Since 1889, South Africa and England have engaged in fierce cricket rivalry, producing legendary performances and thrilling finishes in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This timeline details these encounters – from Amla’s triple century to Stokes’ counterattacking masterclass – as they illustrate changing cricket styles and historic victories that define this intense rivalry.
Recent skirmishes feature dominant displays and gripping thrillers alike – most recently South Africa’s triumphant win in England in 1998! This south africa national cricket team vs england cricket team timeline captures these verified matches, highlighting trends like batting firepower and DRS impacts.
| Date | Format | Venue | Result | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2025 | T20I | Cardiff, Wales | South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS Method) | Rain-shortened match; South Africa set a DLS-adjusted target of 69; England managed only 54/5 (Reuters). |
| Sep 7, 2025 | ODI | Southampton, England | England won by 342 runs | England posted a record-breaking 414/5; Jacob Bethell scored 110 runs; South Africa bowled out for 72 (Talksport). |
| Sep 4, 2025 | ODI | Lord’s, London | South Africa won by 5 runs | South Africa chased down 325/9 with 2 balls to spare; Matthew Breetzke scored 85 (The Times of India). |
| Sep 2, 2025 | ODI | Lord’s, London | South Africa won by 7 wickets | England posted 131; South Africa chased it down comfortably (myKhel). |
| Mar 1, 2025 | ODI | Cardiff, Wales | South Africa won by 7 wickets | England bundled out for 179; South Africa chased 181/3 in 29 overs; Marco Jansen took 3/39 (The Guardian). |
Origins
South Africa made their international cricket debut in 1888-89 when they hosted an England team. While initially they could not match Australia or England’s intensity and skill, over time South Africa gained experience and knowledge that allowed it to become one of the most competitive sides in world cricket.
In 1907, they were invited by the MCC to tour England for the first time and play official Test matches. They won all five matches they entered, particularly those featuring spin bowlers such as Reggie Schwarz, Aubrey Faulkner and Donovan Vogler who excelled with googly balls.
Since their return, South Africa have become one of the dominant international teams, reaching the semi-final of 2015 Cricket World Cup before falling to New Zealand before winning 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy. Recently, they recalled David Miller and Keshav Maharaj for white-ball tours of England next month.
First Test Match
The South Africa National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team rivalry is one of the most captivating rivalries in cricket. Spanning multiple formats–Tests, ODIs and T20I–it features legendary performances and nail-biting finishes. Both sides have formed an enduring competitive spirit through cricket history; thus shaping its legacy.
The inaugural Test match between South Africa and England took place on a green matting wicket in Port Elizabeth and was won by England. This match served as a precursor to modern test format and laid the groundwork for an intense rivalry that has continued through successive eras.
Second Test Match
The second test proved highly entertaining. South Africa made a comeback behind Hashim Amla’s 311* score, but England were in control, and looked set for victory in this series.
Lungi Ngidi delivered a superb yorker that dismissed Buttler and set up an exhilarating finish. Jofra Archer needed 16 off Senuran Muthusamy in the last over, but Saqib Mahmood took one run instead to secure victory for Jofra Archer and Senuran Muthusamy.
England suffered another crushing defeat at Lord’s, following their stunning loss at Headingley just three days earlier, yet there were some bright spots: Phil Salt’s 141 was both the highest score and fastest hundred score ever by an English batter in this format and helped lead them to a score of 304/2; their batting has certainly come along nicely; however, improvements need to be made if England wishes to compete with world’s premier sides.
Third Test Match
South Africa have claimed victory after an unexpectedly eventful series, featuring one-sided victories at Headingley and Lord’s, that featured one-sided wins at both venues. Although they might not have produced their finest cricket performances, they did enough to claim a 2-1 series win.
South Africa’s return has added new spice to this rivalry. Under Graeme Smith’s fearless leadership and Hashim Amla’s elegant batsmanship, South Africa have won multiple series victories against England. Meanwhile Allan Donald’s lightning pace dominated England’s batsmen.
Modern cricket rivalries between South Africans and Englishmen are defined by tense Test matches and thrilling One Day Internationals (ODIs).
From Hashim Amla’s iconic 311* score to Ben Stokes’ counterattacking masterclass, each chapter of their rivalry has seen moments of brilliance as well as heartache; now is the time for their next chapter to begin!
Fourth Test Match
The rivalry between South Africa’s national cricket team and England cricket team is one of the most iconic in international sport, spanning more than 100 years and including legendary performances and historic victories across formats. From its early years of dominance to today’s heated encounters, this intense rivalry has long defined cricket.
England was unstoppable during the early days of this legendary rivalry; however, South African grit and talent quickly turned matches into exciting contests.
Star players such as Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Allan Donald began terrorising England’s batting with their pace. From Test series to nail-biting T20 finishes – this thrilling rivalry remains at the pinnacle of global cricket – as evidenced by this unique timeline that chronicles its history from its inception until today.
Fifth Test Match
No matter if it’s an exciting Test match with Table Mountain as its backdrop or an intense ODI contest in Karachi, South Africa’s national cricket team and England cricket team rivalry has always been packed with drama.
Over the years both sides have featured legends and rising stars alike; from Johnny Briggs’s brilliant batting to Hashim Amla’s sensational 311* innings this storied rivalry has served as a reminder of its power.
From their first meeting in 1889 up until now, South Africa and England matches have played a critical role in international cricket history. From legendary performances and political interferences, to electrifying Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
From Amla’s triple century to Ben Stokes’ counterattacking masterclass – one of sport’s great rivalries has taken shape between these nations over the decades – and this guide captures its key moments!
Sixth Test Match
South Africa and England’s cricket rivalry is one of the most compelling in international cricket. From record-setting performances and political disruptions, to thrilling Tests, ODIs, and T20Is; their rivalry provides plenty of drama!
South Africa was intimidated by England in their inaugural series since rejoining after being readmitted in 1991, and felt overwhelmed by their experience and top-order batting power. Yet this match ignited South African cricketing ambitions and set in motion a competitive rivalry that has since endured.
Markram played a composed and patient innings of low-risk accumulation punctuated by occasional boundaries, giving his batting line-up every chance to reach their target.
Unfortunately for Markram though, Lyon sucked him in at slip for 281 runs; although his wicket was important it was less so than what Lyon contributed in terms of fielding; for instance when he stopped Smith from producing an uncharacteristically poor piece of play during the 26th over.
Seventh Test Match
South Africa and England’s cricket rivalry has long been one of the fiercest in international cricket, featuring Test matches all the way through to T20I matches with thrilling finishes and memorable victories for both sides.
From early Test matches to modern T20I confrontations, this contest has produced legendary performances and celebrated victories on both sides.
England initially dominated this series as their home ground advantage and superior experience proved too much for South Africa’s young players to overcome. However, this series stimulated South African ambitions and laid the groundwork for their growing success in longer forms of cricket.
Recently, this rivalry has become one of the highlights of global cricketing history. Under Graeme Smith’s fearless leadership and Hashim Amla’s elegant batsmanship, South Africa have come out victorious in one-day internationals (ODIs). Meanwhile Allan Donald’s “white lightning” pace has terrified England batsmen in Twenty20Is.
Eighth Test Match
The South Africa national cricket team and England cricket team rivalry is one of the most thrilling rivalries in international cricket, producing legendary performances, historical political disruptions and nail-biting matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
From Graeme Smith’s fearless captaincy to Hashim Amla’s elegant bating; this match-up has provided world cricket at its best.
Bavuma continues his aggressive and composed batting with another single off Hazlewood before taking four wickets against Starc through midwicket – not freely but calmly and fiercely determined – South Africa reach tea with their game delicately poised;
Australia must take four wickets in the last session to win; but that will require them to perform at their very best to do so.
Ninth Test Match
Although England lost the five-match Test series 3-0, their top-order batting and spin attack made life difficult for a South African side that had only recently declared itself as test playing nation. These match-ups fostered competitive spirit between teams while setting the groundwork for future clashes.
In one early series of matches between England and South Africa, led by Major Warton’s touring English side, a young South African XI was assembled. Although their county-strength side lost these matches, many saw this series as monumental as they marked the first time South Africa had defeated British tourists within its borders.
Markram takes four runs off Hazlewood into midwicket to move into the nineties, and close to an epic hundred. Additionally, he stands just one wicket short of breaking South Africans’ world cup run scoring record of 1,605.
