South Africa and Australia share one of the world’s most compelling cricket rivalries, filled with fast pace battles and dramatic batting performances. Regular meetings between these nations produce memorable moments like their record 438 ODI chase or epic World Cup battles.
De Zorzi scores two fours off Adam Zampa’s over, then lofts an excellent straight drive over backward square leg fielder for six runs – 17 from this over in the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Australian men‚Äôs Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
| Match | Date | Format | Result | Top Performers / Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa vs Australia – 2nd ODI | 22 Aug 2025 | ODI | SA won by 84 runs | SA 277/10 vs AUS 193/10; Ngidi five‑wkt haul (ABP Live) |
| South Africa vs Australia – 1st ODI | 19 Aug 2025 | ODI | SA won by 98 runs | SA 296/8 vs AUS 198/10; Markram 82, Bavuma 65 (The Times of India) |
| Australia vs South Africa – 3rd ODI | 24 Aug 2025 | ODI | AUS won by 276 runs | AUS 431/2 vs SA 155 all out; Head 142, Green 118 (ABP Live) |
| South Africa vs Australia – 2nd T20I | 12 Aug 2025 | T20I | SA won by 53 runs | SA 218/7 vs AUS 165/10; Brevis 125 (NDTV Sports) |
| South Africa vs Australia – 3rd T20I | 16 Aug 2025 | T20I | AUS won by 2 wkts | AUS 173/8 vs SA 172/7; Maxwell 62(not out) (ESPN) |
South Africa vs Australia
Australia and South Africa witnessed one of the most thrilling T20 matches this year. Both sides employed strategic thinking to gain an advantage, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as wickets fell and catches were taken – culminating in a fantastic final over showdown that will long be remembered by cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Australia won the toss and decided to bat first, hoping for a competitive total. Unfortunately for them, however, South African bowlers were determined to stop them getting too far ahead.
Utilizing tight bowling and strategic field placement techniques they used tight bowling and field placement to keep run rate at bay; leaving Australian batsmen to struggle making runs under constant pressure to stay alive in the game.
South African bowlers were ultimately victorious; they kept up the pressure with consistent and accurate bowling that took some key wickets at key moments, which allowed South African batsmen to form partnerships and make comebacks into the game – eventually leading to South Africa winning by an extraordinary margin – recording their second highest ODI win against Australia ever.
This win provides the Proteas with a significant boost, who are hoping to bounce back after recent disappointing performances. They must hit top form to qualify for the World Cup which starts shortly, and find consistency in their batting which has been disappointing so far.
Both teams have suffered some disappointing performances during their warm-up games, so this will be an opportunity for both to find their form before the main tournament begins.
South Africa have an edge due to having more experience of the conditions; however, much will depend on how Alex Lee Young and Steven Hogan perform.
The match was filled with action, featuring some spectacular catches and runs by both teams, but Kagiso Rabada stood out with some key wickets as South African bowler Kagiso Rabada helped secure an easy win for their side in the last overs.
Tests
South Africa and Australia have met 101 times throughout history, with Australia winning 54 Test matches while 21 ended in draws.
There have also been One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals but most matches have been decided by Test scores; South Africa and Australia have met five times in the final of a Test match with both winning twice.
South Africa won their most recent meeting between Australia and South Africa back in 2025 when they claimed a 2-1 Test series victory.
Since then, these teams have played each other ten times in ODIs with Australia taking six wins to South Africa’s four. Finally, two T20Is took place with South Africa emerging victorious both times.
Temba Bavuma takes hold of the ICC Mace and lifts it high over his head, holding it aloft like a weapon and mock-firing into space around him. On such an historic day at Lord’s, this momentous occasion will take some time to sink in; nonetheless, South African team rejoice at being world champions once more!
ODIs
Australia and South Africa have competed in 113 One Day Internationals since 1992, with Australia winning 52 matches to South Africa’s 57 victories.
This format, devised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) is used to determine who wins multi-match competition series using standard scorecard with points assigned for runs scored, wickets taken, and the three powerplays.
Head and Marsh both scored centuries during South Africa’s win of 195 runs over Australia in the opening ODI, while Australia finished on 431/6; its second highest ODI total ever. Cooper Connolly achieved five wickets at just 15 years of age to become one of their youngest spinners to take five-wicket hauls in an ODI match.
On 10 August, Aaron Hardie was added as a replacement for Matthew Short from Sydney Sixers T20 Blast; also added were Darren Beadman and Colin Ingram from this league’s squad; Aiden Markram became captain for this series for the first time ever.
Proteas easily won the fourth and final ODI against Australia by 177 runs. De Zorzi hit an unbeaten century while Brevis and Mulder both contributed significantly towards reaching total. Australia were still able to take the series 2-1 despite this setback.
ODIs (one-day internationals) are a form of one-day cricket played under standard International Cricket Council rules.
First established in the early 90s when the ICC wanted to expand on domestic one-day formats and increase international matches played each year, five Test-playing nations initially were granted ODI status and now all kinds of teams participate.
The Proteas will travel to England for three ODIs and three T20Is starting September 2. They will then have a break before beginning their summer in New Zealand with three T20Is against Australia starting on October 1.
Over this period, South African players will look towards 2027 World Cup, where they are hosts; it will be difficult for them to defend their title against such tough opposition.
T20Is
In recent years, South Africa has outmatched Australia in T20Is – winning six of seven matches against them since 2014.
South Africa defeated Australia decisively on March 17, as Cameron Green scored one of the fastest hundred scores ever seen in an ODI and Cooper Connolly secured his maiden five-wicket haul to give South Africa a strong victory over Australia.
At Cazalys Stadium in Darwin, a crowd near capacity witnessed South Africa win its inaugural Twenty20 International series against Australia for the first time ever on home soil, as well as suffer their biggest ever run-margin defeat on Australian soil.
In Adelaide, South Africa had only managed a narrow victory; but in Darwin they dominated with bowling and batsmen to score an emphatic victory, using pressure from pitch and scoreboard as well as slower ball to their advantage – including two debutants (Dewald Brevis and Prenelan Subrayen) who both took wickets during their debuts ODI matches!
South Africa are known to field some promising young players such as Brevis, making them difficult to beat in T20 Internationals. But due to missing some experienced players, South Africa will need to improve significantly if they want to win this series against Australia in Sydney.
