South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Stats
Cricket has always been a game of numbers. The rivalry between the South Africa national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team is no exception. Over the years, these two teams have faced off in numerous formats, providing fans with exciting matches filled with spectacular performances. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the statistics that define their contests, covering everything from Test matches to ODIs and T20 Internationals.
Table of Contents
A Historical Overview of the Rivalry
Origins and Early Encounters
The rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand began long before the modern cricketing era. Both teams first met in a Test match on January 1, 1932, in Durban, South Africa. While South Africa dominated the early years of the competition, New Zealand gradually became a competitive force.
- First Test match: January 1, 1932, Durban (South Africa won by an innings and 27 runs)
- First ODI match: February 11, 1995, Centurion (South Africa won by 9 wickets)
- First T20I match: October 21, 2005, Johannesburg (New Zealand won by 5 wickets)
Competitive Growth
Over the decades, both teams have evolved significantly, with South Africa being considered one of the most formidable teams, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s. New Zealand, often referred to as the “dark horse” of international cricket, steadily improved to become one of the most consistent performers in world cricket by the 2010s.
Head-to-Head Stats: Test Matches
Overall Record
In Test cricket, South Africa and New Zealand have faced off in 46 matches (as of 2023). South Africa has traditionally had the upper hand in this format, with a significantly better win-loss ratio.
- South Africa wins: 25
- New Zealand wins: 5
- Draws: 16
Notable Series Results
2004–05 Series in New Zealand
The 2004–05 series in New Zealand was one of the most competitive between the two teams, with both sides showing grit. New Zealand won the first Test in Auckland, which marked one of their rare victories over South Africa in the longest format.
- Series result: Drawn 1-1
2016–17 Series in New Zealand
Another memorable series occurred in 2016–17 when South Africa traveled to New Zealand for a three-match Test series. South Africa won the series 1-0, with two matches ending in draws.
- Top run-scorer (South Africa): Quinton de Kock, 267 runs
- Top run-scorer (New Zealand): Kane Williamson, 309 runs
- Top wicket-taker (South Africa): Kagiso Rabada, 15 wickets
- Top wicket-taker (New Zealand): Trent Boult, 12 wickets
Head-to-Head Stats: One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
Overall Record
The rivalry in ODIs is more balanced compared to Test cricket. Both teams have had their moments of dominance, and several matches between them have gone down to the wire.
- Total ODIs played: 71
- South Africa wins: 41
- New Zealand wins: 26
- No result: 4
Memorable ODI Encounters
2015 ICC World Cup Semi-final
One of the most iconic matches between these two teams came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final. In a rain-affected match in Auckland, New Zealand chased down a target of 298 in dramatic fashion, with Grant Elliott hitting a six off Dale Steyn in the penultimate ball to seal New Zealand’s place in the final.
- Result: New Zealand won by 4 wickets (DLS method)
- Top scorer (South Africa): Faf du Plessis, 82 runs
- Top scorer (New Zealand): Grant Elliott, 84* runs
- Key bowler (South Africa): Morne Morkel, 3/59
- Key bowler (New Zealand): Trent Boult, 2/53
2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy
In the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now known as the Champions Trophy), South Africa and New Zealand faced off in the final. New Zealand emerged victorious, winning their first major ICC tournament.
- Result: New Zealand won by 4 wickets
- Top scorer (South Africa): Jacques Kallis, 113 runs
- Top scorer (New Zealand): Chris Cairns, 102* runs
Head-to-Head Stats: Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
Overall Record
The T20I rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand is the most closely contested of all formats, with both teams showing equal proficiency in the shortest format of the game.
- Total T20Is played: 16
- South Africa wins: 11
- New Zealand wins: 5
Memorable T20I Encounters
2007 ICC World Twenty20
The two teams met in the inaugural 2007 ICC World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa. New Zealand won the group-stage encounter comfortably, which was a rare moment of dominance over South Africa in this format.
- Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets
- Top scorer (South Africa): Herschelle Gibbs, 45 runs
- Top scorer (New Zealand): Craig McMillan, 48 runs
- Key bowler (South Africa): Makhaya Ntini, 2/29
- Key bowler (New Zealand): Shane Bond, 3/30
2012 Series in South Africa
In the 2012 T20I series in South Africa, the hosts managed to clinch the series 2-1. The series was notable for some outstanding individual performances, especially by AB de Villiers, who consistently performed at the highest level in this format.
- Top scorer (South Africa): AB de Villiers, 128 runs across 3 matches
- Top scorer (New Zealand): Brendon McCullum, 95 runs across 3 matches
- Top wicket-taker (South Africa): Dale Steyn, 5 wickets
- Top wicket-taker (New Zealand): Nathan McCullum, 4 wickets
Batting Stats: Top Performers
Test Matches
Top Run-Scorers (All-Time)
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa): 1,978 runs in 24 matches at an average of 72.88
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 1,024 runs in 14 matches at an average of 44.52
- AB de Villiers (South Africa): 1,430 runs in 14 matches at an average of 66.00
Highest Individual Scores
- Graeme Smith (South Africa): 232 (Wellington, 2004)
- Brendon McCullum (New Zealand): 224 (Cape Town, 2014)
- Hashim Amla (South Africa): 176 (Centurion, 2012)
ODI Matches
Top Run-Scorers (All-Time)
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa): 1,383 runs in 34 matches at an average of 49.39
- AB de Villiers (South Africa): 1,257 runs in 23 matches at an average of 63.37
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 851 runs in 17 matches at an average of 56.73
Highest Individual Scores
- AB de Villiers (South Africa): 162 runs* (Sydney, 2015)
- Ross Taylor (New Zealand): 145 runs* (Hamilton, 2017)
- Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa): 143 runs (Cape Town, 2001)
T20I Matches
Top Run-Scorers (All-Time)
- AB de Villiers (South Africa): 413 runs in 9 matches at an average of 59.00
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 294 runs in 7 matches at an average of 49.00
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa): 275 runs in 6 matches at an average of 45.83
Highest Individual Scores
- AB de Villiers (South Africa): 79 runs* (Auckland, 2012)
- Brendon McCullum (New Zealand): 81 runs (Durban, 2007)
- Faf du Plessis (South Africa): 78 runs* (Centurion, 2015)
Bowling Stats: Top Performers
Test Matches
Top Wicket-Takers (All-Time)
- Dale Steyn (South Africa): 78 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.53
- Shaun Pollock (South Africa): 74 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 22.86
- Chris Martin (New Zealand): 49 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 31.02
Best Bowling Figures
- Dale Steyn (South Africa): 7/51 (Port Elizabeth, 2007)
- Chris Cairns (New Zealand): 6/77 (Johannesburg, 2000)
- Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): 6/32 (Wellington, 2017)
ODI Matches
Top Wicket-Takers (All-Time)
- Shaun Pollock (South Africa): 54 wickets in 34 matches at an average of 22.41
- Trent Boult (New Zealand): 41 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 20.29
- Morne Morkel (South Africa): 36 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 23.91
Best Bowling Figures
- Andre Nel (South Africa): 5/39 (Durban, 2006)
- Trent Boult (New Zealand): 5/40 (Auckland, 2015)
- Morne Morkel (South Africa): 5/32 (Hamilton, 2017)
T20I Matches
Top Wicket-Takers (All-Time)
- Dale Steyn (South Africa): 19 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 16.73
- Nathan McCullum (New Zealand): 10 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 19.20
- Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): 8 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 22.50
Best Bowling Figures
- Dale Steyn (South Africa): 4/17 (Auckland, 2012)
- Ish Sodhi (New Zealand): 3/18 (Durban, 2015)
- Wayne Parnell (South Africa): 3/25 (Johannesburg, 2009)
Conclusion: A Riveting Rivalry
The stats between South Africa and New Zealand highlight a fascinating rivalry that has spanned decades, across all formats. While South Africa has traditionally had the upper hand in Tests and ODIs, New Zealand has closed the gap significantly, especially in limited-overs cricket. The teams are well-matched in T20Is, providing some of the most exciting cricketing encounters in recent years.
This rivalry is not just about numbers; it’s about passion, grit, and the unrelenting pursuit of victory on both sides. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters between these two great cricketing nations as the game continues to evolve.
Also read – India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
