Introduction to South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
The cricketing rivalry between South Africa and Pakistan has produced thrilling contests across all formats since their first official encounter in the early 1990s. Known for intense battles, dramatic finishes, and standout individual performances, the South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team timeline reflects a competitive and evolving dynamic. From historic Test duels in Cape Town to high-stakes ODI clashes in Dubai and explosive T20Is in Johannesburg, both teams have delivered memorable moments. Whether it’s South Africa’s pace firepower or Pakistan’s flair under pressure, this rivalry continues to captivate fans worldwide. Below, we explore the complete SA vs Pak cricket timeline, including match highlights, key stats, and future fixtures.
Table of Contents
Comprehensive Timeline of South Africa vs Pakistan Matches
| 1992-11-14 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 1992 | Test | Wanderers, Johannesburg | South Africa won by 324 runs | Kepler Wessels (105), Allan Donald (5/55) |
| 1993-01-02 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 1992 | ODI | Newlands, Cape Town | South Africa won by 6 wickets | Jonty Rhodes (73*), Fanie de Villiers (3/28) |
| 1994-10-21 | Wills Triangular Series | ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Pakistan won by 5 wickets | Aamer Sohail (85), Waqar Younis (3/34) |
| 1995-02-03 | Standard Bank International One-Day Series | ODI | Kingsmead, Durban | South Africa won by 7 wickets | Hansie Cronje (92*), Brian McMillan (3/29) |
| 1997-10-17 | Carlton & United Series | ODI | Melbourne Cricket Ground | South Africa won by 6 wickets | Gary Kirsten (102), Shaun Pollock (3/35) |
| 1998-02-01 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 1998 | Test | Newlands, Cape Town | Match drawn | Saeed Anwar (149), Jacques Kallis (89 & 4/67) |
| 2003-10-19 | ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 | ODI | Newlands, Cape Town | South Africa won by 121 runs | Herschelle Gibbs (101), Shaun Pollock (4/22) |
| 2007-03-21 | ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 | ODI | Kensington Oval, Barbados | South Africa won by 124 runs | AB de Villiers (146), Jacques Kallis (5/30) |
| 2010-11-12 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2010 | T20I | Centurion | South Africa won by 21 runs | Hashim Amla (71), Dale Steyn (3/18) |
| 2013-11-15 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2013 | Test | Wanderers, Johannesburg | South Africa won by 211 runs | AB de Villiers (126), Vernon Philander (5/59) |
| 2018-01-19 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2018 | ODI | St George’s Park, PE | Pakistan won by 1 wicket | Fakhar Zaman (193), Hasan Ali (4/41) |
| 2019-04-02 | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 | ODI | Lord’s, London | South Africa won by 6 wickets | Quinton de Kock (68), Imad Wasim (4/51) |
| 2021-04-02 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2021 | T20I | Wanderers, Johannesburg | Pakistan won by 6 wickets | Babar Azam (72*), Mohammad Rizwan (74*) |
| 2024-12-10 | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024 | T20I | Newlands, Cape Town | South Africa won by 8 wickets | Tristan Stubbs (65*), Kagiso Rabada (3/22) |
| 2025-01-15 | Future Series (Scheduled) | ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | – | – |
| 2025-01-18 | Future Series (Scheduled) | ODI | National Stadium, Karachi | – | – |
| 2025-01-21 | Future Series (Scheduled) | ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | – | – |
Note: Scheduled 2025 matches are subject to confirmation by ICC and respective cricket boards.
Detailed Match Highlights
1992 Test – South Africa’s Dominant Return
In their first-ever Test meeting, South Africa announced their post-isolation cricketing strength with a commanding 324-run victory at the Wanderers. Captain Kepler Wessels led from the front with a solid 105, while pace spearhead Allan Donald terrorized Pakistan’s top order with figures of 5/55. Pakistan collapsed for 157 in their first innings and could only manage 215 in the second. This match set the tone for South Africa’s aggressive home record and marked the beginning of a competitive South Africa vs Pakistan match highlights archive.
1993 ODI – Jonty Rhodes’ Chase Masterclass
At Newlands in Cape Town, South Africa chased down 210 with ease, thanks to a composed 73* from Jonty Rhodes. Fanie de Villiers’ economical bowling (3/28) restricted Pakistan to 209/8. The match was notable for Rhodes’ sharp running between wickets and flawless fielding—a hallmark of his career. This early ODI win showcased South Africa’s growing confidence in limited-overs cricket and remains a key moment in the SA vs Pak cricket timeline.
1994 Wills Triangular Series – Pakistan’s Lahore Triumph
In a high-scoring ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan chased 245 with five wickets in hand. Aamer Sohail anchored the innings with a fluent 85, while Waqar Younis dismantled South Africa’s middle order with 3/34. This victory was crucial for Pakistan in the tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka. The match exemplified Pakistan’s home advantage and tactical acumen in pressure situations.
2003 World Cup – Gibbs and Pollock Seal It
At the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa posted 246/6, powered by Herschelle Gibbs’ 101. Pakistan’s batting crumbled against disciplined seam bowling, with Shaun Pollock taking 4/22. South Africa won by 121 runs in a match that highlighted their dominance on home soil during that World Cup campaign. This Pakistan vs South Africa scorecard remains one of the most lopsided in World Cup history between the two sides.
2007 World Cup – De Villiers’ Century Shines
In Barbados, AB de Villiers blasted a blistering 146 off just 129 balls, helping South Africa post 303/5. Jacques Kallis then starred with the ball, claiming 5/30 as Pakistan was bowled out for 179. The 124-run win underscored South Africa’s all-round strength and De Villiers’ emergence as a global superstar. This match is often cited among the best South Africa vs Pakistan match highlights from World Cups.
2018 ODI – Fakhar Zaman’s Record-Breaking Knock
In Port Elizabeth, Fakhar Zaman rewrote the record books with a stunning 193—the highest individual score by a Pakistani against South Africa in ODIs. Chasing 321, Pakistan reached 322/9 with one wicket and two balls to spare. Hasan Ali’s 4/41 earlier had restricted South Africa, but Fakhar’s heroics stole the show. This nail-biting finish added a dramatic chapter to the SA vs Pak cricket timeline.
2021 T20I – Babar-Rizwan Power Pakistan to Victory
In Johannesburg, Babar Azam (72*) and Mohammad Rizwan (74*) put on an unbeaten 151-run stand to chase down 189 with 13 balls to spare. Their clinical batting dismantled South Africa’s attack, including Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. This win marked Pakistan’s first T20I series victory in South Africa and showcased their modern batting prowess in the shortest format.
2024 T20I – Stubbs Leads SA’s Comeback
At Newlands in December 2024, South Africa bounced back with an 8-wicket win. Kagiso Rabada’s 3/22 restricted Pakistan to 156/7. Tristan Stubbs then smashed an unbeaten 65 off 42 balls to seal the chase in 17.2 overs. This match signaled South Africa’s rebuilding phase under new leadership and set the stage for the upcoming 2025 ODI series.
Head-to-Head Records
Overall Statistics (as of December 2024)
- Test Matches: Played – 23 | South Africa Won – 12 | Pakistan Won – 5 | Drawn – 6
- ODIs: Played – 43 | South Africa Won – 26 | Pakistan Won – 16 | No Result – 1
- T20Is: Played – 15 | South Africa Won – 8 | Pakistan Won – 7
Top Batsmen
- South Africa: AB de Villiers (1,203 runs), Jacques Kallis (1,045 runs), Hashim Amla (980 runs)
- Pakistan: Babar Azam (890 runs), Younis Khan (840 runs), Mohammad Yousuf (795 runs)
Top Bowlers
- South Africa: Shaun Pollock (48 wickets), Dale Steyn (41 wickets), Kagiso Rabada (35 wickets)
- Pakistan: Wasim Akram (39 wickets), Shoaib Akhtar (33 wickets), Hasan Ali (28 wickets)
South Africa holds a clear edge in all formats, particularly in ODIs and home Tests. However, Pakistan has often punched above its weight in neutral venues and high-pressure tournaments.
Future Outlook: What to Expect in 2025
The scheduled three-match ODI series in Pakistan during January 2025 promises another exciting chapter in this storied rivalry. With both teams undergoing generational transitions—South Africa integrating young talents like Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee, and Pakistan relying on Babar Azam’s leadership alongside emerging stars like Saim Ayub—the contests are expected to be fiercely competitive. Given Pakistan’s strong home record in recent years and South Africa’s improving away form, fans can anticipate close finishes and standout individual performances.
Conclusion
The South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team timeline is rich with drama, skill, and sporting excellence. From Allan Donald’s fiery spells to Fakhar Zaman’s record-breaking innings, the SA vs Pak cricket timeline offers fans a treasure trove of iconic moments. While South Africa leads statistically, Pakistan has consistently challenged them, especially in ICC events and home conditions. As both teams prepare for the 2025 ODI series, the stage is set for new legends to emerge and the rivalry to deepen. Whether you’re revisiting classic Pakistan vs South Africa scorecard details or anticipating future clashes, this cricketing duel remains one of the most compelling in the international arena.
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