The rivalry between the New Zealand National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team has produced some of cricket’s most memorable matches. While South Africa has traditionally dominated the overall head-to-head record, New Zealand has often emerged victorious in crucial ICC knockout encounters, making this one of international cricket’s most fascinating rivalries.
From their first Test meeting in 1932 to modern-day clashes in ICC tournaments, both teams have delivered thrilling contests featuring legendary players, dramatic finishes, and historic performances.
New Zealand vs South Africa Head-to-Head Stats (All Formats)
The overall numbers show South Africa’s dominance across formats, but the story becomes more interesting when examining ICC events.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand Won | South Africa Won | Draw/No Result |
| Tests | 49 | 7 | 26 | 16 |
| ODIs | 74 | 27 | 42 | 5 |
| T20Is | 25 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 148 | 44 | 83 | 21 |
South Africa enjoys a significant advantage in overall victories, especially in Test cricket, where their pace attacks have historically troubled New Zealand batters.
New Zealand vs South Africa Test Stats
Before looking at the Test statistics, it’s important to understand that South Africa has historically been the stronger side in the longest format.
Test Head-to-Head Record
| Stat | New Zealand | South Africa |
| Matches Played | 49 | 49 |
| Wins | 7 | 26 |
| Draws | 16 | 16 |
| Win Percentage | 14.3% | 53.1% |
| Highest Team Score | 680/8d | 683/5d |
| Lowest Team Score | 45 | 95 |
Notable Test Series
| Year | Venue | Result |
| 1931-32 | New Zealand | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 1961-62 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-1 |
| 2003-04 | South Africa | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 2017 | New Zealand | Series Drawn 1-1 |
| 2024 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 |
New Zealand vs South Africa ODI Stats
ODI cricket has witnessed some of the most competitive encounters between these teams, especially during ICC World Cups and Champions Trophy tournaments.
ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Stat | New Zealand | South Africa |
| Matches Played | 74 | 74 |
| Wins | 27 | 42 |
| No Result | 5 | 5 |
| Highest Total | 299 | 357 |
| Lowest Total | 167 | 172 |
Last Five ODI Meetings
| Date | Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| Mar 2025 | Champions Trophy SF | New Zealand | 6 Runs |
| Nov 2023 | ODI World Cup | South Africa | 190 Runs |
| Oct 2023 | ODI World Cup Warm-Up | New Zealand | 7 Runs |
| Jun 2019 | ODI World Cup | New Zealand | 4 Wickets |
| Mar 2017 | Bilateral ODI | South Africa | 6 Wickets |
New Zealand vs South Africa T20I Stats
The shortest format has produced some extremely close contests between the Black Caps and Proteas.
T20I Head-to-Head Record
| Stat | New Zealand | South Africa |
| Matches | 25 | 25 |
| Wins | 10 | 15 |
| Win Percentage | 40% | 60% |
| Highest Team Score | 180 | 187 |
| Lowest Team Score | 91 | 93 |
Recent T20I Series Results (2026)
| Match | Winner |
| 1st T20I | South Africa |
| 2nd T20I | New Zealand |
| 3rd T20I | New Zealand |
| 4th T20I | South Africa |
| 5th T20I | South Africa |
South Africa won the series after recovering strongly in the final two matches.
New Zealand vs South Africa Timeline
1931-32: First-Ever Test Series
South Africa’s tour of New Zealand started the rivalry with a two-match Test series. The Proteas took advantage of both matches with early wickets
1961-62: New Zealand’s Historic Breakthrough
Since then, the two nations have continued to clash. In June, New Zealand completed a historic Test series win against South Africa.
1992 World Cup Clash
New Zealand had also beaten South Africa by seven wickets in Auckland when the two teams met at the ICC Cricket World Cup. It was the two sides’ first World Cup encounter.
2011 World Cup Quarter-Final
New Zealand cemented its ideal as a dangerous team in the knockout stage with a memorable unbeaten win over South Africa.
2015 World Cup Semi-Final
An epic ODI history-booker, where New Zealand pulled the tournament out from South Africa’s edge after rain yielded one of cricket’s greatest ever matches. After Grant Elliott hit a memorable six to book New Zealand their maiden World Cup final.
2021 ICC World Test Championship Era
Both teams stayed top of the pile in terms of Test nations, with New Zealand even achieving a milestone by winning the World Test Championship Final.
2025 Champions Trophy Semi-Final
In an ICC knockout match between New Zealand and South Africa, the Blackcaps won again; a standard practice for them in any major tournament.
2026 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
New Zealand overpowered South Africa by nine wickets with a record century (top score 132 off 59) as they booked their place in the final.
Most Memorable New Zealand vs South Africa Matches
2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final
| Venue | Auckland |
| Winner | New Zealand |
| Margin | 4 Wickets |
| Hero | Grant Elliott |
Grant Elliott’s unbeaten 84 remains one of the most iconic World Cup innings ever played.
2026 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
| Venue | Kolkata |
| Winner | New Zealand |
| Margin | 9 Wickets |
| Hero | Finn Allen |
Allen smashed one of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history, dismantling South Africa’s bowling attack.
Top Run Scorers in New Zealand vs South Africa Matches
| Player | Team | Format | Runs |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | All Formats | 2000+ |
| Graeme Smith | South Africa | Tests/ODIs | 1800+ |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | All Formats | 1700+ |
| Ross Taylor | New Zealand | All Formats | 1500+ |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | ODIs/T20Is | 1400+ |
These legends have consistently influenced the outcome of matches between the two nations.
Top Wicket Takers in New Zealand vs South Africa Matches
| Player | Team | Wickets |
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 70+ |
| Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 60+ |
| Allan Donald | South Africa | 50+ |
| Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 50+ |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 45+ |
South Africa’s fast-bowling tradition has been a major factor behind its historical dominance.
ICC Tournament Record: New Zealand vs South Africa
One of the most interesting aspects of this rivalry is New Zealand’s success in major ICC knockout matches.
| Tournament | Stage | Winner |
| 2011 World Cup | Quarter-Final | New Zealand |
| 2015 World Cup | Semi-Final | New Zealand |
| 2025 Champions Trophy | Semi-Final | New Zealand |
| 2026 T20 World Cup | Semi-Final | New Zealand |
Many cricket fans and analysts often point out that while South Africa leads the overall head-to-head record, New Zealand frequently wins the matches that matter most in ICC events.
Key Records
| Record | Achievement |
| Highest Team Total | South Africa – 357 |
| Highest Individual Score | Various century-makers |
| Best Bowling Figures | Multiple five-wicket hauls |
| Largest ODI Win | South Africa by 190 Runs |
| Biggest ICC Knockout Win | New Zealand by 9 Wickets (2026 T20 WC SF) |
Also Read: Highest Partnership in IPL History | Highest Wicket Taker in World Cup
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline (1932–2025)
This detailed timeline table covers the most important Test, ODI, T20I, World Cup, Champions Trophy, and ICC knockout matches between New Zealand and South Africa.
| Year | Format/Tournament | Venue | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Test Series | New Zealand | South Africa won 2-0 | First-ever Test series between the two teams |
| 1932 | 1st Test | Christchurch | South Africa won by innings & 12 runs | First Test match between NZ and SA |
| 1932 | 2nd Test | Wellington | South Africa won by 10 wickets | Proteas completed a clean sweep |
| 1953 | Test Series | South Africa | South Africa won 4-0 | First NZ tour of South Africa |
| 1961-62 | Test Series | New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-1 | First-ever Test series victory for NZ over SA |
| 1962 | 3rd Test | Christchurch | New Zealand won | Historic breakthrough victory |
| 1992 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Auckland | New Zealand won by 7 wickets | First World Cup meeting |
| 1994 | ODI Series | New Zealand | South Africa won 5-2 | Beginning of modern ODI rivalry |
| 1998 | ICC KnockOut Trophy | Bangladesh | South Africa won | Major ICC tournament clash |
| 1999 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Birmingham | South Africa won by 9 wickets | Dominant World Cup performance |
| 2000 | ICC KnockOut Trophy Final | Nairobi | New Zealand won by 4 wickets | NZ’s first ICC trophy |
| 2003 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Johannesburg | New Zealand won | SA suffered group-stage setback |
| 2004 | Test Series | South Africa | South Africa won 2-0 | Graeme Smith-led dominance |
| 2005 | ODI Series | South Africa | South Africa won 4-1 | Peak Proteas ODI era |
| 2007 | ICC Cricket World Cup | St Lucia | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Important Super Eight clash |
| 2011 | ICC Cricket World Cup Quarter-Final | Dhaka | New Zealand won by 49 runs | Major upset over South Africa |
| 2012 | Test Series | New Zealand | Series Drawn 1-1 | Competitive modern-era contest |
| 2013 | ODI Series | South Africa | South Africa won 2-1 | AB de Villiers dominated the series |
| 2014 | T20 Series | South Africa | South Africa won 2-1 | Growing T20 rivalry |
| 2015 | ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final | Auckland | New Zealand won by 4 wickets | Grant Elliott’s iconic six |
| 2015 | World Cup SF | Auckland | NZ 299/6 chased DLS target | One of cricket’s greatest matches |
| 2016 | Test Series | South Africa | South Africa won 1-0 | Kagiso Rabada starred |
| 2017 | Test Series | New Zealand | Series Drawn 1-1 | Balanced contest |
| 2017 | ODI Series | New Zealand | South Africa won 3-2 | Close bilateral series |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Birmingham | New Zealand won by 4 wickets | Kane Williamson masterclass |
| 2020 | ODI Series | New Zealand | New Zealand won 3-0 | Home dominance by Black Caps |
| 2022 | ICC Women’s World Cup Era | Multiple | Rivalry expanded globally | Increased cricket engagement |
| 2023 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Pune | South Africa won by 190 runs | One of SA’s biggest wins over NZ |
| 2023 | World Cup Match | Pune | SA 357/4 vs NZ 167 | Massive Proteas victory |
| 2024 | Test Series | New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 | Historic home series triumph |
| 2024 | 1st Test | Mount Maunganui | NZ won by 281 runs | Biggest Test win over SA |
| 2024 | 2nd Test | Hamilton | NZ won by 7 wickets | First Test series sweep of SA |
| 2025 | ICC Champions Trophy Semi-Final | Lahore | New Zealand won by 50 runs | Another ICC knockout victory |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy SF | Lahore | NZ reached the final | Continued ICC dominance over SA |
Conclusion
Stats for the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs the South Africa National Cricket Team showcase a rich rivalry. South Africa has the overall upper hand in both Tests, ODIs, and T20Is head-to-head record, but New Zealand has produced exhilarating performances whenever they have faced South Africa in ICC knockout tournaments.
It has given rise to unforgettable memories, from the tense 2015 World Cup semi-final to the important group stage clash during the 2026 T20 World Cup. With both countries still at the top of the tree and both boasting a great number of fine players, there are sure to be many more fascinating contests in years to come.
FAQs – New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Stats
Q1. How many times has New Zealand beaten South Africa in international cricket?
New Zealand has won approximately 44 international matches against South Africa across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Q2. Which team leads the overall head-to-head record?
South Africa leads the overall rivalry across all formats.
Q3. Who won the famous 2015 World Cup semi-final?
New Zealand defeated South Africa in a thrilling rain-affected match.
Q4. What is the Test head-to-head record between New Zealand and South Africa?
South Africa leads with 26 wins compared to New Zealand’s 7 victories.
Q5. Why is this rivalry special?
Despite South Africa’s superior overall record, New Zealand has repeatedly beaten them in crucial ICC knockout matches.
Also Read: India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
