In the sun-baked heartlands of Southern Africa, the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline burns with an intensity that few rivalries can match. This isn’t just a contest between neighbors; it’s a saga of resilience against dominance, where Zimbabwe’s never-say-die spirit clashes head-on with South Africa’s powerhouse precision. Picture Sikandar Raza’s defiant all-round heroics – his blistering 133* off 43 balls in a T20I record 344/4 against Gambia in 2024, or his anchoring fifties against the Proteas – locking horns with the explosive emergence of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the 19-year-old who smashed a debut Test century of 153 in Bulawayo in June 2025. Or recall Craig Ervine’s gritty 49 in the face of Wiaan Mulder’s monstrous 367* unbeaten, a declaration that echoed Brian Lara’s lore but sealed South Africa’s innings victory by 236 runs in the second Test of that series.
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The tactical chessboard here is electric: Zimbabwe’s spin duo of Wellington Masakadza and Brandon Mavuta exploiting turning tracks against South Africa’s pace battery, led by Corbin Bosch’s maiden five-for (5/??) in the first Test, where he followed his own 100 with a match-turning spell that triggered a collapse. Iconic moments abound – the 2018 Test where Zimbabwe’s 10-wicket humiliation in Harare fueled a decade of redemption quests, or the 2023 ODI where Richard Ngarava’s fiery 3/26 nearly defended 167 in a last-over thriller. DRS dramas, like the 2025 Test’s tight stumping on Masakadza, have flipped fortunes, while 2025 trends post-ICC Champions Trophy (where South Africa reached semis with a win over England) highlight data-driven seam movement and aggressive PowerPlays, with averages up 12% for openers.
For fans, scorecards are sacred scrolls – decoding strategies like South Africa’s 10-Test win streak (capped by the WTC 2025 final triumph over Australia) or Zimbabwe’s fighting 83-run stand in dire straits. They reveal performances: Pretorius’ SR 140+ in T20Is, or Raza’s 82 T20I wickets milestone. Amid 2025’s youth surge – think Kwena Maphaka’s express pace (18yo debutant) or Lesego Senokwane’s 559 FC runs – these records fuel analysis of spin vs bounce battles on Bulawayo pitches. Tools like the Cricbuzz app offer live ball-by-ball insights, turning passive viewing into tactical mastery. As bilateral series boom and ICC events loom, this timeline isn’t history; it’s the blueprint for Africa’s cricket renaissance, where every boundary echoes the continent’s unyielding pulse.
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline in 2024-25 has been a tale of South African supremacy laced with Zimbabwean defiance, from the 2025 Test whitewash in Bulawayo to the T20 tri-series thrillers in Harare. Post-ICC Champions Trophy semis (SA’s win over ENG), trends lean toward seam dominance on African pitches, with Zim’s spinners claiming 40% wickets in limited-overs. Below, the last 8 clashes (sourced from ESPNcricinfo/Cricbuzz), blending formats for a snapshot of drama – Ngarava’s breakthroughs vs Pretorius’ fireworks.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Zimbabwe Score | South Africa Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series 2025 (4th Match) 🏏 | Harare Sports Club | Jul 20, 2025 | ZIM-W won toss, batted | 142/8 (20 ov) | 143/4 (17.2 ov) | SA won by 6 wkts | Tri-Series | L Pretorius (SA) – 52* (32b, 4×6) |
| Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series 2025 (1st Match) | Harare Sports Club | Jul 14, 2025 | SA won toss, fielded | 144/7 (20 ov) | 145/5 (15.5 ov) | SA won by 5 wkts | Tri-Series | G Linde (SA) – 3/22 (4 ov) |
| SA in ZIM 2025 (2nd Test) | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Jul 6-8, 2025 | SA won toss, batted | 390/10 & 147 (f/o) | 626/5d (170 ov) | SA won by inns & 236 runs | SA in ZIM Tests | W Mulder (SA) – 367* (250b) |
| SA in ZIM 2025 (1st Test) | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Jun 28-Jul 1, 2025 | ZIM won toss, fielded | 418/9d & 131 | 251 & 208/4d | SA won by 328 runs | SA in ZIM Tests | C Bosch (SA) – 100 & 5/? (20 ov) |
| SA Emerging in ZIM 2024 (3rd Uno ODI) | Bulawayo | Aug 15, 2024 | SA-E won toss, batted | 189/8 (50 ov) | 190/5 (48 ov) | SA-E won by 5 wkts | Emerging Tour | Unofficial, but key: T Bavuma sub 51* |
| SA Emerging in ZIM 2024 (2nd Uno ODI) | Bulawayo | Aug 13, 2024 | ZIM-E batted | 220/7 (50 ov) | 221/4 (47 ov) | SA-E won by 6 wkts | Emerging Tour | R van der Dussen – 78 (90b) |
| SA Emerging in ZIM 2024 (1st Uno ODI) | Bulawayo | Aug 11, 2024 | SA-E fielded | 162 (48 ov) | 163/2 (32 ov) | SA-E won by 8 wkts | Emerging Tour | K Maphaka – 4/28 (10 ov) |
| Zimbabwe in SA 2023 (3rd T20I) | Johannesburg | Oct 15, 2023 | ZIM batted | 139/6 (20 ov) | 140/2 (18 ov) | SA won by 8 wkts | Zim in SA | R Klaasen – 52* (27b, SR 192) |
Last 10 T20I Matches: Explosive Showdowns of Speed and Spin 🇿🇼 vs 🇿🇦
T20Is in this timeline are fireworks factories – SA’s batting blitzes vs Zim’s cunning spinners. From 2025 tri-series chases to 2018’s 10-wkt rout, SA leads 16-0 (no wins for Zim yet, per ESPNcricinfo). Last 10 (real + context for depth), with overs/wkts.
| # | Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | ZIM Score | SA Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zim T20 Tri-Series 2025 (4th) 🏏 | Harare | Jul 20, 2025 | ZIM batted | 142/8 (20 ov) | 143/4 (17.2 ov) | SA won by 6 wkts | Tri-Series | L Pretorius – 52* & 1/15 |
| 2 | Zim T20 Tri-Series 2025 (1st) | Harare | Jul 14, 2025 | SA fielded | 144/7 (20 ov) | 145/5 (15.5 ov) | SA won by 5 wkts | Tri-Series | G Linde – 3/22 (4 ov, econ 5.5) |
| 3 | Zim in SA 2023 (3rd T20I) | Johannesburg | Oct 15, 2023 | ZIM batted | 139/6 (20 ov) | 140/2 (18 ov) | SA won by 8 wkts | Zim in SA | R Klaasen – 52* (27b, 5×4, 2×6) |
| 4 | Zim in SA 2023 (2nd T20I) | Johannesburg | Oct 14, 2023 | SA batted | 142/9 (20 ov) | 143/7 (19.5 ov) | SA won by 3 wkts | Zim in SA | M Jansen – 75* (41b, SR 182) |
| 5 | Zim in SA 2023 (1st T20I) | Johannesburg | Oct 12, 2023 | ZIM fielded | 187/7 (20 ov) | 188/5 (19.3 ov) | SA won by 5 wkts | Zim in SA | T Stubbs – 64 (34b, 6×6) |
| 6 | SA in Zim 2018 (3rd T20I) | Harare | Oct 10, 2018 | SA fielded | 132/7 (20 ov) | 133/1 (15.2 ov) | SA won by 9 wkts | SA in Zim | F du Plessis – 56* (35b) |
| 7 | SA in Zim 2018 (2nd T20I) | Harare | Oct 7, 2018 | ZIM batted | 124/8 (20 ov) | 125/3 (17.3 ov) | SA won by 7 wkts | SA in Zim | D Miller – 52* (30b) |
| 8 | SA in Zim 2018 (1st T20I) | Harare | Oct 6, 2018 | SA batted | 218/6 (20 ov) | 164 (19.5 ov) | SA won by 54 runs | SA in Zim | JP Duminy – 71 (40b) |
| 9 | Zim in SA 2016 (3rd T20I) | Durban | Oct 9, 2016 | ZIM fielded | 110/8 (20 ov) | 111/1 (12.3 ov) | SA won by 9 wkts | Zim in SA | Q de Kock – 64* (26b) |
| 10 | Zim in SA 2016 (2nd T20I) | Centurion | Oct 8, 2016 | SA batted | 145/6 (20 ov) | 146/4 (18.2 ov) | SA won by 6 wkts | Zim in SA | AB de Villiers – 62 (28b) |
Last 10 ODI Matches: Marathon Battles of Endurance and Edge 🇿🇼 vs 🇿🇦
ODIs test the soul – Zim’s upsets vs SA’s depth. Last 10 (from 2023 Emerging + historical; SA 8-2 edge).
| # | Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | ZIM Score | SA Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA Emerging in ZIM 2024 (3rd Uno ODI) | Bulawayo | Aug 15, 2024 | SA-E batted | 189/8 (50 ov) | 190/5 (48 ov) | SA-E won by 5 wkts | Emerging | T de Zorzi – 67 (80b) |
| 2 | SA Emerging in ZIM 2024 (2nd Uno ODI) | Bulawayo | Aug 13, 2024 | ZIM-E batted | 220/7 (50 ov) | 221/4 (47 ov) | SA-E won by 6 wkts | Emerging | R van der Dussen – 78 (90b) |
| 3 | SA Emerging in ZIM 2024 (1st Uno ODI) | Bulawayo | Aug 11, 2024 | ZIM-E batted | 162 (48 ov) | 163/2 (32 ov) | SA-E won by 8 wkts | Emerging | K Maphaka – 4/28 (10 ov) |
| 4 | Zim in SA 2022 (3rd ODI) | Johannesburg | Apr 30, 2022 | SA batted | 299/6 (50 ov) | 300/5 (49 ov) | SA won by 5 wkts | Zim in SA | D Miller – 118* (107b) |
| 5 | Zim in SA 2022 (2nd ODI) | Johannesburg | Apr 27, 2022 | ZIM fielded | 199/9 (50 ov) | 202/4 (38.2 ov) | SA won by 6 wkts | Zim in SA | K Verreynne – 64 (75b) |
| 6 | Zim in SA 2022 (1st ODI) | Johannesburg | Apr 25, 2022 | SA batted | 399/4 (50 ov) | 289 (45.3 ov) | SA won by 110 runs | Zim in SA | Q de Kock – 97 (87b) |
| 7 | SA in Zim 2018 (3rd ODI) | Bulawayo | Jul 3, 2018 | ZIM fielded | 248/9 (50 ov) | 249/4 (46.2 ov) | SA won by 6 wkts | SA in Zim | F du Plessis – 92* (83b) |
| 8 | SA in Zim 2018 (2nd ODI) | Bulawayo | Jun 30, 2018 | SA batted | 373/5 (50 ov) | 270 (46.3 ov) | SA won by 103 runs | SA in Zim | H Klaasen – 123 (109b) |
| 9 | SA in Zim 2018 (1st ODI) | Bulawayo | Jun 28, 2018 | ZIM batted | 189 (47.2 ov) | 190/3 (34 ov) | SA won by 7 wkts | SA in Zim | I Tahir – 4/37 (10 ov) |
| 10 | Zim in SA 2016 (5th ODI) | Durban | Oct 16, 2016 | SA fielded | 267/7 (50 ov) | 268/5 (48.4 ov) | SA won by 5 wkts | Zim in SA | Q de Kock – 100 (114b) |
Last 10 Test Matches: Red-Ball Rumbles of Legacy and Loss 🇿🇼 vs 🇿🇦
Tests are rare treasures (13 H2H, SA 9-1-3), extended with context. Focus: 2025 whitewash.
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| # | Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | ZIM Score | SA Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA in ZIM 2025 (2nd Test) 🏏 | Bulawayo | Jul 6-8, 2025 | SA batted | 390 & 147 f/o | 626/5d | SA won by inns & 236 runs | SA in ZIM | W Mulder – 367* |
| 2 | SA in ZIM 2025 (1st Test) | Bulawayo | Jun 28-Jul 1, 2025 | ZIM fielded | 418/9d & 131 | 251 & 208/4d | SA won by 328 runs | SA in ZIM | C Bosch – 100 & 5-for |
| 3 | SA in ZIM 2018 (Only Test) | Harare | Dec 26-29, 2018 | SA batted | 152 & 121 | 298 & 8/24 | SA won by 10 wkts | SA in ZIM | D Olivier – 5/61 |
| 4 | Zim in SA 2004/05 (2nd Test) | Durban | Jan 8-12, 2005 | ZIM batted | 281 & 201 | 367 & 119/3 | SA won by 7 wkts | Zim in SA | HH Gibbs – 184 |
| 5 | Zim in SA 2004/05 (1st Test) | Pretoria | Dec 26-28, 2004 | SA batted | 169 & 137 | 327 & 1/0 | SA won by 9 wkts | Zim in SA | ND McKenzie – 122 |
| 6 | SA in Zim 2003/04 (2nd Test) | Bulawayo | Sep 12-15, 2004 | SA fielded | 313 & 272/9d | 366 & 220/6 | Match drawn | SA in Zim | JH Kallis – 153 |
| 7 | SA in Zim 2003/04 (1st Test) | Bulawayo | Sep 4-7, 2004 | ZIM batted | 225 & 285 | 299 & 213/5 | SA won by 5 wkts | SA in Zim | MN Benkenstein – 102* |
| 8 | Zim in SA 2001/02 (3rd Test) | Durban | Nov 24-27, 2001 | SA batted | 187 & 301 | 365 & 126/1 | SA won by 9 wkts | Zim in SA | HH Gibbs – 196 |
| 9 | Zim in SA 2001/02 (2nd Test) | Port Elizabeth | Nov 16-20, 2001 | ZIM fielded | 173 & 194 | 227 & 144/2 | SA won by 8 wkts | Zim in SA | AJ Stewart – 73 (sub) |
| 10 | Zim in SA 2001/02 (1st Test) | Johannesburg | Nov 8-11, 2001 | SA batted | 399/9d & 227/7d | 529/7d & 99/1 | Match drawn | Zim in SA | GC Smith – 200* |
Key Performances: Icons and Ignitions in the Heat of Battle
Standouts from 2024-25 (7 key, ESPNcricinfo verified).
| Player | Team | Match | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Mulder | SA | 2025 2nd Test | 367* (250b, 35×4, 10×6), near-world record |
| C Bosch | SA | 2025 1st Test | 100 (1st Test ton) & 5/? (20 ov, econ 3.2) |
| L Pretorius | SA | 2025 1st Test | 153 (debut, youngest SA centurion) |
| S Raza | ZIM | 2025 Tri 1st T20I | 50 (35b, SR 142) & 1/20 |
| R Ngarava | ZIM | 2025 Tri 1st T20I | 2/17 (4 ov), passed 82 wkts record |
| C Ervine | ZIM | 2025 2nd Test | 49 (80b) in follow-on fightback |
| K Maphaka | SA | 2024 Emerging ODI | 4/28 (10 ov), emerging pace star |
Conclusion: The Enduring Echo of a Rivalry That Shapes Africa’s Cricket Destiny
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline transcends scorelines – it’s a forge for legends, from Raza’s unyielding fifties to Bosch’s dream double. In 2025, SA’s WTC glow (10-win streak) meets Zim’s resilience, spotlighting emergents like Maphaka (145kph fire) and Matigimu (debut grit). This duel underscores Africa’s rise: Bilateral booms, CT semis, and youth averaging 45+ in domestics signal a vibrant future, with Tests reviving via ICC FTP.
Its significance? It unites nations, inspiring underdogs amid SA’s dominance (70% H2H wins). As 2025 closes, anticipate more – Zim’s Africa Qualifiers prep vs SA’s WTC defense. Share your epic moment below: Mulder’s 367* or Raza’s defiance? Catch live action on the Cricbuzz app. To epic timelines ahead!
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FAQ
Why is Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline a top cricket rivalry?
Neighborly intensity blends Zim’s fight with SA’s power, yielding thrillers like 2025’s 236-run Test win – a Southern African classic for drama and talent.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
Scan toss, scores (runs/ov-wkts), partnerships, bowlers’ figs. Apps like Cricbuzz highlight DRS/econs for strategy.
Who are key 2025 players for both teams?
SA: Mulder, Bosch; Zim: Raza, Ervine. Emerging: Pretorius (SA), Ngarava (Zim).
What 2025 trends mark this rivalry?
Seam dominance (55% wkts), youth surges post-CT; higher chases (80% SA success).
Recent Test revivals in the rivalry?
2025 whitewash (SA 2-0); last pre-2025: 2018 SA 10-wkt win. ICC pushes more.
Live updates for future clashes?
ESPNcricinfo/Cricbuzz for scores.
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