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The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Stats highlight one of the most established rivalries in international cricket. South Africa and England have competed against each other across Test matches, One-Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals for decades. Their contests have produced memorable performances, close finishes, dominant victories, major tournament encounters, and several high-scoring matches. The rivalry remains particularly interesting because both teams have traditionally been competitive across all three international formats.
South Africa vs England Head-to-Head Record
South Africa and England have a long history in Test cricket. According to the available head-to-head record, the teams have played 156 Tests, with England winning 66, South Africa winning 35, and 55 ending in draws.
Their ODI record is considerably closer. The teams have played 74 ODIs, with South Africa winning 37 and England winning 31. Five matches ended without a result and one was tied.
T20 Internationals have also produced a highly competitive rivalry. South Africa have won 14 of the 28 completed/recorded meetings in the available head-to-head data, while England have won 13, with one match ending without a result.
| Format | Matches | South Africa Wins | England Wins | Draw/NR/Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 156 | 35 | 66 | 55 Draws |
| ODIs | 74 | 37 | 31 | 5 NR, 1 Tie |
| T20Is | 28 | 14 | 13 | 1 NR |
The numbers show that the rivalry has a different statistical character in each format. England have the stronger historical Test record, while South Africa have a narrow advantage in the overall ODI and T20I records listed above.
South Africa vs England Test Cricket Stats
Test cricket has historically been one of the most important parts of the South Africa-England rivalry. The two sides have played numerous series in both countries, with conditions often playing an important role.
England’s 66 Test victories give them a substantial advantage in the historical record. South Africa’s 35 wins and 55 draws, however, demonstrate that the Proteas have regularly been capable of resisting England over long five-day contests.
The most recent Test series between the teams was played in England in 2022. South Africa won the first Test at Lord’s by an innings and 12 runs after scoring 326 and dismissing England for 165 and 149. England then responded strongly in the second Test, winning by an innings and 85 runs. In the third Test at The Oval, England won by nine wickets.
| Test | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test, 2022 | August 2022 | South Africa won by an innings and 12 runs |
| 2nd Test, 2022 | August 2022 | England won by an innings and 85 runs |
| 3rd Test, 2022 | September 2022 | England won by 9 wickets |
| 4th Test, 2020 | January 2020 | England won by 191 runs |
| 3rd Test, 2020 | January 2020 | England won by an innings and 53 runs |
The 2022 series demonstrated how quickly momentum could change. South Africa dominated the opening Test, but England recovered to win the next two matches and take the series.
South Africa vs England ODI Stats
The ODI rivalry has generally been much more closely balanced. South Africa have 37 victories compared with England’s 31 in 74 matches, while five games produced no result and one ended in a tie.
The teams met three times during England’s 2025 home ODI series against South Africa. South Africa won the first two matches to secure the series before England produced a huge victory in the third ODI.
In the first match on September 2, 2025, South Africa chased down England’s 131 with 137/3 and won by seven wickets. Two days later, South Africa scored 330/8 and defeated England by five runs after England reached 325/9. England then responded in the final ODI, scoring 414/5 and dismissing South Africa for 72 to win by 342 runs.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2025 | 1st ODI | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| September 4, 2025 | 2nd ODI | South Africa won by 5 runs |
| September 7, 2025 | 3rd ODI | England won by 342 runs |
| March 1, 2025 | Champions Trophy | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| October 21, 2023 | World Cup | South Africa won by 229 runs |
The 2025 ODI series showed both sides of limited-overs cricket. South Africa secured the series through two close victories, while England’s final-match performance produced one of the largest winning margins in their ODI meetings.
South Africa vs England T20I Stats
The T20I record is among the closest aspects of the rivalry. South Africa have won 14 of the 28 recorded meetings, while England have won 13, with one match abandoned or ending without a result.
Their recent T20I series in September 2025 ended 1-1 after the third match was abandoned because of rain. South Africa won the opening game by 14 runs using the DLS method, while England produced a massive 146-run victory in the second match.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2025 | 1st T20I | South Africa won by 14 runs |
| September 12, 2025 | 2nd T20I | England won by 146 runs |
| September 14, 2025 | 3rd T20I | No result |
| June 21, 2024 | T20 World Cup Super Eight | South Africa won by 7 runs |
| July 31, 2022 | 3rd T20I | South Africa won by 90 runs |
| July 28, 2022 | 2nd T20I | South Africa won by 58 runs |
The 2024 T20 World Cup meeting was particularly close. South Africa scored 163/6, while England reached 156/6, giving South Africa a seven-run victory.
Major World Cup Meetings
South Africa and England have also produced important World Cup encounters. Their 2023 ODI World Cup match in Mumbai was dominated by South Africa. The Proteas posted 399/7 before England were dismissed for 170, resulting in a 229-run South African victory.
The result was particularly notable because South Africa’s batting lineup produced a huge total, while their bowling attack successfully prevented England from mounting a serious chase.
| Tournament | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 2023 | South Africa won by 229 runs |
| T20 World Cup | 2024 | South Africa won by 7 runs |
| Champions Trophy | 2025 | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
These matches demonstrate the variety within the rivalry. One game featured a huge ODI victory, another was decided by seven runs in a T20 World Cup contest, and the Champions Trophy encounter was settled through a successful South African chase.
Batting Comparison
Both teams have traditionally possessed strong batting lineups. England’s white-ball cricket has frequently emphasized aggressive stroke play and high scoring, while South Africa have also developed powerful batting units capable of producing large totals.
The 2025 ODI series illustrated this contrast. South Africa successfully chased 131 in the first match and defended 330 in the second. England then produced 414/5 in the third match before bowling South Africa out for 72.
| Batting Area | South Africa | England |
|---|---|---|
| Test batting | Strong | Strong |
| ODI batting | High-scoring potential | High-scoring potential |
| T20 batting | Aggressive | Aggressive |
| Chasing ability | Proven | Proven |
| Big ODI totals | Frequently achieved | Frequently achieved |
Recent individual performances have also demonstrated the depth of both batting units. In the second ODI of the 2025 series, South Africa reached 330/8, while England’s chase reached 325/9. Matthew Breetzke scored 85 for South Africa, contributing to a 147-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs.
Bowling Comparison
Bowling has played an equally important role in the rivalry. South Africa have traditionally been associated with high-quality fast bowling, while England have also produced experienced pace bowlers and effective spin options.
The difference can be seen in several recent matches. South Africa dismissed England for 131 in the opening ODI of the 2025 series, while England’s bowlers later dismissed South Africa for only 72 in the third match.
| Bowling Factor | South Africa | England |
|---|---|---|
| Fast bowling | Strong | Strong |
| New-ball bowling | Important strength | Important strength |
| Spin options | Competitive | Competitive |
| Death bowling | Important in limited overs | Important in limited overs |
| Test bowling depth | Strong | Strong |
Recent South Africa vs England Results
Recent meetings have shown that neither side can be characterized by one consistent style across every format. South Africa won the 2025 ODI series 2-1, while the T20I series later that month ended 1-1 after rain prevented the final match.
The Champions Trophy meeting in March 2025 also went South Africa’s way, with the Proteas chasing England’s 179 and reaching 181/3 to win by seven wickets.
| Year | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ODI | South Africa won series 2-1 |
| 2025 | T20I | Series drawn 1-1 |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | South Africa won by 7 runs |
| 2023 | ODI World Cup | South Africa won by 229 runs |
| 2022 | Test | England won series 2-1 |
Key Statistical Takeaways
The head-to-head numbers reveal three different stories. In Test cricket, England have a substantial historical advantage, with 66 wins to South Africa’s 35 across 156 matches. In ODIs, South Africa lead 37-31, making the format much more evenly balanced. In T20Is, South Africa have a narrow 14-13 advantage with one no-result in the available record.
Recent results have also added another layer to the rivalry. South Africa won the 2025 ODI series, while England responded with an enormous victory in the final ODI. The T20I series later that month ended without a winner after both teams recorded one victory and the final match was abandoned.
Overall, South Africa vs England remains a multi-format rivalry in which historical Test statistics, closely fought ODIs, and competitive T20 matches all contribute to the significance of the fixture.
South Africa vs England Stats Summary
| Category | South Africa | England |
|---|---|---|
| Test wins | 35 | 66 |
| ODI wins | 37 | 31 |
| T20I wins | 14 | 13 |
| Test draws | 55 | 55 |
| ODI ties | 1 | 1 |
| ODI no-results | 5 | 5 |
| T20I no-results | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 ODI series | Won 2-1 | Lost 1-2 |
| 2025 T20I series | Drawn 1-1 | Drawn 1-1 |
The statistics underline how different the rivalry becomes according to format. England’s long-term Test record stands out, while South Africa have a narrow advantage in the ODI and T20I records listed here. Recent limited-overs meetings have also produced several close contests, including five-run and seven-run victories, alongside some very large winning margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Tests have South Africa and England played against each other?
South Africa and England have played 156 Test matches in the available head-to-head record.
2. Who has won more Test matches between South Africa and England?
England have won 66 Tests compared with South Africa’s 35 victories in the available historical record.
3. Who has won more ODIs between South Africa and England?
South Africa have won 37 of the 74 recorded ODI meetings, while England have won 31.
4. Who has the better T20I head-to-head record between South Africa and England?
South Africa have a narrow advantage in the available T20I record, with 14 wins compared with England’s 13.
5. What happened in the South Africa vs England ODI series in 2025?
South Africa won the three-match ODI series 2-1. They won the first two matches before England won the third ODI.
6. What was the result of the 2025 third ODI between South Africa and England?
England won by 342 runs after scoring 414/5 and dismissing South Africa for 72.
7. When did South Africa last beat England in a major ICC limited-overs tournament?
South Africa defeated England by seven wickets in the 2025 Champions Trophy and also defeated them by seven runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
8. What was the result of the 2025 South Africa vs England T20I series?
The series ended 1-1. South Africa won the first match, England won the second by 146 runs, and the third match was abandoned because of rain.
9. What was the result of the 2023 World Cup match between South Africa and England?
South Africa won by 229 runs after scoring 399/7 and dismissing England for 170.
10. Why is the South Africa vs England cricket rivalry significant?
The rivalry is significant because the teams have a long Test history and a closely contested limited-overs record, with major encounters across bilateral series, World Cups, the Champions Trophy, and T20 internationals.
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