South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline

The South Africa National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team have had a long history of competition. Their rivalry has largely revolved around the dominance of South Africa in Test and ODI cricket. The South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline reveals the games, key performances, individual performances, memorable games, near misses, last-minute wins, and, of course, on-field drama. South Africa has performed much better than New Zealand, especially in bilateral series. New Zealand has won, but only a few good matches over the years. The timeline chronicles the key matches, series, and turning points that help frame the contest on the field from the early tours to World Cup encounters. It provides a more detailed look at the rise of this competition and the historical edge the Proteas have had in one of cricket’s quieter yet interesting rivalries.

South Africa vs New Zealand Early Encounters: 1930s to 1960s

1931-1932 New Zealand vs South Africa: The Proteas clean-swept the Kiwis in their first Test encounter. They won the first match played in Christchurch in 1932 by an innings and 12 runs. In the second Test played in Wellington, South Africa won by 8 wickets, highlighting their powerful bowling and impressive stunt with he bat.

1952-1953 New Zealand vs South Africa: The two teams again met after two decades on the soil of New Zealand, where South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 180 runs, and the second game concluded in a draw. Derrick McGlew scored his career high of 255 not out in South Africa’s first innings, contributing significantly to South Africa’s total of 524.

1953-1954 South Africa vs New Zealand: The Kiwis and the Proteas encountered each other in a 5-match Test series in South Africa. While the 3rd Test was a draw, the remaining 4 matches went in favor of South Africa.

1961-1962 South Africa vs New Zealand: The series proved iconic for New Zealanders, as they won their first Test match against the Proteas. They won the 3rd Test of the series by 72 runs. Not only this, they leveled up the series 2-2. While the second match was a draw, South Africa won the 1st and 4th games, and New Zealand won the 2nd and 5th matches. This series highlighted the growing strength of the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team.

South Africa vs New Zealand 1990s to 2000s: The Comeback of South Africa to International Cricket

1991-1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup: South Africa played its first One Day Internationals against New Zealand in the 10th match of the 1991-1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup. South Africa batted first and scored 190 in the first innings at the loss of 7 wickets. New Zealand won the game by 7 wickets by completing the run chase in 34.3 overs.

1998-1999 New Zealand vs South Africa: South Africa won the 7-match series 3-2. The 4th and 7th matches concluded without a result, while South Africa won the second, fifth, and sixth matches, leaving the Kiwis winning the first and third games. Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Hansie Cronje, Lance Klusener, Daryll Cullinan, Allan Donald, and Shaun Pollock were key performers for the Proteas. For the Black Caps, Nathan Astle, Roger Twose, Geoffrey Allott, Chris Harris, and Dion Nash were notable players.

2003-2004 New Zealand vs South Africa: New Zealand won the 6-match ODI series 5-1. This was the Black Caps’ first series win against the Proteas. South Africa prevailed in the first game by 5 wickets, thanks to Graeme Smith’s knock of 72. Stephen Fleming’s innings of 108 in the second game led the Kiwis to a 5-wicket victory. Scott Styris smashed two wickets in the third match, preventing Graeme Smith from scoring a half-century and stopping Herschelle Gibbs to 69. In the fourth game, Hamish Marshall scored 74 to win his side a 6-wicket victory. In the fifth match, New Zealand won by 2 runs using the D/L method. Michael Papps played an innings of 92 to hand a 5-wicket defeat for the Proteas.

2005-2006 South Africa vs New Zealand: The first T20 encounter between South Africa and New Zealand was in 2005. The Proteas batted first and accumulated 133 runs, however, the Balck Caps completed the run chase smoothly in 18 overs, at the loss of 5 wickets.

2007-2008 South Africa vs New Zealand: South Africa whitewashed the Black Caps in the 2-match Test series at their home. They triumphed in the first match by 358 runs, and clinched victory in the second by an innings and 59 runs. Hashim Amla (176) and Jacques Kallis (186) were the top run scorers in the first game, while Dale Steyn took a 5-wicket haul in each innings. In the second game as well, Dale Steyn took 4 and 6 wickets respectively, in the first and second innings of New Zealand. Hashim Amla (103) and Jacques Kallis (131) were again top run-getters for the Kiwis.

2009 ICC World Twenty20: South Africa secured a 1-run win in the 10th Match of the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. The Proteas set foot on the ground first and were dismissed for 128, however, they were able to bundle out South Africa for 127, despite Brendon McCullum’s innings of 57.

2009-2010 ICC Champions Trophy: The two teams met at SuperSport Park for the 3rd match of the 2009-10 Champions Trophy. Invited to bat first, New Zealand gathered 214, with weighty contributions from Ross Taylor (72). South Africa completed the run chase effortlessly, thanks to AB de Villiers’ unbeaten knock of 70. Wayne Parnell won the man of the match for taking 5 crucial wickets, dismissing the leading Kiwi batters.

South Africa vs New Zealand 2010s to Recent Encounters

2011 ICC World Cup: South Africa and New Zealand met for the 3rd Quarter-Final of the World Cup in Dhaka. New Zealand won the game by 49 runs, thanks to Jacob Oram, who struck 4 wickets, preventing the Proteas’ total to 172. Earlier, in the first innings, the Kiwis scored 221, thanks to contributions made by Jesse Ryder (83).

2015 ICC World Cup: In the 1st Semi-Final of the 2015 World Cup, the two teams assembled in Auckland on 24th March, 2015. South Africa posted 281 in 43 overs, losing 5 wickets. New Zealand pulled off the run chase of 299, with 6 wickets down, hence securing the win by 4 wickets using the D/L method. Grant Elliott played a majestic innings of 84 not out, with significant support from Brendon McCullum (59).

2021-2022 New Zealand vs South Africa: New Zealand won the first game of the series by an innings and 276 runs, thanks to Matt Henry, who took 7 and 2 wickets in the first and second innings of the Proteas, keeping their total under constraint. Tim Southee helped with 5 wickets in the second innings. Not only this, but Matt Henry also played a cameo in New Zealand’s first innings by scoring an unbeaten 58. However, South Africa leveled up the series by securing a 198-run win in game 2. The Proteas produced 364 & 354/9, while limiting the Black Caps to 293 & 227. Sarel Erwee (108) and Kyle Verreynne (136) were top run-getters for the Proteas. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj took 3 wickets each in the second innings, preventing New Zealand from completing the run chase.

2024-2025 ICC Champions Trophy: In the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy, New Zealand faced South Africa in Lahore and defeated them by 50 runs. Led by Rachin Ravindra (108) and with close support from Kane Williamson (102), New Zealand produced a total of 362, losing 6 wickets. They managed to prevent South Africa at 312, despite a century from David Miller, thanks to Mitchell Santner, who dismissed Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen.

As the cricketing world looks ahead to the next chapter in the South Africa vs New Zealand saga, anticipation is high. With both teams undergoing generational transitions, the stage is set for a potentially more balanced rivalry. New Zealand, bolstered by recent global tournament experience and a gritty, disciplined core, will aim to overturn decades of South African dominance. Meanwhile, the Proteas, still boasting explosive talent and depth, are eager to reassert their authority and continue their historical superiority.

Their upcoming encounters—whether in bilateral series or ICC tournaments—carry more than just points; they’re opportunities to reshape the narrative. Can the Black Caps close the gap? Or will the Proteas maintain their grip on this matchup? One thing is certain: every game between these two sides now holds greater weight, as the past sets the tone and the future promises a fierce and evolving rivalry.

South Africa vs New Zealand Early Encounters: 1930s to 1960s

South Africa vs New Zealand 1990s to 2000s: The Comeback of South Africa to International Cricket

South Africa vs New Zealand 2010s to Recent Encounters

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