The South Africa National Cricket Team versus New Zealand National Cricket Team rivalry is a gripping saga of power, precision, and heart-stopping moments, spanning Test, ODI, and T20I formats. This clash pits South Africa’s ferocious pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, against New Zealand’s resilient batting and crafty spin, anchored by Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner. Iconic moments—like South Africa’s 2017 Christchurch Test triumph or New Zealand’s thrilling 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final win—have defined this contest, marked by tactical battles between fiery bouncers and disciplined spin. Emerging stars like South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra add fresh fire, making 2025 clashes must-watch affairs.
Scorecards are a fan’s window into the game, revealing strategies like South Africa’s aggressive powerplays or New Zealand’s death-over mastery. They capture drama, from Rabada’s searing yorkers to Williamson’s elegant centuries, with DRS calls adding spice, like a controversial lbw in the 2025 semi-final. Apps like Cricbuzz bring these moments alive with live stats, letting fans dissect every run and wicket. This article dives into the South Africa vs New Zealand timeline, offering detailed scorecards, standout performances, and Hindi summaries to celebrate a rivalry that thrives on intensity and skill.
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Latest Matches
The South Africa vs New Zealand rivalry has produced thrilling encounters recently, with both teams trading blows across formats. Below are the eight most recent matches, showcasing key moments and results.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
South Africa Score 🇿🇦 |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 |
Lahore, Pakistan |
5 Mar 2025 |
New Zealand |
311/9 (49.5/50) | 362/6 (50) |
New Zealand won by 51 runs |
Semi-Final |
David Miller (100) |
|
2nd Test |
Hamilton, New Zealand |
13 Feb 2024 |
New Zealand |
211 & 269/3 | 242 & 235 |
South Africa won by 7 wickets |
2-0 (SA) |
David Bedingham (110) |
|
1st Test |
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand |
4 Feb 2024 |
South Africa |
511 & 162/2 | 162 & 509 |
South Africa won by 281 runs |
1-0 (SA) |
Neil Brand (6/119) |
|
T20 World Cup 2021 |
Sharjah, UAE |
26 Oct 2021 |
South Africa |
144/6 (18.2/20) | 141/8 (20) |
South Africa won by 4 wickets |
Group Stage |
Anrich Nortje (3/8) |
|
ODI World Cup 2019 |
Birmingham, England |
19 Jun 2019 |
New Zealand |
245/6 (48.3/49) | 241/6 (49) |
South Africa won by 4 wickets |
Group Stage |
Rassie van der Dussen (67*) |
|
2nd Test |
Christchurch, New Zealand |
25 Feb 2022 |
South Africa |
364 & 354/9d |
293 & 227 |
South Africa won by 198 runs |
1-1 |
Kagiso Rabada (5/60) |
|
1st Test |
Christchurch, New Zealand |
17 Feb 2022 |
New Zealand |
95 & 111 | 482 |
New Zealand won by an innings and 276 runs |
1-0 (NZ) |
Matt Henry (7/23) |
|
T20I Series 2017 |
Auckland, New Zealand |
17 Feb 2017 |
New Zealand |
174/8 (20) | 185/6 (20) |
New Zealand won by 11 runs |
1-0 (NZ) |
Kane Williamson (54) |
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Last 10 Test Matches
Test matches between South Africa and New Zealand are intense, with pace and bounce dominating on Kiwi pitches and spin playing a role in tighter contests. Below are the last 10 Test encounters.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
South Africa Score 🇿🇦 |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd Test |
Hamilton, New Zealand |
13 Feb 2024 |
New Zealand |
211 & 269/3 | 242 & 235 |
South Africa won by 7 wickets |
2-0 (SA) |
David Bedingham (110) |
|
1st Test |
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand |
4 Feb 2024 |
South Africa |
511 & 162/2 | 162 & 509 |
South Africa won by 281 runs |
1-0 (SA) |
Neil Brand (6/119) |
|
2nd Test |
Christchurch, New Zealand |
25 Feb 2022 |
South Africa |
364 & 354/9d |
293 & 227 |
South Africa won by 198 runs |
1-1 |
Kagiso Rabada (5/60) |
|
1st Test |
Christchurch, New Zealand |
17 Feb 2022 |
New Zealand |
95 & 111 | 482 |
New Zealand won by an innings and 276 runs |
1-0 (NZ) |
Matt Henry (7/23) |
|
2nd Test |
Wellington, New Zealand |
16 Mar 2017 |
South Africa |
268 & 359 | 359 & 171 |
South Africa won by 8 wickets |
2-1 (SA) |
Keshav Maharaj (6/40) |
|
1st Test |
Dunedin, New Zealand |
8 Mar 2017 |
New Zealand |
341 & 224/6 | 308 |
Match Drawn |
1-0 (SA) |
Dean Elgar (140) |
|
3rd Test |
Hamilton, New Zealand |
25 Mar 2017 |
South Africa |
314 & 80/5 | 489 |
New Zealand won by 175 runs |
2-1 (SA) |
Jeet Raval (88) |
|
2nd Test |
Centurion, South Africa |
27 Aug 2016 |
South Africa |
481/8d |
214 & 195 |
South Africa won by an innings and 72 runs |
2-0 (SA) |
Quinton de Kock (104) |
|
1st Test |
Durban, South Africa |
19 Aug 2016 |
New Zealand |
263/7 (78.4) | – |
Match Drawn (Rain) |
1-0 (SA) |
– |
|
2nd Test |
Cape Town, South Africa |
2 Jan 2013 |
South Africa |
347 & 130/3 | 275 & 200 |
South Africa won by 7 wickets |
2-0 (SA) |
Jacques Kallis (113) |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
ODI clashes between South Africa and New Zealand are high-scoring affairs, with South Africa’s batting depth meeting New Zealand’s disciplined bowling. Below are the last 10 ODI matches.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
South Africa Score 🇿🇦 |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 |
Lahore, Pakistan |
5 Mar 2025 |
New Zealand |
311/9 (49.5/50) | 362/6 (50) |
New Zealand won by 51 runs |
Semi-Final |
David Miller (100) |
|
ODI World Cup 2023 |
Pune, India |
1 Nov 2023 |
South Africa |
357/4 (50) | 167 (35.3/50) |
South Africa won by 190 runs |
Group Stage |
Quinton de Kock (114) |
|
ODI World Cup 2019 |
Birmingham, England |
19 Jun 2019 |
New Zealand |
245/6 (48.3/49) | 241/6 (49) |
South Africa won by 4 wickets |
Group Stage |
Rassie van der Dussen (67*) |
|
ICC Champions Trophy 2017 |
Cardiff, Wales |
11 Jun 2017 |
New Zealand |
191 (44.3/50) | 299/6 (50) |
New Zealand won by 108 runs |
Group Stage |
Kane Williamson (100) |
|
ODI Series 2017 |
Auckland, New Zealand |
4 Mar 2017 |
South Africa |
280/3 (42.2/50) | 279/8 (50) |
South Africa won by 7 wickets |
4-1 (SA) |
AB de Villiers (85*) |
|
ODI Series 2017 |
Wellington, New Zealand |
25 Feb 2017 |
South Africa |
271/8 (50) | 112 (25.2/50) |
South Africa won by 159 runs |
3-1 (SA) |
Faf du Plessis (67) |
|
ODI Series 2017 |
Christchurch, New Zealand |
22 Feb 2017 |
New Zealand |
289/4 (50) | 292/7 (50) |
New Zealand won by 6 runs |
2-1 (SA) |
Ross Taylor (97) |
|
ODI Series 2017 |
Hamilton, New Zealand |
19 Feb 2017 |
New Zealand |
207 (44/50) | 210/6 (36/50) |
South Africa won by 4 wickets |
2-0 (SA) |
AB de Villiers (45) |
|
ODI Series 2017 |
Durban, South Africa |
5 Oct 2016 |
South Africa |
327/8 (50) | 168 (38.1/50) |
South Africa won by 159 runs |
1-0 (SA) |
Imran Tahir (5/45) |
|
ODI World Cup 2015 |
Auckland, New Zealand |
24 Mar 2015 |
New Zealand |
281/5 (43/43) | 299/6 (43) |
New Zealand won by 18 runs (D/L) |
Semi-Final |
Grant Elliott (84*) |
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Last 10 T20I Matches
T20I encounters between South Africa and New Zealand are explosive, with power-hitting and tight bowling creating thrilling finishes. Below are the last 10 T20I matches.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
South Africa Score 🇿🇦 |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
T20 World Cup 2021 |
Sharjah, UAE |
26 Oct 2021 |
South Africa |
144/6 (18.2/20) | 141/8 (20) |
South Africa won by 4 wickets |
Group Stage |
Anrich Nortje (3/8) |
|
T20I Series 2017 |
Auckland, New Zealand |
17 Feb 2017 |
New Zealand |
174/8 (20) | 185/6 (20) |
New Zealand won by 11 runs |
1-0 (NZ) |
Kane Williamson (54) |
|
T20 World Cup 2014 |
Chattogram, Bangladesh |
24 Mar 2014 |
South Africa |
165/7 (20) | 170/6 (20) |
South Africa won by 5 runs |
Group Stage |
JP Duminy (86*) |
|
T20I Series 2012 |
Hamilton, New Zealand |
19 Feb 2012 |
New Zealand |
173/4 (20) | 174/2 (16/20) |
New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
2-1 (NZ) |
Martin Guptill (47) |
|
T20I Series 2012 |
Auckland, New Zealand |
22 Feb 2012 |
South Africa |
147/6 (20) | 148/4 (19.2/20) |
South Africa won by 6 wickets |
1-1 |
Richard Levi (117*) |
|
T20I Series 2012 |
Wellington, New Zealand |
17 Feb 2012 |
South Africa |
195/7 (20) | 139/8 (20) |
South Africa won by 56 runs |
1-0 (SA) |
AB de Villiers (63) |
|
T20 World Cup 2012 |
Hambantota, Sri Lanka |
22 Sep 2012 |
New Zealand |
177/6 (20) | 178/4 (19.4/20) |
South Africa won by 6 wickets |
Group Stage |
AB de Villiers (54) |
|
T20I Series 2009 |
Centurion, South Africa |
15 Nov 2009 |
New Zealand |
153/7 (20) | 155/4 (18.5/20) |
South Africa won by 6 wickets |
2-0 (SA) |
Graeme Smith (61) |
|
T20I Series 2007 |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
23 Nov 2007 |
South Africa |
132/7 (20) | 129/7 (20) |
South Africa won by 3 wickets |
1-0 (SA) |
Shaun Pollock (3/28) |
|
T20 World Cup 2007 |
Durban, South Africa |
19 Sep 2007 |
New Zealand |
153/8 (20) | 158/4 (18.5/20) |
South Africa won by 6 wickets |
Group Stage |
Justin Kemp (89*) |
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Key Performances
The South Africa vs New Zealand rivalry has seen match-defining performances that have swung games and thrilled fans. Below are standout contributions from recent clashes.
|
Player |
Team |
Match |
Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
David Miller |
South Africa 🇿🇦 |
ICC Champions Trophy, 5 Mar 2025 |
100 off 67 balls |
|
Kane Williamson |
New Zealand 🇳🇿 |
ICC Champions Trophy, 5 Mar 2025 |
115 off 108 balls |
|
Kagiso Rabada |
South Africa 🇿🇦 |
2nd Test, 25 Feb 2022 |
5/60 in 17 overs |
|
Neil Brand |
South Africa 🇿🇦 |
1st Test, 4 Feb 2024 |
6/119 in 26 overs |
|
Quinton de Kock |
South Africa 🇿🇦 |
ODI World Cup, 1 Nov 2023 |
114 off 116 balls |
|
Matt Henry |
New Zealand 🇳🇿 |
1st Test, 17 Feb 2022 |
7/23 in 15 overs |
|
Anrich Nortje |
South Africa 🇿🇦 |
T20 World Cup, 26 Oct 2021 |
3/8 in 4 overs |
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Rivalry Summary
The South Africa vs New Zealand rivalry is a clash of cricketing titans, blending South Africa’s raw pace with New Zealand’s tactical nous. South Africa hold a slight edge in Tests (15-11 head-to-head), with their 2024 series sweep showcasing Rabada’s venom and Bedingham’s grit. New Zealand, however, dominate key ODI battles, like the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final, where their 362/6 overwhelmed South Africa’s chase despite Miller’s heroic 100. T20Is are closely fought, with South Africa’s 6-4 record reflecting tight finishes, like the 2021 T20 World Cup thriller.
Tactical battles define this rivalry. South Africa’s powerplay aggression (averaging 62 runs in 2025 ODIs) meets New Zealand’s spin choke, with Santner’s economy under 6 in T20Is. DRS controversies, like a debated catch in the 2025 semi-final, add drama. Emerging stars like Tristan Stubbs (strike rate 152 in 2025 T20Is) and Rachin Ravindra (averaging 45 in ODIs) signal a vibrant future.
Conclusion
The South Africa vs New Zealand cricket rivalry is a thrilling spectacle, weaving together moments of brilliance, heartbreak, and tactical genius. From South Africa’s 2024 Test sweep to New Zealand’s 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final triumph, this contest thrives on contrasts—pace versus spin, power versus precision. Stars like Kagiso Rabada and Kane Williamson continue to dazzle, while emerging talents like Tristan Stubbs and Rachin Ravindra promise more fireworks. Scorecards tell stories of Miller’s blazing centuries and Santner’s crafty spells, capturing the essence of this epic rivalry.
FAQs
Why is South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline a top cricket rivalry?
This rivalry captivates with its balance of power and skill, pitting South Africa’s fiery pace attack against New Zealand’s resilient batting and spin. Iconic moments like South Africa’s 2024 Test sweep and New Zealand’s 2025 Champions Trophy win, driven by stars like Rabada and Williamson, fuel its intensity.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
A cricket scorecard lists runs, wickets, overs, and key stats like batting and bowling figures. For example, “311/9 (49.5)” means 311 runs for 9 wickets in 49.5 overs. It includes toss, result, and Player of the Match, offering insights into match flow and strategies.
What are the most memorable moments in this rivalry?
Highlights include South Africa’s 281-run Test win in 2024, led by Neil Brand’s 6/119, and New Zealand’s 51-run victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final, powered by Kane Williamson’s 115. The 2021 T20 World Cup match, with Nortje’s 3/8, was a thriller.
Has South Africa won recently against New Zealand?
Yes, South Africa swept the 2024 Test series 2-0, with wins in Mount Maunganui and Hamilton, showcasing their dominance in the longer format.
Who are the emerging players in 2025?
South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs, with his explosive T20I batting, and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, with his all-round prowess, are rising stars, shining in the 2025 Champions Trophy and bilateral series.
