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The South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team stats cover one of the oldest and most competitive rivalries in international cricket. The two teams have played extensively across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, with their meetings regularly taking place in bilateral series as well as major ICC tournaments.
In men’s Test cricket, England have the stronger historical head-to-head record, winning 66 of the 156 Tests played between the sides, while South Africa have won 35 and 55 have ended in draws. In ODIs, South Africa lead with 37 wins to England’s 31 from 74 matches. The T20I record is extremely close, with South Africa ahead 14-13 after 28 matches and one no-result.
The latest completed meetings came during South Africa’s white-ball tour of England in September 2025. South Africa won the ODI series 2-1, while England won the second T20I by 146 runs after South Africa had won the opening T20I by 14 runs via the DLS method.
South Africa vs England Head-to-Head Record
South Africa and England have competed against each other since the first Test series in 1889. Their rivalry has subsequently expanded into ODI and T20I cricket.
England have won more Tests, while South Africa have the advantage in both ODIs and T20Is based on the current progressive records.
| Format | Matches | England Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws | Ties | No Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 156 | 66 | 35 | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 74 | 31 | 37 | — | 1 | 5 |
| T20Is | 28 | 13 | 14 | — | 0 | 1 |
The Test record covers matches through September 2022, while the ODI and T20I records extend through September 2025.
Test Head-to-Head Stats
England and South Africa have played 156 Test matches, making this one of the longest-running Test rivalries in international cricket.
England have won 66 Tests, South Africa have won 35 and 55 matches have ended in draws. The latest Test series between the teams was played in England in 2022, after which the two sides have not played a Test against each other through September 2026.
| Test Statistic | England | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 156 | 156 |
| Wins | 66 | 35 |
| Losses | 35 | 66 |
| Draws | 55 | 55 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Highest Total | 654/5 | 682/6d |
| Lowest All Out | 76 | 30 |
South Africa’s highest Test total against England is 682/6 declared, made at Lord’s in 2003. England’s highest is 654/5, scored at Kingsmead in Durban during the 1938-39 series.
ODI Head-to-Head Stats
South Africa have a narrow advantage over England in ODI cricket. The teams have played 74 ODIs, with South Africa winning 37 and England winning 31. Five matches produced no result and one ended in a tie.
| ODI Statistic | England | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 74 | 74 |
| Wins | 31 | 37 |
| Losses | 37 | 31 |
| Ties | 1 | 1 |
| No Results | 5 | 5 |
| Highest Total | 414/5 | 399/7 |
| Lowest All Out | 103 | 72 |
England’s highest ODI total against South Africa is 414/5, scored at Southampton in September 2025. South Africa’s highest is 399/7, made against England at the Wankhede Stadium during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The 2025 ODI series also produced a dramatic range of results, with South Africa winning the first two matches before England recorded a huge victory in the third ODI.
T20I Head-to-Head Stats
The T20I rivalry is one of the closest between the two teams. After 28 completed matches, South Africa have won 14 and England have won 13, with one no-result.
| T20I Statistic | England | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 28 | 28 |
| Wins | 13 | 14 |
| Losses | 14 | 13 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Results | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Total | 304/2 | 241/6 |
| Lowest All Out | 101 | 129 |
England’s remarkable 304/2 in Manchester in September 2025 is their highest T20I score against South Africa and one of the highest totals ever recorded in men’s T20I cricket. Phil Salt scored 141 not out and Jos Buttler made 83.
South Africa’s highest T20I total against England is 241/6, scored at Centurion in 2009.
Overall Format Comparison
The three formats show how the balance of the rivalry has changed over different periods.
| Category | Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 156 | 74 | 28 |
| England Wins | 66 | 31 | 13 |
| South Africa Wins | 35 | 37 | 14 |
| Draws | 55 | — | — |
| Ties | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| No Results | 0 | 5 | 1 |
England’s advantage is most pronounced in the historical Test record. South Africa lead the ODI record and also have a one-match advantage in T20Is.
Highest Team Totals
Both teams have produced some extraordinary totals in this rivalry.
| Format | England Highest | South Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 654/5 | 682/6d |
| ODI | 414/5 | 399/7 |
| T20I | 304/2 | 241/6 |
The most recent addition to this table came in September 2025, when England scored 414/5 in the third ODI and 304/2 in the second T20I against South Africa.
South Africa’s 399/7 against England in the 2023 World Cup remains their highest ODI total in this head-to-head.
Lowest Team Totals
The rivalry has also produced some very low totals, particularly in Test and ODI cricket.
| Format | England Lowest | South Africa Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 76 | 30 |
| ODI | 103 | 72 |
| T20I | 101 | 129 |
South Africa’s lowest Test total against England is just 30, recorded twice: at St George’s Park in 1895-96 and at Edgbaston in 1924.
In ODI cricket, South Africa were dismissed for 72 against England at Southampton in September 2025. England’s lowest ODI total against South Africa is 103, recorded at The Oval in 1999.
Top Batting Records
The rivalry has produced several outstanding batting performances across generations.
| Batter | Team | Best Score | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| HM Amla | South Africa | 311* | Test |
| BA Stokes | England | 258 | Test |
| DCS Compton | England | 208 | Test |
| B Mitchell | South Africa | 189* | Test |
| Phil Salt | England | 141* | T20I |
| JC Buttler | England | 131 | ODI |
| RR Rossouw | South Africa | 96* | T20I |
South Africa’s Hashim Amla holds the highest individual score in the Test rivalry, making an unbeaten 311 at The Oval in 2012. England’s Ben Stokes scored 258 at Newlands during the 2015-16 series.
In ODIs, Jos Buttler’s 131 is England’s highest individual score against South Africa in the ACS records. In T20Is, Phil Salt’s unbeaten 141 in September 2025 is the highest individual score by an England batter against South Africa.
Top Bowling Records
The Test rivalry has featured some exceptional bowling figures.
| Bowler | Team | Best Innings Figures | Best Match Figures | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA Lohmann | England | 9/28 | — | Test |
| SF Barnes | England | — | 17/159 | Test |
| HJ Tayfield | South Africa | 9/113 | — | Test |
| K Rabada | South Africa | — | 13/144 | Test |
| JM Anderson | England | 5/40 | — | Test |
| SM Pollock | South Africa | 6/39 | — | Test |
George Lohmann’s 9/28 is England’s best innings bowling performance against South Africa. South Africa’s best innings figures belong to Hugh Tayfield, who took 9/113.
In match terms, Sydney Barnes took 17 wickets for 159 runs, while Kagiso Rabada recorded 13/144 at Centurion during the 2015-16 series.
Latest ODI Series
The latest completed ODI series between South Africa and England took place in September 2025 in England.
South Africa won the first two matches before England responded with a record-breaking performance in the third ODI. The three matches produced totals of 137/3, 131/10, 325/9, 330/8, 414/5 and 72 all out across the series.
| ODI | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | South Africa won by 5 runs |
| 3rd ODI | England won by 342 runs |
| Series Result | South Africa won 2-1 |
England’s 342-run victory in the third ODI is one of the largest winning margins in the history of this fixture. Their 414/5 was powered by Joe Root’s 100 and Jacob Bethell’s 110.
Latest T20I Series
The most recent T20I series was also played in England in September 2025.
South Africa won the opening match by 14 runs via the DLS method. England then produced an extraordinary response in the second T20I, scoring 304/2 and winning by 146 runs.
| T20I | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | South Africa won by 14 runs, DLS |
| 2nd T20I | England won by 146 runs |
| Series Status | 1-1 |
Phil Salt’s 141 not out was the centerpiece of England’s second-match performance. He and Jos Buttler shared a 126-run opening partnership before England accelerated to 304/2.
World Cup Head-to-Head
South Africa and England have met repeatedly in ICC World Cup competitions, producing several memorable matches.
| Tournament | Year | Result/Notable Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 1992 | England won |
| ODI World Cup | 1999 | Match tied |
| ODI World Cup | 2007 | South Africa won |
| ODI World Cup | 2011 | England won |
| ODI World Cup | 2023 | South Africa won |
| T20 World Cup | 2024 | South Africa won by 7 runs |
The 2023 ODI World Cup encounter in Mumbai was particularly notable for South Africa’s 399/7, followed by England’s 170 all out and a 229-run South African victory.
At the 2024 T20 World Cup, South Africa defended 163/6 against England, winning by seven runs in the Super Eight stage.
Biggest Wins
The teams have produced some large victories across all three formats.
| Format | Team | Notable Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Test | England | 284 runs, 2019 |
| ODI | England | 342 runs, 2025 |
| ODI | South Africa | 229 runs, 2023 |
| T20I | England | 146 runs, 2025 |
| T20I | South Africa | 90 runs, 2009 |
The 2025 third ODI stands out because England won by 342 runs, after making 414/5 and dismissing South Africa for 72. The 2025 second T20I was also a major result, with England winning by 146 runs after reaching 304/2.
Important Records
Several major records define the South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team stats.
| Record | Figure |
|---|---|
| Test matches | 156 |
| ODI matches | 74 |
| T20I matches | 28 |
| England Test wins | 66 |
| South Africa Test wins | 35 |
| England ODI wins | 31 |
| South Africa ODI wins | 37 |
| England T20I wins | 13 |
| South Africa T20I wins | 14 |
| Highest England Test score | 654/5 |
| Highest South Africa Test score | 682/6d |
| Highest England ODI score | 414/5 |
| Highest South Africa ODI score | 399/7 |
| Highest England T20I score | 304/2 |
| Highest South Africa T20I score | 241/6 |
| Highest Test individual score | Hashim Amla, 311* |
| Highest England T20I individual score | Phil Salt, 141* |
| Best England Test bowling | George Lohmann, 9/28 |
| Best South Africa Test bowling | Hugh Tayfield, 9/113 |
These records highlight the different character of the rivalry in each format. England have the stronger Test record, while South Africa have the advantage in the limited-overs head-to-head.
Recent Results
The most recent completed matches between the teams were played in September 2025.
| Date | Format | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2, 2025 | ODI | South Africa | 7 wickets |
| Sept. 4, 2025 | ODI | South Africa | 5 runs |
| Sept. 7, 2025 | ODI | England | 342 runs |
| Sept. 10, 2025 | T20I | South Africa | 14 runs, DLS |
| Sept. 12, 2025 | T20I | England | 146 runs |
The results show how dramatically the momentum shifted during the 2025 white-ball tour. South Africa won the first two ODIs and the opening T20I, while England responded with a huge ODI victory and an even larger T20I win.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have South Africa and England played each other in Test cricket?
South Africa and England have played 156 men’s Test matches. England have won 66, South Africa have won 35 and 55 matches have ended in draws.
Who has won more ODIs between South Africa and England?
South Africa lead the ODI head-to-head with 37 wins compared with England’s 31 from 74 matches. There has also been one tie and five no-results.
What is the highest score in South Africa vs England matches?
England’s highest recorded totals are 654/5 in Tests, 414/5 in ODIs and 304/2 in T20Is. South Africa’s highest totals are 682/6 declared in Tests, 399/7 in ODIs and 241/6 in T20Is.
Who has scored the highest individual score in South Africa vs England matches?
Hashim Amla holds the highest individual score in the Test head-to-head, making 311 not out for South Africa at The Oval in 2012. In T20Is, England’s Phil Salt holds the highest individual score with 141 not out in 2025.
What was the latest South Africa vs England cricket result?
The latest completed meeting was the second T20I in September 2025. England scored 304/2 and defeated South Africa by 146 runs, with Phil Salt making 141 not out.
Conclusion
The South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team stats reveal a long-running rivalry with a different balance in each format. England have the stronger historical Test record, with 66 wins from 156 matches, while South Africa lead the ODI record 37-31 and the T20I record 14-13.
The rivalry has also produced extraordinary individual and team records. Hashim Amla’s 311 not out, George Lohmann’s 9/28, England’s 414/5 in the 2025 ODI and Phil Salt’s 141 not out in the 2025 T20I are among the most notable figures.
The September 2025 white-ball series further demonstrated the competitiveness of the matchup, with South Africa taking the ODI series 2-1 before the T20I series ended 1-1. The teams are scheduled to meet again during England’s tour of South Africa beginning in December 2026.
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