The England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline is one of the oldest and most competitive rivalries in international cricket. The two nations have played each other in Test cricket since the 19th century and have also produced memorable ODI and T20I contests.
South Africa became the third Test-playing nation in 1889, with its first Test played against England at St George’s Park. England won that historic match by eight wickets.
More than a century later, the rivalry has expanded across all three formats. England and South Africa have met in World Cups, Champions Trophy tournaments, bilateral Test series, ODIs and T20Is.
Some of the most memorable moments include the controversial 1992 World Cup semi-final, South Africa’s 122-run victory over England in the 1999 World Cup, England’s 2019 World Cup victory at The Oval, South Africa’s 229-run win in the 2023 World Cup and the closely contested 2025 white-ball series.
England vs South Africa Timeline: Quick Overview
| Year | Competition/Series | Major Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1889 | Test cricket | England won South Africa’s first Test by 8 wickets |
| 1909 | Test cricket | South Africa participated in its first official Test tour of England |
| 1961 | International cricket | South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth and lost ICC membership |
| 1992 | World Cup semi-final | England won by 19 runs |
| 1998 | Champions Trophy | South Africa won the inaugural tournament |
| 1999 | World Cup | South Africa won by 122 runs |
| 2003 | World Cup | England won by 2 wickets |
| 2008 | Test series | South Africa won 2-1 in England |
| 2012 | Test series | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 2015 | Test series | England won 3-2 |
| 2017 | T20I series | England won 2-1 |
| 2019 | World Cup | England won by 104 runs |
| 2019-20 | Test series | South Africa won 3-1 |
| 2022 | Test series | England won 2-1 |
| 2023 | World Cup | South Africa won by 229 runs |
| 2025 | ODI series | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 2025 | T20I series | Series drawn 1-1 |
| 2026-27 | Future Test series | Three Tests scheduled in South Africa |
The 2026-27 series is scheduled to begin in December 2026, with three Tests followed by three ODIs in January 2027.
1889: The Beginning of the England vs South Africa Test Rivalry
The history of the England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline begins in 1889.
South Africa became the third nation to play Test cricket, following England and Australia.
The first Test between South Africa and England took place at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha.
South Africa were still developing as an international side, while England already had a long-established cricket tradition.
England won the match by eight wickets.
The match was historically important beyond the result because it established South Africa as a Test-playing nation.
1907: South Africa Tour England for Official Tests
South Africa’s early international cricket continued to develop.
The 1907 tour of England was particularly significant because it was the first South African tour to England to include officially recognized Test matches.
The two nations were becoming regular opponents, although their cricket schedules were interrupted by the broader political and sporting developments of the first half of the 20th century.
The 1909 formation of the Imperial Cricket Conference also included England, Australia and South Africa among its founding members.
1961: South Africa Leave the Commonwealth
A major interruption came in 1961.
South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth, which meant it was no longer eligible for ICC membership under the rules then in place.
As a result, South Africa’s international cricket became isolated for several decades.
The period was not simply a sporting break. Political developments surrounding apartheid had a major effect on South Africa’s international sporting participation.
South Africa would eventually return to international cricket in the early 1990s.
1992: The Famous World Cup Semi-final
One of the most important moments in the rivalry came when South Africa returned to the Cricket World Cup in 1992.
The team reached the semi-final against England in Sydney.
England batted first and posted a competitive total.
South Africa appeared capable of chasing it. With 13 balls remaining, South Africa needed 22 runs.
Rain interrupted the match.
The target calculation used the rain rule of the time, and South Africa’s requirement became 22 runs from just one delivery.
England won by 19 runs.
The match became one of the most controversial finishes in World Cup history and later contributed to the development of the Duckworth-Lewis method for rain-affected matches.
The result also established the England-South Africa World Cup rivalry as one capable of producing extraordinary drama.
1998: South Africa Win the Champions Trophy
South Africa’s return to international cricket eventually produced major tournament success.
In 1998, South Africa won the inaugural ICC Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC KnockOut tournament.
The competition became the country’s first major international limited-overs title.
England and South Africa had already established a strong ODI rivalry by this period. An ICC statistical review recorded their first three Champions Trophy meetings as producing a 2-1 advantage for South Africa.
1999: South Africa Dominate England at the World Cup
The 1999 World Cup was another important chapter.
England hosted the tournament, and South Africa faced the hosts at The Oval.
South Africa produced an impressive performance.
Herschelle Gibbs scored a half-century, while Allan Donald took 4/17.
South Africa bowled England out and won by 122 runs.
The victory was particularly notable because it came at the home of English cricket during a World Cup. ICC records note that South Africa had won their first three matches of the tournament after defeating England.
South Africa ultimately reached the semi-finals of the tournament, where they suffered the famous tied finish against Australia.
2003: England Win a Close World Cup Match
The two sides met again during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
This time England produced a dramatic result.
England chased successfully and won by two wickets.
The match was part of a tournament in which South Africa were under considerable pressure as the hosts.
South Africa ultimately failed to reach the knockout stage.
2008: South Africa Win a Test Series in England
The rivalry became increasingly competitive in Test cricket during the 2000s.
South Africa toured England in 2008 for a four-Test series.
South Africa won the series 2-1.
The victory was significant because South Africa had become one of the strongest Test teams in world cricket.
Players such as Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini formed the core of a powerful South African side.
England, meanwhile, were entering a new era under captaincy changes and the development of players who would later become central to the team.
2012: South Africa Win 2-0 in England
The 2012 Test series was another major South African success.
South Africa won the three-match series 2-0.
The visitors dominated key moments throughout the series and eventually moved above England at the top of the Test rankings.
The Lord’s Test was particularly important because South Africa produced a comprehensive victory.
The series highlighted the strength of South Africa’s pace attack and experienced batting lineup.
2013: Champions Trophy Semi-final
England and South Africa also met in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
The tournament was hosted in England and Wales.
South Africa reached the semi-final against England at The Oval.
England won the match by seven wickets and progressed to the final.
It was another significant knockout encounter between the teams.
The ICC’s historical statistics recorded that South Africa had won two of the sides’ first three Champions Trophy meetings before the 2013 tournament.
2015: England Win a Five-Test Series
The 2015-16 South Africa tour of England produced a highly competitive four-Test series.
England won the series 2-1, with one match drawn.
The series featured several leading players from both teams.
England’s batting included Joe Root, Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes, while South Africa were led by Hashim Amla and possessed a strong pace attack.
The result represented an important Test success for England against one of the world’s leading sides.
2017: England Win the T20I Series
The rivalry became increasingly significant in T20 cricket.
England hosted South Africa for a three-match T20I series in 2017.
England won the series 2-1.
The contests featured several established white-ball players, including Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, AB de Villiers and David Miller.
The series helped establish England-South Africa as an increasingly regular T20I fixture.
2019: England Win the World Cup Opener
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup began with England against South Africa at The Oval.
England entered the tournament as one of the leading contenders.
The hosts produced a strong performance and won by 104 runs.
Ben Stokes played an important all-round role, while Jofra Archer and England’s bowling attack kept South Africa under pressure.
The match was significant because England went on to win their first men’s Cricket World Cup title later in the tournament.
ICC’s official schedule confirmed England and South Africa as the opening fixture of the 2019 World Cup.
2019-20: South Africa Win the Test Series
Later in 2019, England toured South Africa for a four-Test series.
South Africa won the opening Test at Centurion.
The hosts ultimately won the series 3-1.
The Centurion victory was particularly notable for South Africa’s fast bowling.
Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander played important roles as England were bowled out for 181 in their first innings and eventually lost by 107 runs.
The series demonstrated the contrast between England’s white-ball success in 2019 and South Africa’s strength in the Test format.
2022: England Make a Comeback in the Test Series
England and South Africa met again in England in 2022 for a three-Test series.
South Africa won the opening Test at Lord’s by an innings and 12 runs.
The Proteas produced a commanding bowling performance, with England struggling to cope with the visitors’ pace attack.
England responded in the second Test at Manchester.
The series was then decided at The Oval.
England won the third Test and completed a 2-1 series victory.
The final Test lasted only 151.3 overs, making it one of the shortest completed men’s Tests played in England. England needed just 33 runs on the fifth morning and completed the chase quickly.
2023: South Africa Produce a 229-Run World Cup Victory
The 2023 Cricket World Cup produced one of the biggest victories in the modern England-South Africa rivalry.
The match was played at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
South Africa batted first and scored an enormous 399.
England’s chase collapsed against South Africa’s pace attack.
The defending champions were bowled out for only 170.
South Africa won by 229 runs.
Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen were among the main wicket-takers.
The result was particularly significant because England had entered the tournament as defending champions.
South Africa’s victory gave their campaign a major boost after an earlier shock defeat to the Netherlands.
2025: South Africa Win the ODI Series in England
England and South Africa met again during England’s 2025 home summer.
The teams played three ODIs.
South Africa won the first ODI at Headingley by seven wickets.
The Proteas then won the second ODI at Lord’s by five runs.
England avoided a clean sweep in the third ODI at Southampton with a huge victory.
England scored 414/5, while South Africa were bowled out for 72.
England won the match by 342 runs.
South Africa nevertheless won the series 2-1.
The series was part of an important preparation period before the next major ICC tournaments.
2025: T20I Series Ends 1-1
The teams also played three T20Is during the same tour.
South Africa won the first match in Cardiff by 14 runs under the DLS method after rain reduced the contest.
England responded emphatically in Manchester.
England scored 304/2, one of their highest T20I totals, before dismissing South Africa for 158.
England won by 146 runs.
The third T20I at Trent Bridge was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of weather.
The series therefore finished 1-1.
2026: The Rivalry Moves Toward Another Test Series
As of September 2026, the next major England-South Africa men’s Test series is scheduled for South Africa’s 2026-27 home season.
The three-Test series will begin on 17 December 2026 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The second Test is scheduled for 26-30 December at SuperSport Park in Centurion, while the third Test will take place at Newlands in Cape Town from 3-7 January 2027.
Three ODIs are then scheduled for January 2027.
Therefore, as of September 25, 2026, those matches are future fixtures rather than completed results and should not be included as historical wins or losses.
England vs South Africa World Cup History
World Cups have produced some of the rivalry’s most memorable matches.
1992 World Cup Semi-final
England won a rain-affected semi-final by 19 runs.
The match became famous because South Africa’s target changed dramatically after rain.
1999 World Cup
South Africa defeated England by 122 runs at The Oval.
2003 World Cup
England defeated South Africa by two wickets.
2019 World Cup
England defeated South Africa by 104 runs at The Oval.
2023 World Cup
South Africa defeated England by 229 runs in Mumbai.
These matches demonstrate how dramatically the balance has shifted from one tournament to another.
England vs South Africa Test Rivalry
Test cricket remains one of the most important parts of the rivalry.
South Africa’s first Test was against England in 1889.
The teams then experienced long periods of regular competition, followed by South Africa’s international isolation from the 1960s through the early 1990s.
Since South Africa’s return, the Test rivalry has included several notable series:
- 2008: South Africa won 2-1 in England.
- 2012: South Africa won 2-0 in England.
- 2015-16: England won 2-1.
- 2019-20: South Africa won 3-1.
- 2022: England won 2-1.
The 2022 series was particularly memorable because South Africa won the opening Test before England came back to win the series.
England vs South Africa ODI Rivalry
ODI cricket has produced a large number of England-South Africa encounters.
An ICC statistical review recorded 50 ODI meetings between the teams through June 2013, with South Africa winning 25 and England 21, alongside one tie and three no-results at that point.
The record has continued to develop through later World Cups and bilateral series.
Important modern ODI results include:
- England’s 104-run World Cup victory in 2019.
- South Africa’s 229-run World Cup victory in 2023.
- South Africa’s 2-1 ODI series victory in England in 2025.
England vs South Africa T20I Rivalry
The T20I rivalry has also produced several memorable contests.
One of the earliest famous matches came in 2009, when England defeated South Africa by one run under the Duckworth-Lewis method in Johannesburg.
Eoin Morgan scored 85 not out from 45 balls as England posted 202/6 before rain interrupted South Africa’s chase.
In 2017, England won a three-match T20I series 2-1.
In 2025, the teams played another three-match series. South Africa won the rain-affected opener, England won the second by 146 runs and the third match was abandoned.
The series therefore ended 1-1.
Key Players in the England vs South Africa Rivalry
Over more than a century, many outstanding players have contributed to this rivalry.
England
Important English players include:
- WG Grace
- Ian Botham
- Graham Gooch
- Michael Atherton
- Andrew Flintoff
- Alastair Cook
- James Anderson
- Stuart Broad
- Joe Root
- Ben Stokes
- Jos Buttler
- Eoin Morgan
- Jofra Archer
Joe Root, Ben Stokes and James Anderson have been particularly important figures in the modern Test era.
Eoin Morgan’s 85 not out in the 2009 T20I remains one of the memorable individual performances in the shorter-format rivalry.
South Africa
South Africa have produced an equally impressive list of players, including:
- Graeme Pollock
- Barry Richards
- Kepler Wessels
- Allan Donald
- Hansie Cronje
- Jacques Kallis
- Graeme Smith
- AB de Villiers
- Hashim Amla
- Dale Steyn
- Kagiso Rabada
- Quinton de Kock
- Aiden Markram
- Temba Bavuma
Allan Donald played an important role in South Africa’s 1992 World Cup campaign and later became one of the country’s greatest fast bowlers.
Biggest World Cup Wins in England vs South Africa History
Some of the largest World Cup victories between the teams include:
| Year | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | South Africa | 122 runs |
| 2019 | England | 104 runs |
| 2023 | South Africa | 229 runs |
The 2023 result was the largest of these margins, with South Africa defeating England by 229 runs after scoring 399.
Memorable Moments in the Rivalry
The 1992 Rain Rule
South Africa’s impossible revised target against England became one of the moments that helped highlight the problems with the rain rules of that era. The later Duckworth-Lewis system was developed partly in response to such situations.
South Africa’s 1999 Victory
The Proteas’ 122-run victory over England at The Oval was one of their strongest World Cup performances of that era.
England’s 2019 World Cup Start
England began their successful 2019 World Cup campaign by defeating South Africa by 104 runs at The Oval. England eventually won the tournament.
South Africa’s 2023 Statement Victory
South Africa’s 399-run total and 229-run victory over England at Wankhede was one of the largest defeats suffered by a defending World Cup champion.
England’s 2025 ODI Response
After losing the first two ODIs in 2025, England responded with 414/5 against South Africa at Southampton and won by 342 runs. South Africa nevertheless took the series 2-1.
England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline: Conclusion
The England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline stretches from the first Test between the nations in 1889 to a modern rivalry spanning Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
South Africa’s first Test against England established the Proteas as the world’s third Test nation. The rivalry then experienced a major interruption during South Africa’s international isolation before returning to the world stage in 1992.
The 1992 World Cup semi-final became famous for its controversial rain-affected finish. South Africa later defeated England by 122 runs at the 1999 World Cup, while England won a dramatic two-wicket encounter in 2003.
The modern era has produced equally contrasting results. England won the 2019 World Cup meeting by 104 runs, while South Africa responded with a 229-run victory in the 2023 World Cup.
In 2025, South Africa won the ODI series in England 2-1, while the T20I series finished 1-1.
As of September 2026, the next major chapter is scheduled for December 2026, when England will tour South Africa for a three-Test series followed by three ODIs in January 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did England and South Africa first play Test cricket?
England and South Africa first played Test cricket in 1889 at St George’s Park. England won South Africa’s first Test by eight wickets.
2. Who won the famous 1992 England vs South Africa World Cup semi-final?
England won the 1992 World Cup semi-final by 19 runs after rain dramatically changed South Africa’s target.
3. Who won England vs South Africa in the 1999 World Cup?
South Africa defeated England by 122 runs at The Oval.
4. Who won the England vs South Africa 2019 World Cup match?
England won by 104 runs at The Oval in the opening match of the 2019 World Cup.
5. Who won England vs South Africa in the 2023 World Cup?
South Africa won by 229 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. South Africa scored 399 before bowling England out for 170.
6. Who won the England vs South Africa Test series in 2022?
England won the three-match Test series 2-1. South Africa won the first Test before England won the next two.
7. Who won the England vs South Africa ODI series in 2025?
South Africa won the three-match ODI series 2-1. They won the first two matches before England won the third by 342 runs.
8. Who won the England vs South Africa T20I series in 2025?
The three-match T20I series ended 1-1, with the final match abandoned without a ball being bowled. South Africa won the first match by 14 runs under DLS, while England won the second by 146 runs.
9. What was England’s biggest recent win against South Africa?
One of the biggest recent victories came in the third ODI in 2025, when England defeated South Africa by 342 runs after scoring 414/5.
10. When is England’s next Test series against South Africa?
England are scheduled to tour South Africa for a three-Test series beginning 17 December 2026. The second Test is scheduled for Centurion and the third for Cape Town.
11. Have England and South Africa played each other in T20 cricket?
Yes. They have met in numerous T20Is, including a famous 2009 match that England won by one run under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
12. Which team has won more England vs South Africa ODI matches?
The historical balance depends on the cutoff date and whether no-results are included. An ICC statistical record through June 2013 listed South Africa ahead, with 25 wins to England’s 21, plus one tie and three no-results from 50 meetings. Later matches have changed those totals.
One thought on “England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline”