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The New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Stats reflect a long and competitive history across Test cricket, One Day Internationals, and T20Is. These two international sides have produced many memorable matches, with South Africa holding the stronger overall record in Tests and ODIs, while New Zealand have enjoyed several important victories in major limited-overs tournaments. Their rivalry has also produced dramatic knockout matches, including the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal and the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal.
New Zealand vs South Africa Head-to-Head Record
New Zealand and South Africa have played each other regularly across all three major international formats. The overall numbers show a significant difference between their Test and ODI records, while their T20I meetings have been comparatively more balanced.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand Wins | South Africa Wins | Draw/Tie/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 49 | 7 | 26 | 16 Draws |
| ODIs | 74 | 27 | 42 | 5 No Results |
| T20Is | 25 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 148 | 44 | 83 | 21 |
The Test record is particularly favorable to South Africa, who have won 26 of 49 matches against New Zealand, while New Zealand have won seven. In ODIs, South Africa have won 42 of 74 matches compared with New Zealand’s 27 victories. T20Is have been closer, although South Africa still lead the overall record with 15 wins to New Zealand’s 10.
New Zealand vs South Africa Test Stats
The Test rivalry has been dominated historically by South Africa. Out of 49 Tests, South Africa have won 26, New Zealand have won seven, and 16 matches have ended in draws.
| Test Statistic | New Zealand | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 49 | 49 |
| Wins | 7 | 26 |
| Losses | 26 | 7 |
| Draws | 16 | 16 |
| Home wins | 4 | 17 |
| Away wins | 3 | 9 |
New Zealand’s recent Test record against South Africa includes two major victories in the 2024 series. New Zealand won the first Test by 281 runs and followed it with a seven-wicket victory in the second Test. These results were particularly significant because they gave New Zealand a 2–0 series victory.
In the first Test at Mount Maunganui, South Africa were dismissed for 162 and 247, while New Zealand scored 511 in their first innings before declaring on 179 for 4 in the second innings. New Zealand won by 281 runs.
The second Test at Hamilton was also decided in New Zealand’s favor. South Africa scored 242 and 235, while New Zealand made 211 before reaching 269 for 3 in their second innings to win by seven wickets.
Recent Test Series: 2024
The 2024 two-Test series is one of the most important recent chapters in the New Zealand-South Africa Test rivalry. New Zealand won both matches and completed a 2–0 series sweep.
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Mount Maunganui | New Zealand won by 281 runs |
| 2nd Test | Hamilton | New Zealand won by 7 wickets |
| Series | New Zealand | Won 2–0 |
The first Test produced a particularly dominant result. New Zealand’s large first-innings total put South Africa under pressure from the beginning. In the second Test, New Zealand successfully chased their target to complete another victory.
These matches demonstrated that despite South Africa’s historical advantage in the overall Test head-to-head record, New Zealand have been capable of producing strong performances in recent series.
New Zealand vs South Africa ODI Stats
The ODI rivalry has featured 74 matches. South Africa have won 42, while New Zealand have won 27. Five matches have ended without a result.
| ODI Statistic | New Zealand | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 74 | 74 |
| Wins | 27 | 42 |
| Losses | 42 | 27 |
| No Results | 5 | 5 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Home wins | 12 | 17 |
| Away wins | 5 | 12 |
| Neutral wins | 10 | 13 |
The ODI record includes several important World Cup and Champions Trophy encounters. New Zealand have frequently performed strongly against South Africa in knockout cricket, making this matchup especially notable whenever the teams meet in major tournaments.
2025 Champions Trophy Semifinal
One of the most recent major ODI meetings between the teams came in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semifinal. New Zealand produced an outstanding batting performance and scored 362 for 6 in 50 overs.
South Africa responded with 312 for 9, but New Zealand secured a 50-run victory and progressed to the final.
| 2025 Champions Trophy Semifinal | New Zealand | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 362/6 | 312/9 |
| Overs | 50 | 50 |
| Result | Won | Lost |
| Margin | 50 runs | — |
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson were among the important contributors during New Zealand’s successful tournament campaign. The 362-run total placed substantial pressure on South Africa, and New Zealand’s bowlers were able to defend the total.
The result continued New Zealand’s ability to produce important performances against South Africa in major tournament knockout matches.
Other Recent ODI Meetings
Before the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal, the teams also met during the 2025 triangular ODI competition. New Zealand won another close contest, defeating South Africa by six wickets after chasing 305.
| Match | South Africa | New Zealand | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2025 | 304/6 | 308/4 | New Zealand won by 6 wickets |
| March 5, 2025 | 312/9 | 362/6 | New Zealand won by 50 runs |
| November 1, 2023 | 357/4 | 167 | South Africa won by 190 runs |
These results demonstrate the contrasting nature of the rivalry. South Africa produced a huge 190-run victory in the 2023 World Cup, while New Zealand responded with two important ODI victories in 2025.
New Zealand vs South Africa T20I Stats
The T20I rivalry is considerably more balanced than the Test and ODI records. The teams have played 25 T20Is, with New Zealand winning 10 and South Africa winning 15.
| T20I Statistic | New Zealand | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 25 | 25 |
| Wins | 10 | 15 |
| Losses | 15 | 10 |
| No Results | 0 | 0 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
The two teams have played several high-pressure T20 matches in recent years. Their meetings during 2026 were particularly significant because they played each other in both the group stage and semifinal of the T20 World Cup before meeting again in a bilateral five-match series.
2026 T20 World Cup Semifinal
The 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal became one of the most memorable recent New Zealand-South Africa matches. South Africa scored 169 for 8 in 20 overs, but New Zealand produced a remarkable chase.
New Zealand reached 173 for 1 in only 12.5 overs and won by nine wickets with 43 balls remaining.
| 2026 T20 World Cup Semifinal | South Africa | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 169/8 | 173/1 |
| Overs | 20 | 12.5 |
| Result | Lost | Won |
| Margin | — | 9 wickets |
| Key innings | 169/8 | 173/1 |
Finn Allen produced an extraordinary innings, scoring 100 runs from only 33 balls. His century came at a strike rate of more than 300, making it one of the most explosive performances in a major international T20 knockout match.
New Zealand’s chase was completed with 43 balls still remaining, underlining the scale of their batting performance.
2026 T20I Series
New Zealand and South Africa also played a five-match T20I series in March 2026. South Africa won the first match, New Zealand won the second and third, and South Africa won the fourth and fifth.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| 2nd T20I | New Zealand won by 68 runs |
| 3rd T20I | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| 4th T20I | South Africa won by 19 runs |
| 5th T20I | South Africa won by 33 runs |
South Africa ultimately won the bilateral series 3–2. The series contained contrasting performances, including New Zealand’s 68-run victory in the second match and South Africa’s 33-run win in the final game.
Biggest Recent T20I Scores
The 2026 series produced several substantial totals. New Zealand scored 175 for 6 in the second match, while South Africa made 187 for 4 in the fifth.
| Match | New Zealand | South Africa | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 91 | 93/3 | South Africa won |
| 2nd T20I | 175/6 | 107 | New Zealand won |
| 3rd T20I | 137/2 | 136/9 | New Zealand won |
| 4th T20I | 145 | 164/5 | South Africa won |
| 5th T20I | 154/8 | 187/4 | South Africa won |
The figures show how closely matched the teams can be in T20 cricket. Three of the five matches were decided by relatively clear margins, while the third match was an eight-wicket victory after New Zealand successfully chased South Africa’s total.
Major Tournament Encounters
New Zealand and South Africa have met in several important international tournaments. Their World Cup history is particularly memorable, with New Zealand often involved in close knockout matches against South Africa.
The 2015 World Cup semifinal is one of the most famous examples. New Zealand defeated South Africa by four wickets in a rain-affected match to reach the final.
In the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand again defeated South Africa in a tense group-stage contest. New Zealand won by four wickets after chasing South Africa’s total.
The 2023 World Cup produced a completely different result. South Africa scored 357 for 4 and defeated New Zealand by 190 runs.
The 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal again went New Zealand’s way, with the Black Caps winning by 50 runs.
New Zealand vs South Africa World Cup Record
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ODI World Cup Semifinal | New Zealand won by 4 wickets |
| 2019 | ODI World Cup | New Zealand won by 4 wickets |
| 2023 | ODI World Cup | South Africa won by 190 runs |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy Semifinal | New Zealand won by 50 runs |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup Semifinal | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
These matches demonstrate why New Zealand versus South Africa is frequently associated with high-pressure tournament cricket. Their contests have included dramatic chases, large totals, rain-affected matches and knockout victories.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Several players have played important roles in recent New Zealand-South Africa matches.
For New Zealand, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Finn Allen have been among the notable batting names across different formats. New Zealand have also relied on bowlers capable of exploiting movement and variation in international conditions.
South Africa have featured players such as Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj across recent international campaigns.
Finn Allen’s 100 from 33 balls in the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal stands out as one of the most remarkable recent individual performances in this rivalry.
Most Memorable Recent Performances
| Player | Performance | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | 100 off 33 balls | 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal |
| New Zealand batting unit | 173/1 chase | 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal |
| New Zealand team | 362/6 | 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal |
| New Zealand team | 511 in first innings | 2024 Test |
| South Africa team | 357/4 | 2023 ODI World Cup |
These performances show that the rivalry is not limited to one format. Test matches have featured large totals and long innings, while ODI and T20I encounters have produced explosive scoring and dramatic chases.
Overall Statistical Picture
The overall head-to-head figures show South Africa with the advantage across the three major formats, particularly in Tests and ODIs. New Zealand’s strongest recent results have come in major tournament matches and their 2024 Test series against South Africa.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand | South Africa | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 49 | 7 wins | 26 wins | 16 draws |
| ODI | 74 | 27 wins | 42 wins | 5 no results |
| T20I | 25 | 10 wins | 15 wins | 0 |
| Total | 148 | 44 wins | 83 wins | 21 |
These numbers should be considered in their historical context because international cricket squads change frequently. A team’s past record does not necessarily represent the strength of a current squad, particularly when comparing matches played many years apart.
Final Thoughts
The New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Stats highlight a rivalry that has produced contrasting results across formats and generations. South Africa have the stronger historical Test and ODI records, while New Zealand have recorded several important victories in major tournaments and won the 2024 Test series 2–0. Recent meetings have been particularly competitive, with New Zealand winning the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal and the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal, while South Africa won the 2026 five-match T20I series 3–2. The combination of historic records, major tournament encounters and high-scoring modern T20 matches makes this one of international cricket’s notable cross-format rivalries.
FAQs
1. How many times have New Zealand and South Africa played Test cricket?
New Zealand and South Africa have played 49 Test matches. South Africa have won 26, New Zealand have won seven, and 16 matches have ended in draws.
2. Who has the better ODI record between New Zealand and South Africa?
South Africa have the stronger overall ODI head-to-head record. They have won 42 of the 74 matches, while New Zealand have won 27. Five matches have produced no result.
3. How many T20Is have New Zealand and South Africa played?
The teams have played 25 T20Is. South Africa have won 15 and New Zealand have won 10.
4. Who won the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa?
New Zealand won the semifinal by nine wickets after chasing South Africa’s 169 for 8 in just 12.5 overs.
5. Who scored 100 runs for New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal?
Finn Allen scored 100 runs from only 33 balls in New Zealand’s nine-wicket victory.
6. Who won the 2024 Test series between New Zealand and South Africa?
New Zealand won the two-match Test series 2–0. They won the first Test by 281 runs and the second by seven wickets.
7. Who won the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa?
New Zealand won the semifinal by 50 runs after scoring 362 for 6 and restricting South Africa to 312 for 9.
8. What was South Africa’s biggest recent ODI score against New Zealand?
South Africa scored 357 for 4 in the 2023 ODI World Cup and won that match by 190 runs.
9. What is New Zealand’s biggest recent ODI total against South Africa?
New Zealand scored 362 for 6 in the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal and won the match by 50 runs.
10. Which team has won more matches overall between New Zealand and South Africa?
Across the listed Test, ODI and T20I head-to-head records, South Africa have more victories overall. They have 83 wins compared with New Zealand’s 44, with the remaining matches ending in draws or no results.