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The rivalry between the England cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team is one of the longest and most competitive contests in international cricket. Their history stretches across Test, One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket, producing hundreds of matches and numerous memorable performances. In men’s international cricket, the two teams have met 156 times in Tests, 79 times in ODIs and 30 times in T20Is according to records available through September 2026. England have the stronger Test record, while South Africa have won more of their ODI and T20I meetings. The rivalry has featured legendary players from different generations, including Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and James Anderson. Recent encounters have continued the competitive pattern. In the 2025 ODI series in England, South Africa won the series 2-1 despite England producing a record 342-run victory in the third match. The 2025 T20I series finished 1-1 after the third match was abandoned because of rain.
England Vs South Africa Overall Head To Head Record
England and South Africa have a substantial international head-to-head history across all three men’s formats. Test cricket has produced the largest number of meetings, with 156 matches recorded. England have won 66 Tests, South Africa have won 35, and 55 have ended in draws. The ODI record is much closer, with South Africa holding an advantage. The two teams have played 79 ODIs, with South Africa winning 37 and England winning 31. The remaining matches include ties and no-results. In T20Is, South Africa have a narrow advantage, winning 14 of 30 matches compared with England’s 13, while one match ended without a result.
| Format | Matches | England Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws or No Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 156 | 66 | 35 | 55 draws |
| ODIs | 79 | 31 | 37 | 11 other results |
| T20Is | 30 | 13 | 14 | 3 no results |
| Total | 265 | 110 | 86 | 69 |
The overall numbers show why this fixture remains statistically interesting. England have traditionally performed strongly in the longer format, while South Africa have enjoyed greater success in the limited-overs rivalry. Different eras and playing conditions have also influenced the results, making format-by-format analysis more meaningful than relying only on the combined record.
England Vs South Africa Test Statistics
Test cricket represents the longest chapter of the England and South Africa rivalry. The teams have played 156 men’s Tests, with England recording 66 victories and South Africa winning 35. Fifty-five matches have ended in draws. England’s Test advantage has been built over many generations, although South Africa have produced several dominant periods and memorable series victories.
The large number of drawn matches reflects the historical importance of long-form cricket in this rivalry. Earlier eras often featured matches played on pitches and under conditions that allowed games to extend for several days without producing a result. Modern Test cricket has generally produced more decisive contests, particularly as teams have adopted more aggressive batting and bowling approaches.
| Test Head To Head | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 156 |
| England wins | 66 |
| South Africa wins | 35 |
| Draws | 55 |
| England win percentage | Approximately 42.3% |
| South Africa win percentage | Approximately 22.4% |
Several outstanding Test cricketers have shaped this contest. South Africa have produced players such as Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn, while England’s leading contributors have included Joe Root, Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes. Their performances have contributed significantly to the statistical history of the fixture.
England’s larger number of Test victories does not mean every era followed the same pattern. South Africa have repeatedly challenged England in both countries, with fast bowlers and technically strong top-order batters playing important roles.
England Vs South Africa ODI Statistics
The ODI rivalry is considerably closer than the Test record. The two sides have played 79 men’s ODIs, with South Africa winning 37 and England winning 31. Several matches have ended without a winner because of ties or no-results. South Africa’s narrow advantage is particularly significant because both teams have been among the strongest limited-overs sides of their respective generations.
| ODI Head To Head | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 79 |
| England wins | 31 |
| South Africa wins | 37 |
| Ties or no results | 11 |
| South Africa lead | 6 wins |
Recent ODI meetings have provided some of the most dramatic results in the rivalry. In September 2025, South Africa won the three-match ODI series 2-1. They won the opening match by seven wickets and the second by five runs before England responded with an enormous 342-run victory in the third ODI. England scored 414 for 5, while South Africa were dismissed for 72. Joe Root and Jacob Bethell scored centuries, while Jofra Archer took four wickets for 18 runs. The 342-run margin was a record for an ODI victory by runs.
The series demonstrated the contrasting capabilities of the two sides. South Africa were able to win two closely contested games, while England produced an exceptionally high-scoring performance in the final match. This balance is reflected in their overall ODI statistics.
England Vs South Africa T20I Statistics
The T20I rivalry is the closest of the three major men’s formats. England and South Africa have played 30 T20Is, with South Africa winning 14 and England winning 13. Three matches have failed to produce a result. The narrow difference shows how competitive the teams have been in the shortest international format.
| T20I Head To Head | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 30 |
| England wins | 13 |
| South Africa wins | 14 |
| No results | 3 |
| Ties | 0 |
The 2025 T20I series was another example of the rivalry’s competitiveness. South Africa won the opening match by 14 runs under the DLS method. England then responded strongly in Manchester, scoring 304 for 2 and defeating South Africa by 146 runs. Phil Salt played a major role with an unbeaten 141. The third match at Trent Bridge was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain, leaving the series tied 1-1.
The T20I meetings have frequently featured aggressive batting and specialist bowling. Because the format gives less margin for error, a short period of exceptional batting or bowling can determine the result.
Key Players And Individual Performances
The England versus South Africa rivalry has featured some of the most accomplished cricketers in international history. South Africa’s batting tradition has included Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, while England have relied on players such as Joe Root, Alastair Cook, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler across different periods.
Bowling has also been central to the rivalry. South Africa have produced fast bowlers including Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. England’s pace-bowling history includes James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer. Spin bowlers have also played important roles depending on conditions and venue.
| Area | Notable England Players | Notable South Africa Players |
|---|---|---|
| Test batting | Joe Root, Alastair Cook | Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla |
| Limited-overs batting | Jos Buttler, Joe Root | AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock |
| Fast bowling | James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer | Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel |
| All-round ability | Ben Stokes | Jacques Kallis |
| Modern leadership | Ben Stokes, Harry Brook | Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram |
Recent matches have continued to introduce new names into the statistical record. In the third ODI of the 2025 series, Joe Root scored 100 from 96 deliveries and Jacob Bethell made 110 from 82 balls. Jofra Archer’s four-wicket performance helped England bowl South Africa out for 72.
Recent Series And Future Schedule
The most recent completed men’s white-ball series between England and South Africa took place in September 2025. South Africa won the ODI series 2-1, while the T20I series finished 1-1 after the final match was abandoned. These results added another close chapter to an already extensive international rivalry.
The two nations are also scheduled to meet in South Africa during England’s 2026-27 winter tour. According to the England and Wales Cricket Board, the tour includes three Tests beginning on 17 December 2026 and three ODIs beginning on 10 January 2027. The originally planned T20I series was removed from the announced schedule because of scheduling conflicts, with the boards exploring opportunities to reschedule it.
| Upcoming Series | Matches | Scheduled Period |
|---|---|---|
| Test series in South Africa | 3 | December 2026 to January 2027 |
| ODI series in South Africa | 3 | January 2027 |
| T20I series | Not currently scheduled | To be explored |
The upcoming Test series will add to an already extensive record of 156 Test meetings. It will also provide another opportunity for the two teams to develop their modern head-to-head statistics.
Conclusion
The England cricket team versus South Africa national cricket team rivalry has produced a rich statistical history across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. England lead the Test record with 66 wins from 156 matches, while South Africa have the advantage in ODIs and T20Is with 37 ODI wins and 14 T20I wins. Recent series have remained competitive, with South Africa winning the 2025 ODI series 2-1 and the 2025 T20I series ending 1-1. The scheduled 2026-27 Test and ODI tour in South Africa will add further matches to one of international cricket’s most established rivalries.
FAQs
1. How many Tests have England and South Africa played?
England and South Africa have played 156 men’s Test matches. England have won 66, South Africa have won 35, and 55 matches have ended in draws.
2. Who has won more ODIs between England and South Africa?
South Africa have won more men’s ODIs in the head-to-head record. They have 37 wins compared with England’s 31 from 79 matches. The remaining matches include ties and no-results.
3. Who has won more T20Is between England and South Africa?
South Africa have a narrow advantage in men’s T20Is, with 14 wins compared with England’s 13 from 30 matches. Three matches have ended without a result.
4. What happened in the latest England versus South Africa ODI series?
South Africa won the three-match ODI series in England in September 2025 by a 2-1 margin. South Africa won the first two matches before England won the third ODI by 342 runs.
5. When will England and South Africa next play a Test series?
England are scheduled to tour South Africa for a three-match Test series beginning on 17 December 2026. The second Test is scheduled for 26 December and the third for 3 January 2027.
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