When two cricketing giants collide, history is written not just in the scorebooks but in the hearts of millions. The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team has evolved into one of the sport’s most compelling narratives. Marked by intense battles, iconic performances, and moments of high drama, the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline is a rich tapestry of competition, respect, and resilience.
Since 1992, when the two sides first crossed paths shortly after the new South African team rose out of isolation back into international cricket, the two sides have faced each other across all formats and parts of the world. From thrilling ODIs and nail-biting T20s to tough and gritty Test match battles, the two have written their story together, exhibiting exciting fast bowling, a century doggedly resisted by a provider, or a last-ball run ending that has kept everyone on the edge of their seat, regardless of the format of the game.
Whether you are a die-hard cricket fan or tiptoeing into the exciting world of this breathtaking fixture, we will take you on a journey through the history of Pakistan vs South Africa, a story of passion, pride, and scintillating cricket.
Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline (1992 – 2025)
1990s to 2000s: Initial Clashes
1991-1992 Benson & Hedges Cup: Pakistan and South Africa first encountered each other on the cricket ground for an ODI match during the 1992 Benson & Hedges Cup. They played the 22nd match of the competition, and South Africa won the game by 20 runs using the D/L method. Andrew Hudson (54), Hansie Cronje (47*), Mark Rushmere (35), and Brian McMillan (33) contributed significantly to score a decent total of 211. Pakistan, guided by Inzamam-ul-Haq (48), were sent back to the pavilion at 173.
1992-1993 Total International Series: This was an iconic match for Pakistan as they won their first game against South Africa in Durban. Invited to bat first, Pakistan scored 208/6 in 50 overs, while restricting the Proteas to 198. Waqar Younis was named player of the match for his 5-wicket haul.
1994-1995 South Africa v Pakistan: The two teams first played a Test match on 19th January, 1995 in Johannesburg. South Africa batted first and produced 460 & 259/7 dec, thanks to Brian McMillan’s knock of 113 in the first innings, and Daryll Cullinan’s unbeaten knock of 69 not out in the second innings. Pakistan chased the target; however, they were dismissed for 230 & 165.
1994-1995 Mandela Trophy: The two teams battled in the finals of the trophy. South Africa won the tournament by winning the first final by 37 runs and the second by 157 runs. Daryll Cullinan led the batting lineup with 64 runs, while Eric Simons took the responsibility of sacking Pakistani batters by taking 4 wickets. In the second final, Michael Rindel guided his side to victory with 106, closely supported by Gary Kirsten (87). Fanie De Villiers and Allan Donald took 3 wickets each, collapsing the Pakistani lineups.
1996-1997 KCA Centenary Tournament: On 6th October, 1996, the Shaheens met the Proteas in Nairobi to play the final of the tournament. South Africa won the game by 7 wickets, as they completed the run chase of 204 effortlessly in 39.2 overs, at the loss of just 3 wickets. Gary Kirsten played an undefeated knock of 118 to guide the team to victory.
1997-1998 Pakistan v South Africa: The Proteas played a 3-match Test series with the Men in Green and won it 1-0 in 1997-98. While the first and the second matches were drawn, South Africa prevailed in the third match by 53 runs. This match was a great achievement for the Proteas as defeating Pakistan on their soil was tough for the visitors. Gary Kirsten scored an unbeaten century in the first innings to give a decent start to his side. In the second innings, Pat Symcox scored 55 to add numbers to South Africa’s total. He also claimed 3 wickets by conceding just 8 runs, and was named player of the match.
1997-1998 Standard Bank International: Pakistan met South Africa in Cape Town on 23rd April, 1998, for the final of the series. Pakistan batted first and displayed a poor batting performance by collecting just 114 runs. South Africa pulled off the run chase in 27.4 overs, losing just 1 wicket. Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis stand in to bat for a partnership of 61 runs to claim victory.
1999-2000 Coca-Cola Cup: Pakistan won the tournament in Sharjah by 16 runs to become the world champions. The Shaheens won the toss and chose to bat, gathering a decent total of 263, whereas they restricted the Proteas to 247. Waqar Younis was named player of the match for taking 4 wickets.
2000-2001 Godrej Singapore Challenge: South Africa won the final of the championship by 93 runs using the D/L method. The rain led the Proteas’ innings to be reduced to 35 overs, and they scored 197 at the loss of 7 wickets. However, Pakistan was bundled out at 121.
2006-2007 South Africa v Pakistan: The Shaheens and the Proteas battled the first Twenty20 internationals in Johannesburg, where South Africa won by 10 wickets. Pakistan scored 129 in 20 overs, losing 8 wickets. Whereas Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman formed a partnership of 132 runs to claim a 10-wicket victory for South Africa.
2007-2008 Pakistan v South Africa: Both teams met in the 1st Test of the series in Karachi. South Africa won the match by 160 runs, thanks to Jacques Kallis, who scored 155 in the first innings and a century in the second.
2009 ICC World Twenty20: In Nottingham, the two teams contested in the 1st semi-final of the 2009 T20 World Cup. Pakistan batted first and gathered 149, with 4 wickets down. They constrained South Africa to 142 in 20 overs, losing 8 wickets, prevailing by 7 runs.
2010s to Recent Encounters
2013-2014 Pakistan v South Africa: A 5-match ODI series was held in the UAE between Pakistan and South Africa. The Proteas won the series 4-1. They won the 1st game by 1 run, the 3rd game by 68 runs, the 4th by 28 runs, and the 5th by 117 runs. Pakistan won the 2nd by 66 runs.
2013-2014 South Africa v Pakistan: In the 2nd match of the series, Pakistan won by 1 run, thanks to Ahmed Shehzad, who scored a century to achieve a decent total of 262. The South African bowlers tried their best to ensure the defeat of the Pakistani cricketers by preventing them from achieving the total of 261, but eventually failed.
2018-2019 South Africa v Pakistan: In the third match of the T20I series, Pakistan defeated South Africa by 27 runs. They cumulated 168 in the first innings. Chris Morris scored an undefeated 55 to complete the run chase; however, Pakistani bowlers ensured the demolition of the African batters.
2024-2025 South Africa v Pakistan: In the 2-match T20I series, South Africa whitewashed Pakistan by winning the first game by 7 wickets and the second by 11 runs. In the 1st match, Reeza Hendricks’ innings of 117 off 63 balls helped South Africa complete the run chase smoothly. In the 2nd game, David Miller claimed 4 wickets by conceding just 21 runs, and was named player of the match.
2024-2025 South Africa v Pakistan: The 2-game Test series was held on South African soil, where in the first match, South Africa won by 2 wickets. The Shaheens batted first and scored 211 & 237. On the other hand, South Africa played an innings of 301 & 150 to claim a 2-wicket victory. In the 2nd match, Ryan Rickelton scored his career high of 259 in the first innings to clinch a 10-wicket win for his side.
Pakistan and South Africa have generally had a competitive and fluctuating cricket rivalry. It can’t be said that a particular team has an upper hand in this rivalry. Despite South Africa consistently ranking higher than Pakistan in the ICC Rankings. However, Pakistan’s strong performance when it mattered, in the past and historically, coupled with its recent upward trajectory, indicated that Pakistan can defeat anyone on its day. Both teams angled towards youth-based modernization should prove compelling matchups in what could prove to be tough-to-predict outcomes moving forward. As the game modernizes, so too will this rivalry continue to develop and showcase the competitive whirligig of cricket.
Recent Series Match Results- SA vs PAK, 2 Tests , 3 ODIs , 3 T20s . Dec 10 – Jan 07
South Africa vs Pakistan Series Schedule 2024–25
South Africa vs Pakistan Series Schedule 2024–25
Date
Match Details
Venue
Result
Time (IST)
Dec 10, Tue
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 1st T20I
Kingsmead, Durban
South Africa won by 11 runs
9:30 PM
Dec 13, Fri
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 2nd T20I
SuperSport Park, Centurion
South Africa won by 7 wkts
9:30 PM
Dec 14, Sat
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 3rd T20I
The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
–
9:30 PM
Dec 17, Tue
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 1st ODI
Boland Park, Paarl
Pakistan won by 3 wkts
5:30 PM
Dec 19, Thu
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 2nd ODI
Newlands, Cape Town
Pakistan won by 81 runs
5:30 PM
Dec 22, Sun
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 3rd ODI
The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS Method)
5:30 PM
Dec 26, Thu – Dec 30, Mon
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 1st Test
SuperSport Park, Centurion
South Africa won by 2 wkts
1:30 PM
Jan 03, Fri – Jan 07, Tue
SOUTH AFRICA vs PAKISTAN, 2nd Test
Newlands, Cape Town
South Africa won by 10 wkts
2:00 PM
Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2024/25 – Teams & Squads
