa vs England Jan 19, 1996 | South Africa | 14 runs |
| South Africa vs England Jan 17, 1996 | South Africa | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Jan 14, 1996 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Jan 13, 1996 | South Africa | 3 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Jan 11, 1996 | England | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Jan 9, 1996 | South Africa | 6 runs |
| England vs South Africa Aug 27-28, 1994 | England | 4 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Aug 25, 1994 | England | 6 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Mar 22, 1992 | England | 19 runs |
| England vs South Africa Mar 12, 1992 | England | 3 wickets |
3. South Africa vs England T20I Matches Timeline
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The T20I format has added an exciting dimension to the South Africa-England rivalry. Both teams have produced thrilling, high-octane encounters, particularly in the shorter formats, where power-hitting and aggressive bowling are key features of the game.
Here’s a timeline of key T20I series and encounters:
| Series/Tournament + Season | Winner | Margin |
| England vs South Africa Jun 21, 2024 | South Africa | 7 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jul 31, 2022 | South Africa | 90 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jul 28, 2022 | South Africa | 58 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jul 27, 2022 | England | 41 runs |
| England vs South Africa Nov 6, 2021 | South Africa | 10 runs |
| South Africa vs England Dec 1, 2020 | England | 9 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Nov 29, 2020 | England | 4 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Nov 27, 2020 | England | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 16, 2020 | England | 5 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 14, 2020 | England | 2 runs |
| South Africa vs England Feb 12, 2020 | South Africa | 1 run |
| England vs South Africa Jun 25, 2017 | England | 19 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jun 23, 2017 | South Africa | 3 runs |
| England vs South Africa Jun 21, 2017 | England | 9 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Mar 18, 2016 | England | 2 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 21, 2016 | South Africa | 9 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Feb 19, 2016 | South Africa | 3 wickets |
| England vs South Africa Mar 29, 2014 | South Africa | 3 runs |
| England vs South Africa Sep 12, 2012 | England | 28 runs |
| England vs South Africa Sep 10, 2012 | No Result | – |
| England vs South Africa Sep 8, 2012 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| England vs South Africa May 8, 2010 | England | 39 runs |
| South Africa vs England Nov 15, 2009 | South Africa | 84 runs |
| South Africa vs England Nov 13, 2009 | England | 1 run |
| England vs South Africa Jun 11, 2009 | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| South Africa vs England Sep 16, 2007 | South Africa | 19 runs |
Key Moments in the South Africa vs England Rivalry
Iconic Test Moments
- 1960 Test Series: South Africa’s famous 2-1 victory over England in England was a landmark series that saw brilliant performances by Graeme Pollock and John Waite.
- 2008 Test Series: South Africa’s thrilling 2-1 win in England, with centuries from Hashim Amla and spectacular bowling by Dale Steyn, is remembered as one of their best overseas series victories.
Memorable ODI Moments
- 1992 Cricket World Cup: England’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the rain-affected semi-final, following the infamous “rain rule” controversy, remains a painful memory for English fans.
- 2019 Cricket World Cup: South Africa’s nail-biting win over England in a group stage match was one of the tournament’s most dramatic moments, as they held off England’s late charge.
Thrilling T20I Encounters
- 2009 ICC T20 World Cup: England’s victory over South Africa in the final was a turning point in the T20I format and marked England’s first ICC World title in cricket.
- 2020 T20I Series: England’s dominant 3-0 victory over South Africa in South Africa showed their growing strength in the T20 format.
Conclusion: The Future of the Rivalry
The rivalry between South Africa and England remains one of the most intense and exciting in world cricket.
With both teams continuing to produce world-class players, expect many more thrilling matches in the future, whether it’s a Test series, ODI contest, or T20I clash.
The drama, the passion, and the quality of cricket on display will undoubtedly keep fans on the edge of their seats for years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates, match reports, and statistics as this rivalry continues to unfold!
FAQ: South Africa vs England Cricket Rivalry
When did the South Africa vs England cricket rivalry begin?
The rivalry started in 1888 when South Africa and England first played Test cricket. It has grown in intensity over the years, spanning all formats of the game.
Which team has historically won more matches in this rivalry?
England has generally had the upper hand, with more wins in both Test matches and ODIs, but South Africa has also enjoyed key victories, especially in recent years.
How many Test matches have South Africa and England played against each other?
The two teams have played a total of 59 Test matches from 1888 to 2023.
What is the result of the most recent ODI series between South Africa and England?
In October 2023, South Africa defeated England by 229 runs in an ODI match.
Has South Africa ever won an ICC T20 World Cup against England?
No, South Africa has not won a T20 World Cup against England. England won the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final.
What is one of the most iconic moments in the South Africa-England rivalry?
The 1992 Cricket World Cup semi-final, where England lost to South Africa in a rain-affected match, remains one of the most memorable moments.
How has the rivalry evolved in recent years?
Since South Africa’s return to international cricket in 1991, the rivalry has remained fierce, with exciting matches in all formats. Recent series, like the 2022 Test series, continue to produce thrilling cricketing drama.
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