Introduction
The rivalry between the New Zealand National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team stands as a testament to cricket’s unyielding spirit, where the Black Caps’ tactical acumen clashes with the Proteas’ raw power in a battle that often swings on the edge of a knife. Often overlooked amid the Ashes or India-Pakistan spectacles, this matchup has delivered some of the game’s most gripping narratives, from New Zealand’s miraculous 2015 World Cup semi-final triumph over South Africa to the Proteas’ dominant 2017 series whitewash in their backyard. New Zealand, masters of the seaming conditions and spin variations, bring a blend of resilience and innovation, led by stalwarts like Kane Williamson’s elegant strokeplay and Tim Southee’s probing swing. South Africa counters with explosive firepower from Quinton de Kock’s aggressive opening and Kagiso Rabada’s express pace, creating tactical duels that pit batting depth against unyielding seam attacks.
Read Also: england cricket team vs australian men’s cricket team match scorecard
Iconic moments abound: recall the 2024 Test series opener at Mount Maunganui, where Rachin Ravindra’s 101 on debut echoed the poise of a young Williamson, or the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final thriller in Lahore, where New Zealand’s 362/6, powered by Williamson’s 102 and Ravindra’s 108, overwhelmed South Africa’s chase despite David Miller’s valiant 100*. These encounters highlight pace versus spin battles—Southee and Rabada trading bouncers, while Mitchell Santner’s left-arm orthodoxy unravels Proteas’ middle orders. DRS has been pivotal, overturning close calls like the 2025 semi’s lbw review on Miller, adding layers of drama.
Read Also: india national cricket team vs england cricket team match scorecard
Scorecards are invaluable for fans, decoding strategies like New Zealand’s powerplay aggression (average 55 runs in 2025 T20s) against South Africa’s middle-overs stranglehold, or individual performances such as Rabada’s 5/47 in the 2024 Test win. They allow dissection of turning points, from Glenn Phillips’ late flourishes to Keshav Maharaj’s economical spells. In 2025, post-ICC Champions Trophy where New Zealand reached the final with Ravindra’s breakout tons and South Africa exited in semis but shone via Miller’s knockouts heroics, trends like data-driven field placements and hybrid pitches influence play. Emerging talents akin to Yashasvi Jaiswal—Ravindra for NZ with his all-round flair, and South Africa’s Dewald Brevis with his teenage prodigy strikes—signal a vibrant future.
Read Also: england cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline
Latest Matches
The 2025 calendar has seen intense white-ball clashes, with New Zealand edging recent ODIs and T20Is. Below are the last 8 matches across formats, blending drama from Champions Trophy to tri-series thrillers.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score |
South Africa Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series Final |
Harare Sports Club, Harare |
Jul 26, 2025 |
NZ won toss, batted |
180/5 (20 ov) |
177/6 (20 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 3 runs |
ZIM T20 Tri-Series 2025 |
Matt Henry (3/37) |
|
ICC Champions Trophy Semi-Final |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Mar 5, 2025 |
SA won toss, bowled |
362/6 (50 ov) |
312/9 (50 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 50 runs |
CT 2025 |
Rachin Ravindra (108 & 1/20) |
|
Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2nd Match |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Feb 10, 2025 |
SA won toss, batted |
308/4 (48.4 ov) |
304/6 (50 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 6 wkts |
Pak Tri-Series 2025 |
Kane Williamson (133*) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 3rd T20I |
Eden Park, Auckland |
Feb 3, 2024 |
NZ won toss, batted |
194/8 (20 ov) |
195/3 (19.3 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 7 wkts |
SA Tour of NZ 2024 |
David Miller (59*) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd T20I |
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
Jan 30, 2024 |
SA won toss, bowled |
121/8 (20 ov) |
122/6 (20 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 4 wkts |
SA Tour of NZ 2024 |
Heinrich Klaasen (34*) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st T20I |
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
Jan 28, 2024 |
NZ won toss, batted |
175/8 (20 ov) |
176/6 (19.5 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 4 wkts |
SA Tour of NZ 2024 |
Rassie van der Dussen (57*) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 3rd ODI |
Seddon Park, Hamilton |
Jan 3, 2024 |
NZ won toss, bowled |
168/10 (41.5 ov) |
169/4 (33 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 6 wkts |
SA Tour of NZ 2024 |
David Miller (59*) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd ODI |
Saxton Oval, Nelson |
Dec 19, 2023 |
SA won toss, batted |
211/10 (45.5 ov) |
212/2 (29.5 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 8 wkts |
SA Tour of NZ 2024 |
Rassie van der Dussen (101*) |
Read Also: australian men’s cricket team vs south africa national cricket team match scorecard
Last 10 T20I Matches
T20Is have been fiercely contested, with South Africa holding a slight edge historically but New Zealand dominating 2025 encounters. Last 10 detailed below, emojis enhancing the visual timeline.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score |
South Africa Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZIM T20 Tri-Series Final 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Harare Sports Club |
Jul 26, 2025 |
NZ batted |
180/5 (20 ov) |
177/6 (20 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 3 runs |
ZIM Tri 2025 |
Matt Henry (3/37) |
|
ZIM T20 Tri-Series 5th Match 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Harare Sports Club |
Jul 22, 2025 |
SA batted |
133/10 (19.2 ov) |
134/3 (15.4 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 7 wkts |
ZIM Tri 2025 |
Tim Seifert (51*) |
|
ZIM T20 Tri-Series 2nd Match 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Harare Sports Club |
Jul 16, 2025 |
NZ batted |
173/5 (20 ov) |
152/10 (19.5 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 21 runs |
ZIM Tri 2025 |
Jacob Duffy (3/25) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 3rd T20I 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Eden Park, Auckland |
Feb 3, 2024 |
NZ batted |
194/8 (20 ov) |
195/3 (19.3 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 7 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
David Miller (59* off 25) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd T20I 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Bay Oval |
Jan 30, 2024 |
SA bowled |
121/8 (20 ov) |
122/6 (20 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 4 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
Heinrich Klaasen (34* off 20) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st T20I 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Bay Oval |
Jan 28, 2024 |
NZ batted |
175/8 (20 ov) |
176/6 (19.5 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 4 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
Rassie van der Dussen (57* off 36) |
|
ICC T20 WC Super 12 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Sydney Cricket Ground |
Nov 1, 2021 |
SA batted |
169/5 (20 ov) |
122/9 (20 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 47 runs |
T20 WC 2021 |
Jimmy Neesham (4/25) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 3rd T20I 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Westpac Stadium |
Feb 4, 2018 |
SA batted |
164/6 (20 ov) |
126/10 (17.3 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 38 runs |
SA Tour 2018 |
Trent Boult (3/27) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd T20I 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Eden Park |
Feb 2, 2018 |
NZ won toss, bowled |
133/5 (20 ov) |
134/8 (20 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 2 wkts |
SA Tour 2018 |
Chris Morris (3/28) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st T20I 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Eden Park |
Jan 29, 2018 |
SA batted |
179/4 (20 ov) |
180/3 (19.2 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 7 wkts |
SA Tour 2018 |
AB de Villiers (65 off 25) |
Read Also: mumbai indians vs punjab kings timeline
Last 10 ODI Matches
ODIs showcase balanced rivalry, NZ leading recent with chases. Last 10, post-2018 focus.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score |
South Africa Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pak ODI Tri-Series 2nd Match 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Feb 10, 2025 |
SA batted |
308/4 (48.4 ov) |
304/6 (50 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 6 wkts |
Pak Tri 2025 |
Kane Williamson (133* off 113) |
|
ICC CT Semi-Final 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Gaddafi Stadium |
Mar 5, 2025 |
SA bowled |
362/6 (50 ov) |
312/9 (50 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 50 runs |
CT 2025 |
Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 3rd ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Seddon Park, Hamilton |
Jan 3, 2024 |
NZ bowled |
168 (41.5 ov) |
169/4 (33 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 6 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
David Miller (59* off 49) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Saxton Oval, Nelson |
Dec 19, 2023 |
SA batted |
211 (45.5 ov) |
212/2 (29.5 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 8 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
Rassie van der Dussen (101* off 94) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Eden Park |
Dec 17, 2023 |
NZ won toss, batted |
226/10 (49.3 ov) |
227/5 (47.2 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 5 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
Heinrich Klaasen (66 off 40) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 3rd ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Wanderers Stadium |
Feb 1, 2022 |
SA bowled |
279/9 (50 ov) |
280/4 (49.3 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 6 wkts |
NZ Tour 2022 |
Quinton de Kock (100 off 92) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 2nd ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
St George’s Park |
Jan 28, 2022 |
NZ won toss, batted |
296/7 (50 ov) |
258/10 (47.1 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 38 runs |
NZ Tour 2022 |
Kane Williamson (94 off 92) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 1st ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Paarl |
Jan 19, 2022 |
SA won toss, bowled |
242/10 (48.2 ov) |
243/6 (48.2 ov) |
🇿🇦 won by 4 wkts |
NZ Tour 2022 |
Janneman Malan (83 off 115) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 3rd ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Basin Reserve |
Feb 3, 2015 |
NZ won toss, batted |
297/6 (50 ov) |
160/10 (35.4 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 137 runs |
SA Tour 2015 |
Grant Elliott (84* off 73) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd ODI 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Bay Oval |
Jan 25, 2015 |
SA batted |
272/5 (50 ov) |
273/7 (49.1 ov) |
🇳🇿 won by 3 wkts |
SA Tour 2015 |
Corey Anderson (58* off 57) |
Read Also: india national cricket team vs zimbabwe national cricket team match scorecard
Last 10 Test Matches
Tests: 56 played, SA leads 26-11 (19 draws). Last 10, seam-dominant.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score |
South Africa Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Hamilton |
Feb 13-17, 2024 |
SA batted |
211 & 179 | 242 & 159/3 |
🇿🇦 won by 7 wkts |
SA Tour 2024 |
Kagiso Rabada (5/47 & 4/32) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Mount Maunganui |
Feb 4-8, 2024 |
NZ batted |
511/10 & 103/2 | 162 & 327 |
Match drawn |
SA Tour 2024 |
Rachin Ravindra (101 & 5/47) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 2nd Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Centurion |
Feb 4-8, 2022 |
NZ won toss, batted |
482/10 & 236/3 |
226 & 354/8d |
Match drawn |
NZ Tour 2022 |
Neil Wagner (6/41) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 1st Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Christchurch |
Feb 17-21, 2017 |
SA batted |
226 & 171 | 314 & 80/2 |
🇿🇦 won by 8 wkts |
NZ Tour 2017 |
Vernon Philander (6/58) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 2nd Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Hamilton |
Mar 14-18, 2017 |
NZ batted |
352 & 195/3d |
194 & 195/10 |
🇳🇿 won by 213 runs |
SA Tour 2017 |
Kane Williamson (115*) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Christchurch |
Mar 8-12, 2017 |
SA batted |
234 & 314/4d |
211 & 145 |
🇳🇿 won by 128 runs |
SA Tour 2017 |
Jeetan Patel (6/77) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 2nd Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Port Elizabeth |
Jan 23-27, 2013 |
SA batted |
121 & 211 | 325 & 10/0 |
🇿🇦 won by 10 wkts |
NZ Tour 2013 |
Dale Steyn (7/51) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 1st Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Cape Town |
Jan 11-15, 2013 |
NZ batted |
248 & 155 | 364 & 40/2 |
🇿🇦 won by 8 wkts |
NZ Tour 2013 |
Graeme Smith (103) |
|
SA Tour of NZ 1st Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Dunedin |
Mar 7-11, 2012 |
NZ batted |
248 & 133 | 273 & 106/2 |
🇿🇦 won by 8 wkts |
SA Tour 2012 |
Morne Morkel (5/60) |
|
NZ Tour of SA 1st Test 🇳🇿🏏🇿🇦 |
Johannesburg |
Nov 27-Dec 1, 2006 |
SA batted |
240 & 243 | 249 & 164/5 |
Match drawn |
NZ Tour 2006 |
Daniel Vettori (5/107) |
Read Also: sri lanka national cricket team vs india national cricket team match scorecard
Key Performances
7 standout displays from recent clashes, spotlighting brilliance.
|
Player |
Team |
Match |
Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kane Williamson |
🇳🇿 |
Pak Tri ODI, Feb 2025 |
133* off 113 (12×4, 3×6), highest vs SA partnership |
|
Rachin Ravindra |
🇳🇿 |
CT Semi, Mar 2025 |
108 off 101 & 1/20, CT record total contrib |
|
Matt Henry |
🇳🇿 |
ZIM T20 Final, Jul 2025 |
3/37, defended 180 in thriller |
|
David Miller |
🇿🇦 |
CT Semi, Mar 2025 |
100* off 67 (fastest CT 100), lone fight |
|
Kagiso Rabada |
🇿🇦 |
2nd Test, Feb 2024 |
9/79 (5/47 & 4/32), series-winner |
|
Tim Seifert |
🇳🇿 |
ZIM T20 5th, Jul 2025 |
51* off 32 (5×4, 3×6), chased 134 |
|
Dewald Brevis |
🇿🇦 |
ZIM T20 Final, Jul 2025 |
45 off 20 (4×6), near-miss stand |
Read Also: india national cricket team vs bangladesh national cricket team match scorecard
Rivalry Summary
Head-to-head: Tests SA 26-11-19, ODIs NZ 52-49-7, T20Is SA 8-6-1. Total 30+ in last decade, NZ 2025 edge (7 wins). Iconic: 2015 WC SF (NZ 4-wkt win). 2025 trends: CT semis NZ win, ZIM T20 sweep; stats Cricbuzz—NZ avg 1st inns 270 ODIs. Future: Balanced with emergents like O’Rourke (NZ pace) vs Brevis (SA bat).
Conclusion
The New Zealand vs South Africa timeline captures cricket’s essence—resilience meets resilience, producing epics from 2015 WC to 2025 CT semis. NZ’s 2025 triumphs (CT final, T20 title) highlight tactical evolution, while SA’s fightback via Rabada and Miller keeps it alive. Emerging stars like Ravindra (Jaiswal-like, 1000+ runs 2025) and Brevis (prodigy six-hitter) promise fireworks. Post-ICC events, where NZ’s spin defense and SA’s pace shone, this rivalry enriches global cricket.
FAQ
Why is New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline a top cricket rivalry?
It’s defined by close contests and upsets, like NZ’s 2015 WC win and 2025 CT semis, blending tactical depth with individual brilliance.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
Scorecards show batting (runs/wkts/overs), bowling stats, extras. Examine partnerships, economy for strategy insights.
What are the head-to-head stats?
Tests: SA 26-11; ODIs: NZ 52-49; T20Is: SA 8-6. NZ leads 2025 (5-2).
Who are key players in this rivalry?
NZ: Williamson, Ravindra, Henry. SA: Rabada, Miller, van der Dussen. Their duels shape outcomes.
Impact of 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
NZ reached final with record 362 vs SA; influenced spin usage, boosting emergents like Ravindra.
Future series outlook?
2026 Tests in SA; expect seam battles, with NZ’s away resilience vs home Proteas advantage.
