Australia vs South Africa Head to Head Records: Most Runs, Wickets and Highest Total

ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 Final Standings  

As the World Test Championship Final edges closer, the tension among fans is palpable as a matchup between Australia and South Africa promises to be a riveting affair. As the world gears up for the ‘Ultimate Test’ at the ‘Home of Cricket’ at Lord’s, here’s a look at the head to head record of Australia and South Africa against one another. 

Australia vs South Africa WTC Final 2024-25 Cycle Points Table

But on the other hand, South Africa only won one Test match against any of the nations that finished in the top 4 of the World Test Championship standings. Hence, there are doubts over South Africa’s candidacy to be legitimate Champions whereas Australia, a team that is familiar to winning having already won the Championship once before in 2023 where they beat India at ‘The Oval’, will take the field at Lord’s as heavy favourites. 

Australia vs South Africa Head to Head Records in All Formats

Australia and South Africa are expected to play a thrilling five match finale to decide the winner of the World Test Championship 2023-2025, at Lord’s from June 11th - June 15th. Taking a look at the Head to Head record of both sides throughout their history, Australia clearly has a dominant edge over South Africa having won more matches. Here’s a detailed look at the Head to Head rivalry. 

Australia vs South Africa Overall Head to Head Records

Australia and South Africa have played a total of 236 matches between each other across all three formats of the game throughout their history. Australia has a clear dominance over the Proteas winning 122 out of 236 matches, while South Africa only winning 89. Both sides have shared spoils with each other on 21 different occasions. 

Australia vs South Africa Head to Head in Tests 

Australia vs South Africa Head to Head in ODIs

Australia vs South Africa Head to Head in T20Is

Australia vs South Africa Head to Head Winning Percentage

Given that Australia has completely dominated the rivalry between the two nations they have a superior winning percentage. Australia holds a clear edge over South Africa with a win percentage of 51.69% across all formats. South Africa has managed 89 wins, while 21 matches have ended in draws and 3 were tied, showing a competitive rivalry over the years.

Australia vs South Africa Overall Winning Percentage

Australia vs South Africa Winning Percentage in Tests 

In Test cricket, Australia dominates with a 53.47% win rate from 101 matches. South Africa on the other hand has a winning percentage of only 37.71%.

Australia vs South Africa Winning Percentage in ODIs 

ODIs have been the most balanced format between the two, with South Africa slightly ahead at 50% win percentage. Australia follows closely with 46.36%, highlighting the intense and often thrilling nature of their 50-over clashes.

Australia vs South Africa Winning Percentage in T20Is

Australia has been the more dominant side in T20Is, winning 68% of the encounters. South Africa has a winning percentage of a meagre 32%. 

Australia vs South Africa Head to Head in Tests: at Different Venues

Australia and South Africa have played a total of 101 Test matches between each other throughout history, and have been one of the fiercest rivalries in Red Ball cricket. Here’s a breakdown of the Head to Head between Australia and South Africa at different venues. 

AUS vs SA Head to Head at Australia Venues

Australia and South Africa have played a total of 44 Test matches Down Under. Out of these 44 Test matches Australia have completely had the edge over the Proteas. Australia have won a total of 19 matches, while South Africa have won only 10. There have been 15 matches between the two sides that ended in a draw Down Under. 

SA vs AUS Head to Head at South Africa Venues

In the country of South Africa, the Kangaroos and the Proteas have played a total of 54 Tests against one another since 1902. Australia have completely dominated these away conditions, winning a total of 32 Tests on enemy soil. While, South Africa have only won 16 Tests on their home soil against Australia. Six out of these 54 matches have ended in a draw.  

AUS vs SA Head to Head At Neutral Venues

When South Africa and Australia lock horns with each other at the “Home of Cricket”, Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 11th, it will mark only the fourth time in history that the two teams will play a Test match against each other at a neutral venue. Last time they played at  a Neutral venue was 113 years ago in 1912 in England. They’ve played three matches at neutral venue, Australia winning 2, and South Africa winning 1. 

Australia vs South Africa Recent Five Matches in Test

In recent encounters, Australia and South Africa have showcased their competitive edge in Test cricket. The 2022–23 series in Australia saw the hosts dominate, clinching the series with two convincing wins and a draw. Notably, David Warner's double century in Melbourne and Travis Head's crucial 92 in Brisbane were standout performances. Earlier, during the 2018 series in South Africa, the Proteas displayed formidable prowess, securing significant victories in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with stellar contributions from AB de Villiers and Kagiso Rabada. These matches underscore the intense rivalry and high-caliber performances characteristic of Australia-South Africa Test encounters.

Australia Last Five Test Matches 

The last five Test matches Australia played were in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, down under. Australia emerged victorious in that series 4-1 and confirmed their place in the final of the World Test Championship against South Africa. 

South Africa Last Five Test Matches

While, Australia won four out of their five matches, South Africa will also be entering the World Test Championship final in imperious form. South Africa won all their last five games which included two Test matches against Pakistan, two against Sri Lanka and two against Bangladesh. 

Australia vs South Africa Top Performers in Tests

Top Run Scorers

1. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting leads the run-scoring charts for his country in Tests against South Africa, amassing 1,651 runs in 23 matches at an average of 48.55. Known for his authoritative stroke play and steely resolve, Ponting thrived against the Proteas’ fiery pace attacks. His standout moment came during the 2005–06 series when he struck twin centuries (120 and 143*) in the Sydney Test to guide Australia to a thrilling win. Ponting’s dominance against South Africa was emblematic of his larger-than-life presence in Australia’s middle order, and he often proved to be the difference-maker in tightly contested games.

2. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Jacques Kallis stands tall as South Africa’s highest run-getter in Test clashes against Australia, with 1,796 runs in 28 Tests at an average of 40.81. One of the most complete all-rounders in cricket history, Kallis combined elegant strokeplay with dogged resilience. His most memorable innings came in the 2012 Adelaide Test, where he scored a gritty 147 to help South Africa secure a draw. Kallis’ ability to absorb pressure and deliver in crunch situations made him a vital cog in South Africa’s batting engine, especially against the likes of McGrath, Warne, and Johnson.

Top Wicket Takers

1. Shane Warne (Australia)

Shane Warne remains Australia’s most prolific bowler in Tests against South Africa, with 61 wickets in 14 matches. Warne’s guile and mastery over spin made him a constant threat, even on seamer-friendly surfaces. His best performance came at Sydney in 1994, where he took 12 wickets in the match, bamboozling South African batsmen with drift, spin, and subtle variations. Warne’s psychological edge and match-winning spells ensured Australia frequently held the upper hand in this rivalry during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

2. Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Dale Steyn’s raw pace, reverse swing, and relentless aggression made him South Africa’s most successful bowler against Australia in Tests, with 70 wickets in 17 matches. Steyn’s impact was most vividly seen during the 2008 Perth Test, where he took 10 wickets in the match and led South Africa to a historic series win in Australia.His fiery spells often rattled the Australian top order, and his duels with players like Michael Cla rke and Ricky Ponting remain etched in memory. Steyn's ability to generate pace and movement on all surfaces made him a match-winner time and again in this classic rivalry.

Australia vs South Africa: Key Test Matches from History

2008 – Perth’s Power Shift:

South Africa stunned Australia at the WACA in 2008, chasing down 414 – the second-highest successful chase in Test history at the time. AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 106 and Graeme Smith’s 108 broke Australia’s home dominance.

2006 – Johannesburg Thriller:

Australia crushed South Africa by 7 wickets in the opening Test, but it was Ricky Ponting’s twin centuries (120 & 143*) that stole the show. It remains one of the finest captain’s performances in Test history.

2012 – Adelaide Blockathon:

Faf du Plessis played one of the grittiest innings in modern Test cricket – a marathon 110* on debut helped South Africa salvage a draw after being under the pump for four days.

2014 – Smith’s Farewell:

The 2014 Cape Town Test saw Michael Clarke and David Warner guide Australia to series victory, while South Africa bid farewell to captain Graeme Smith in an emotional exit from international cricket.

2018 – The Sandpaper Scandal:

The Cape Town Test became infamous for the ball-tampering scandal involving Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft. The incident shook Australian cricket to its core, resulting in lengthy bans and global headlines.

2022 – Gabba Mayhem:

Australia won a fiery contest on a green-top in Brisbane inside two days. The match drew criticism for the pitch, but Pat Cummins and the Australian pace attack blew South Africa away in a low-scoring thriller.

Australia vs South Africa 2025: Team Insights

Australia Team Insights World Test Championship Final 2025

The Pat Cummins led Australian Cricket Team will enter into the World Test Championship final in 2025 as the clear favourites to win the ICC maze. Australia are reigning and defending World Test Championship finalists, hence history is on their side. As always is the case, the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will be the decisive factors for Australia as they are the scariest pace attack in the world in red ball cricket at the moment. 

While, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will be the core of the Australian batting lineups resilience, it will once again be Travis Head’s performance that could decide whether Australia trump South Africa or not in the World Test Championship final.  

However, Australia have a key question mark over their side and that is of the opening spot. Since the retirement of David Warner, Australia haven’t been able to find a reliable partner for Usman Khawaja. The likes of Steve Smith, Sam Constas have all been tried to open but none impressed in the role. Hence, the pressure will  be on Usman Khawaja to give Australia a good start and there’s a weakness the Proteas can try and exploit.  
 

Australia Squad for World Test Championship Final 2025

Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett

South Africa Team Insights World Test Championship Final 2025

 South Africa led by Temba Bavuma will playing their first ever World Test Championship final and they have their task cut out against the all conquering Australia. However, South Africa have never won an ICC trophy in their history, and the nation is desperate to end their trophy drought in the final against Australia at Lord’s.  

South Africa have a settled unit with the likes of Ryan Rickleton, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zerzi, and Temba Bavuma all in decent knick with the bat heading into the tournament. Tristan Stubbs in once again expected to play a crucial role for South Africa as he is much like Travis Head is for Australia, the explosive anchor for the team. 

As far as the bowling is concerned, South Africa have a fearsome bowling with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen both capable of damaging any opposition batting unit. Additionally, the likes of Corbin Bosch and Lungi Ngidi could be a troublesome bowling attack, one that can exploit certain weaknesses in Australian batting lineup. The final is going to come down whichever teams bowls the finest and manages to hold their nerves. 

South Africa Squad for World Test Championship Final 2025

Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy