South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline Test Series, ODI & ICC World Cup

The cricket rivalry between South Africa and England shows how dominant both teams have been in all formats of the game. The timeline of the South Africa National Cricket Team vs the England Cricket Team goes back to South Africa’s 1st Test match against England in 1889 in Port Elizabeth. The rivalry has exciting T20’s, gripping One Day Internationals, and Test Matches full of drama, and reflected the high and low points over the span of history.

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There have been rivalries like this to be fought over one hundred and thirty years ago, beginning with their first Test matches and albeit they have played the more recent modern matches in ICC Champions Trophy. These two teams have had some of the best ever players to have played nationally, like AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis for South Africa, and for England James Anderson, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler that are and will be the cricketers of our time. The timeline shows a snippet of the sad and happy games played between the two countries, where England dominated through the early games and South Africa asserted themselves with the last part of the twentieth century.

Initial Encounters of South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team: in 1889-1910

South Africa and England played the initial Test match at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. It was South Africa’s first Test match, and they lost to a more experienced England team by 8 wickets. England had the early advantage, however, South Africa’s turning point occurred during the 1905-06 Test series when South Africa, for the very first time, defeated England 4-1 in the series. This was a monumental event for South Africa.

South Africa’s resistance against England was increasing as the two teams became accustomed to playing each other in Test matches. England managed to win one game and two were tied in the 1907 series, while South Africa won the 1909–10 series 3-2. Players like Albert Vogler and Colin showed extreme bowling attacks.

South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team-1910–1930: Test Series Summaries-

South Africa vs England Cricket Team 1912 Triangular Series

England defeated all three of the subsequent matches in the 1912 Triangular Series, which consisted of matches between Australia, England, and South Africa. South Africa opened their series against Australia, and rain throughout the tournament affected the matches – but England’s experience with wet conditions aided them in 1912.

South Africa vs England Cricket Team 1913–14 Test Series

England visited South Africa for their last 1913–14 South Africa vs. England Test series prior to World War I (which ended the spring in the UK and Europe in 1918). England went 4-0 with one game tied and John Douglas (the captain of the England team), scored runs, earned wickets and dominated the series.

South Africa vs England 1922-23 Test Series

In the 1922-23 South Africa vs England Test series, there were five matches played between England and South Africa. England were the winners of the series with 2 matches won to 1 match for South Africa, with two matches drawn. Under Herbert Taylor’s leadership, South Africa won the first Test by 168 runs after he smashed 176 runs in the second innings. Despite a difficult chase in the second Test, England managed to win by a wicket, thanks to George Macaulay’s bowling attack. The next two matches were drawn, but in the 5th match, the Three Lions won by 109 runs.

England vs South Africa: 1924 Test Series

England won 3-0, with two matches drawn in the 1924 England vs South Africa series. Jack Hobbs smashed a magnificent 211 in the second test, whereas Maurice Tate took 9 wickets for 86 runs in the third match of the series.

South Africa vs. England: 1927–28 Test Series

Later, in the 1927–28 South Africa vs. England Test series, a contentious five-match Test series was played, with South Africa winning the last two matches and England winning the first two. There was a draw in the third game. The series received praise for being memorable and well-balanced.

South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline in 1930s to Mid 20th Century

South Africa won 1-0 in the 1930-31 South Africa vs England Test series. In the first match against England, South Africa won by 28 runs. The remaining 4 matches ended in a draw. Wally Hammond and Bruce Mitchell displayed exceptional batting prowess, whereas Bill Voce and Buster Nupen produced stunning bowling figures.

After a fierce match in the 1930-31 season, South Africa again took the trophy home in the 1935 England vs South Africa Test series by 1-0, showcasing their growing competence. It was their first victory in Tests in England. The Proteas won the second match in the series by 157 runs, and 4 matches were declared drawn. Bruce Mitchell again anchored the South African innings, he smashed 164 runs in the second innings against England at Lord’s.

The 1938-39 South Africa vs England series earned the name ‘The Timeless Test’, as it was the longest Test cricket match ever lasting for 9 days with 680 overs bowled. In the third match of the series, England won by an innings and 13 runs; the remaining four matches ended in a draw.

South Africa returned to English soil after the Second World War with the 1947 England vs South Africa Test series. The first and last matches finished in a draw, but England won three of the five games. In the third Test in the series, Bill Edrich scored 191 runs in the first innings against South Africa, highlighting his brilliance.

England won the 1948-49 South Africa vs England Test series 2-0, during the first and final match of the series. Other matches ended in a draw. In the first match of the series, England won by 2 wickets, and in the final match by 3 wickets. England’s successful team tactics and outstanding individual performances were key components of their series victory.

1950s to 1970

In the 1951 England vs South Africa Test series, South Africa won the first match by 71 runs. However, England lifted the trophy for the series, winning 3-1 in the five-match series, with one match ending in a draw. South Africa found it difficult to form partnerships as England’s bowlers dominated.

The 1955 England vs South Africa Test series was quite an interesting series as, after a long time, South Africa gave tough competition to England and South Africa won the 3rd and 4th Test, while England won the remaining 3 games. Roy McLean, Jackie McGlew, John Waite, Paul Winslow, Russell Endean, Peter May, Hugh Tayfield, and Trevor Goddard were key performers of South Africa. On the other hand, Denis Compton, Peter May, John Wardle, Brian Statham, and John Wardle were top players from England’s side.

In the 1960 England vs South Africa Test series, England ruled again through its consistent batting and strategic bowling techniques. With Peter Richardson as its opener, they anchored many innings and laid the foundation for their success. South Africa struggled with its consistency against the seasoned players of England.

In the second match of the 1965 England vs South Africa Test series, South Africa won by 94 runs, and England was all out at 224 runs.

South Africa vs England National Cricket Team in 1990s to 2010: South Africa’s Dominance

South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team vs Benson & Hedges World Cup in 1991-1992 ODI

After South Africa’s readmission to international cricket, they played their first ODI match against England in Melbourne at the 1991-1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup. England won by 3 wickets using the D/L method. Alec Stewart led the run chase with 77 runs, closely followed by Neil Fairbrother’s unbeaten 75. In the second semi-final of the World Cup, England again won by 19 runs using the D/L method.

England vs South Africa Test series in 1994

The 1994 England vs South Africa Test series was South Africa’s first Test series in England since being allowed to play cricket again. South Africa won the 1st match by 356 runs, and England was all out in the first innings at 180 runs.

South Africa vs England ODI match in 1995-96

The 1995-96 South Africa vs England match marked the first victory of South Africa in an ODI match against England, as they won by 6 runs. Shaun Pollock was awarded Player of the Match for taking 4 crucial wickets and hitting 66* in the first innings.

South Africa vs England Test and ODI series in 1999-2000

The 1999-2000 Test and ODI series between South Africa and England showcased South Africa’s growing dominance over England. The Proteas won the ODI series 3-1 and the test series 2-1.

SA vs. ENG: ICC World Twenty20 in 2007-2008 at Newlands

In the 2007-2008 ICC World Twenty20 at Newlands, South Africa played its first T20 International against England. South Africa won the match by 19 runs. Albie Morkel played a match-winning knock against England, scoring 43 off 20 balls, leading his team to victory. Morkel also took crucial wickets, dismissing Matt Prior and Owais Shah.

SA vs. ENG at Centurion in 2009–10

In a high-scoring thriller, South Africa levelled the series with a decisive 84-run victory in the second match of the 2009–10 South Africa vs England series, which was played at Centurion on November 15, 2009. The partnership of Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman led their team to victory by scoring 182 runs together, setting a world record for opening stands in T20 internationals at the time.

2010 to Recent Encounters of South Africa vs England

South Africa vs England National Cricket Team in ICC World Cup, Chennai

In the 2010-11 ICC World Cup held in Chennai, England posted a total of 171 runs, but South Africa was bowled out at 165 runs in their chase, leading England to win by 6 runs. Stuart Broad’s four wickets were crucial for England’s triumph.

In 2015-16 T20I: South Africa vs England

With Imran Tahir’s bowling, South Africa clinched its T20I victories 2-1 in the 2015-16 South Africa vs England series. He was also awarded the Player of the Match in the 1st Match held at Newlands for dismissing crucial English players. Joe Root’s run chase of 83 in the second game levelled the series, and with AB de Villiers scoring 71, Hashim Amla’s 69*, and Faf du Plessis’s 22* South Africa clinched the series from the hands of England.

South Africa vs England in 2019 ICC World Cup at Kennington Oval

England and South Africa played the inaugural match of the 2019 ICC World Cup at Kennington Oval. England posed a target of 311/8 for South Africa, but the Proteas could amass only 207 runs in their chase. Ben Stokes scored 89 runs and claimed two wickets for 12 runs in an all-around performance for England. Jofra Archer, who claimed three wickets for 27 runs, was an important bowler too.

South Africa vs England In 2022

England and South Africa played the 2022 England vs South Africa on English soil, again proving their dominance on their home ground. While South Africa clinched victory in the first game, England won the remaining two. For an innings of 165, posed by the Three Lions, South Africa replied with 326. The Proteas managed to dismiss the English players early for 149 runs in the second innings, thus winning the match. The second game saw a changed English team as Ben Stokes scored 103 and Ben Foakes struck an unbeaten 113 to claim the game.

South Africa Vs England 2025 ICC Champions Trophy In National Stadium

South Africa once again defeated England by 7 wickets at the National Stadium in Karachi in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. England was dismissed for a mere 179 runs in 38.2 overs after opting to bat first. South Africa reached 180/3 in 31.4 overs, easily chasing down the mark. With an undefeated 72 runs, Rassie van der Dussen led the Proteas to victory. South Africa qualified for the Champions Trophy semifinals with this win. Following the team’s third straight group stage defeat, England captain Jos Buttler announced his retirement, making this his final appearance.

The face-off between the South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket from 1899 to 2025 was marked with intense competition, amazing performances, and pivotal moments. Whether it’s the intensity of Test matches, the pressure of ODIs, or the wild excitement of T20s, these matches have frequently depended on both teams’ strategy and individual skills of the players. The stakes are always high, and this rivalry appears destined to produce more unforgettable moments in cricket that will never be forgotten.