The rivalry between South Africa and Australia began in 1902/03, when Australia won the three-match series 2-0. Since then, this rivalry has grown into one of the fiercest battles in world cricket. Australia leads the overall head-to-head with 125 wins, while South Africa has 92 victories, alongside 24 draws and 1 no result.
In Tests, Australia dominates with 54 wins to South Africa’s 26. In ODIs, South Africa narrowly leads 57-52. In T20Is, Australia leads 19-9. In ICC tournaments, Australia also has the upper hand and owns 14 ICC titles compared to South Africa’s 3. Check the detailed stats and format-wise breakdown below.
Overview of Australia vs South Africa Head-to-Head
The cricket rivalry between South Africa and Australia has been very exciting over the years. Both teams have played a total of 296 matches in all formats of the game. These matches include Tests, One Day Internationals, and T20 games.
Of these 296 matches, South Africa has won 111. Australia has won 143 matches. The remaining 42 matches ended in a draw, a tie, or had no result.
| Format | Matches Played | South Africa Won | Australia Won | Draw | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 101 | 26 | 54 | 21 | 0 |
| ODIs | 113 | 57 | 52 | 03 | 1 |
| T20Is | 28 | 09 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 242 | 92 | 125 | 24 | 1 |
South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head in ICC Tournament
In ICC tournaments, South Africa and Australia have played fewer matches. In the ODI World Cup, they have played 8 matches, with Australia winning 4 and South Africa winning 3. In the T20 World Cup, Australia has won both matches it has played. South Africa won their first senior ICC tournament against Australia by defeating them in the WTC 2025 final.
| Tournament | Matches played | South Africa won | Australia won | Draw/No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 8 | 3 | 4 | 01 |
| T20 World Cup | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Champions Trophy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| World Test Championship | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
South Africa and Australia ICC Trophies Comparison
Australia is the most successful team in ICC tournaments, having won 14 ICC titles, while South Africa has won only 3.
| Tournament | South Africa | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Cricket World Cup | 0 | 6 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | 0 | 1 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 1 | 2 |
| ICC World Test Championship | 1 | 1 |
| ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 03 | 14 |
South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head
Here are the head-to-head stats of South Africa and Australia in the ODI, T20I, and test matches.
South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head in T20Is
India and Australia have faced each other 28 times in this format. Australia has dominated the rivalry with 19 wins, while India has 09.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 28 |
| Australia Won | 19 |
| South Africa Won | 09 |
India vs Australia Head-to-Head in ODIs
In the ODIs, neither team has an advantage, as Australia has won 52 matches and South Africa has defeated them 57 times.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 113 |
| Australia Won | 52 |
| South Africa Won | 57 |
| No Result | 01 |
| Tied | 03 |
India vs Australia Head-to-Head in Test Matches
Out of 101 test matches played, Australia has won 54, while India has won only 26.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 101 |
| Australia Won | 54 |
| South Africa Won | 26 |
| Draw | 21 |
Player Stats in India vs Australia
Let’s have a look at the player performances in all 3 formats in the India and Australia rivalry.
Players Stats in T20Is
Most Runs in T20Is
David Warner has scored 471 T20I runs, the most by any batter in the South African-Australia rivalry. He is followed by another Australian batter Michell Marsh, with 407 runs.
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Warner (AUS) | 2009-2021 | 15 | 471 | 89 | 34 | 4 |
| Mitchell Marsh (AUS) | 2011-2025 | 14 | 407 | 92* | 41 | 3 |
| JP Duminy (SA) | 2009-2016 | 15 | 378 | 78 | 34 | 3 |
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | 2014-2021 | 13 | 358 | 70 | 30 | 1 |
| Shane Watson (AUS) | 2006-2016 | 10 | 296 | 70 | 29.6 | 2 |
Most Wickets in T20Is
Kagiso Rabada has played the most T20Is in this rivalry and has taken 14 wickets, while Pat Cummins has 13 wickets.
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Economy | 5 wicket haul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada (SA) | 2014-2025 | 13 | 14 | 2/25 | 8 | 0 |
| Pat Cummins (AUS) | 2011-2021 | 10 | 13 | 3/25 | 6 | 0 |
| Adam Zampa (AUS) | 2016-2025 | 10 | 12 | 2/9 | 7 | 0 |
| James Faulkner (AUS) | 2014-2016 | 5 | 10 | 3/25 | 7 | 0 |
| Robin Peterson (SA) | 2006-2014 | 6 | 10 | 3/28 | 8.65 | 0 |
Players Stats In ODIs
Most Runs in ODIs
Australia’s veteran batter Ricky Pointing has scored 1879 runs in 48 matches, the most by any batter in this battle. SA’s explosive all-rounder Jacque Kallis, follows him with 1639 runs.
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 1995-2011 | 48 | 1879 | 164 | 40 | 2 |
| Jacque Kallis (SA) | 1997-2011 | 47 | 1639 | 104* | 36 | 1 |
| Jonty Rhodes (SA) | 1992-2002 | 55 | 1610 | 83* | 40 | 0 |
| Steve Waugh (AUS) | 1992-2002 | 47 | 1581 | 120* | 43 | 2 |
| Hansie Cronje (SA) | 1992-1999 | 39 | 1364 | 112 | 47.03 | 2 |
Most Wickets in ODIs
There are 3 South African bowlers in the most wicket-taker list in ODIs. Shane Warne is the leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets.
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Economy | 5 wicket haul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 1993-2002 | 45 | 60 | 4/29 | 4 | 0 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 1993-2007 | 41 | 58 | 4/24 | 4 | 0 |
| Shaun Pollock (SA) | 1997-2007 | 42 | 55 | 5/36 | 4 | 1 |
| Dale Steyn (SA) | 2006-2018 | 27 | 49 | 4/27 | 5 | 0 |
| Allan Donald (SA) | 1992-2002 | 30 | 45 | 4/29 | 4.36 | 0 |
Players Stats in Test
Most Runs in Test Matches
In this rivalry, once again Ricky Ponting tops the chart with 2132 runs in 26 matches, followed by AB de Villiers’s 2068 runs.
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 1997-2012 | 26 | 2132 | 143* | 47 | 8 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 2005-2018 | 24 | 2068 | 169 | 52 | 6 |
| Jacque Kallis (SA) | 1997-2012 | 28 | 1978 | 147 | 40 | 5 |
| Neil Harvey (AUS) | 1949-1958 | 14 | 1625 | 205 | 81 | 8 |
| Hashim Amla (SA) | 2008-2018 | 21 | 1574 | 196 | 41.42 | 5 |
Most Wickets in Test Matches
In bowling, Shane Warne has taken 130 wickets, the most by any bowler against South Africa. He is followed by another Grimmett’s 77 wickets.
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Economy | 5 wicket haul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 1993-2006 | 24 | 130 | 7/56 | 2 | 7 |
| Clarrie Grimmett (AUS) | 1931-1936 | 10 | 77 | 7/40 | 2 | 8 |
| Dale Steyn (SA) | 2008-2016 | 15 | 70 | 5/67 | 4 | 2 |
| Mitchell Johnson (AUS) | 2008-2014 | 12 | 64 | 8/61 | 3 | 3 |
| Hugh Tayfield (SA) | 1949-1958 | 15 | 64 | 7/23 | 2.19 | 4 |
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Conclusion: Australia Has Dominated The Rivalry Against South Africa
Australia has dominated the overall rivalry with 125 wins, while South Africa has secured 92 victories across formats. Australia has maintained a healthy lead in ICC tournaments, test matches, and T20Is.
In trophies, too, Australia leads with 14, while South Africa has won only 3. As both teams will play more matches against each other, this rivalry will produce more memorable matches.
