Dive into the captivating rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team, a clash that embodies the essence of cricket’s unpredictability and skill. This matchup pits Sri Lanka’s masterful spin wizards against South Africa’s relentless pace battery, creating tactical battles that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Key players like Wanindu Hasaranga, with his deceptive leg-spin, challenge South African batters such as Aiden Markram, while Kagiso Rabada’s fiery bouncers test Sri Lankan openers like Pathum Nissanka. Iconic moments abound, from Kusal Perera’s heroic 153 not out in the 2019 Durban Test, securing a one-wicket victory and Sri Lanka’s historic series win in South Africa—the first by an Asian team—to South Africa’s dominant displays in limited-overs, like their record-breaking 428 in the 2023 ODI World Cup. These encounters highlight batting depth versus bowling variety, with DRS decisions often turning the tide in tense chases or defensive stands.
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Scorecards are treasures for cricket enthusiasts, allowing deep dives into strategies, such as how Sri Lanka exploits turning tracks or South Africa dominates bouncy pitches, and individual performances under pressure. They reveal patterns, like South Africa’s home dominance in Tests versus Sri Lanka’s resilience in spin-friendly conditions. With 2025 trends emphasizing all-rounders in events like the ICC Champions Trophy—though Sri Lanka missed qualification, their ODI form showed promise—emerging talents like Kamindu Mendis add fresh excitement. For staying updated, apps like Cricbuzz offer live scores seamlessly, enhancing your viewing without hassle. This article compiles detailed scorecards from recent clashes up to 2025, providing insights into this enthralling rivalry.
Latest Matches
These are the most recent encounters between Sri Lanka and South Africa across formats from 2023 to 2025, showcasing South Africa’s recent edge in key games. The 2024-25 Test series highlighted pace dominance, while the 2024 T20 World Cup clash was a low-scoring thriller.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | South Africa Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC World Test Championship | Gqeberha | Dec 5, 2024 | South Africa (bat) | 295 & 193 (58.3 ov) | 358 & 241/7d (73 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 109 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Kyle Verreynne (SA) |
| ICC World Test Championship | Durban | Nov 27, 2024 | Sri Lanka (field) | 42 (12.3 ov) & 201 (58.4 ov) | 191 (53.5 ov) & 285/5d (75 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 233 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Dane Paterson (SA) |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | New York | Jun 3, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 77 (19.1 ov) | 80/4 (16.2 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 6 wkts | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Anrich Nortje (SA) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Delhi | Oct 7, 2023 | Sri Lanka (field) | 326 (44.5 ov) | 428/5 (50 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 102 runs | ICC Cricket World Cup | Aiden Markram (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 14, 2021 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 120/8 (20 ov) | 121/0 (14.4 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 10 wkts | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Quinton de Kock (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 12, 2021 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 103 (18.1 ov) | 105/1 (14.1 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 9 wkts | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Tabraiz Shamsi (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 1st T20I | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 10, 2021 | South Africa (field) | 135/6 (20 ov) | 163/5 (20 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 28 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | David Miller (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 7, 2021 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 203/9 (50 ov) | 125 (30 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 78 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Dushmantha Chameera (SL) |
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Last 10 T20I Matches
Sri Lanka and South Africa have clashed 17 times in T20Is, with SA leading 11-5 (1 tie). Recent games favor SA, but SL’s upsets add spice.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | South Africa Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | New York | Jun 3, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 77 (19.1 ov) | 80/4 (16.2 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 6 wkts | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Anrich Nortje (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 14, 2021 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 120/8 (20 ov) | 121/0 (14.4 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 10 wkts | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Quinton de Kock (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 12, 2021 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 103 (18.1 ov) | 105/1 (14.1 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 9 wkts | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Tabraiz Shamsi (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 1st T20I | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 10, 2021 | South Africa (field) | 135/6 (20 ov) | 163/5 (20 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 28 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Aiden Markram (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 3rd T20I | Johannesburg | Mar 24, 2019 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 198/2 (20 ov) | 137 (15.4 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 45 runs (D/L method, target 183) | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Isuru Udana (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2nd T20I | Centurion | Mar 22, 2019 | Sri Lanka (field) | 164/8 (20 ov) | 180/6 (20 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 16 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | JP Duminy (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 1st T20I | Cape Town | Mar 19, 2019 | Sri Lanka (field) | 134/7 (20 ov) | 134/8 (20 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won in super over | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | David Miller (SA) |
| World T20 | Delhi | Mar 28, 2016 | Sri Lanka (field) | 122/1 (17.4 ov) | 120 (19.3 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 9 wkts | World T20 | Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I | Hambantota | Aug 6, 2013 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 163/3 (20 ov) | 164/4 (18.1 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 6 wkts | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Faf du Plessis (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I | Hambantota | Aug 4, 2013 | South Africa (field) | 145/6 (20 ov) | 123/7 (20 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 22 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Thisara Perera (SL) |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
In 82 ODIs, SA leads 46-34 (1 tie, 1 NR). Recent tilts toward SA, but SL’s home wins persist.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | South Africa Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Delhi | Oct 7, 2023 | Sri Lanka (field) | 326 (44.5 ov) | 428/5 (50 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 102 runs | ICC Cricket World Cup | Aiden Markram (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 7, 2021 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 203/9 (50 ov) | 125 (30 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 78 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Maheesh Theekshana (SL) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 4, 2021 | Sri Lanka (field) | 197 (36.4 ov) | 283/6 (47 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 67 runs (D/L method) | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Janneman Malan (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 1st ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 2, 2021 | South Africa (field) | 300/9 (50 ov) | 286/6 (50 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 14 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Avishka Fernando (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 5th ODI | Cape Town | Mar 16, 2019 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 225 (49.3 ov) | 135/2 (28 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 41 runs (D/L method) | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Aiden Markram (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 4th ODI | Port Elizabeth | Mar 13, 2019 | South Africa (field) | 189 (39.2 ov) | 190/4 (32.5 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 6 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Anrich Nortje (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 3rd ODI | Durban | Mar 10, 2019 | Sri Lanka (field) | 121/5 (24 ov) | 331/5 (50 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 71 runs (D/L method) | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Quinton de Kock (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2nd ODI | Centurion | Mar 6, 2019 | Sri Lanka (field) | 138 (32.2 ov) | 251 (45.1 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 113 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Faf du Plessis (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 1st ODI | Johannesburg | Mar 3, 2019 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 231 (47 ov) | 232/2 (38.5 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 8 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Imran Tahir (SA) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 5th ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Aug 12, 2018 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 299/8 (50 ov) | 121 (24.4 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 178 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Suranga Lakmal (SL) |
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Last 10 Test Matches
In 34 Tests, SA leads 18-11 (5 draws). SL’s 2019 series win was landmark.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | South Africa Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC World Test Championship | Gqeberha | Dec 5, 2024 | South Africa (bat) | 295 (82.1 ov) & 193 (58.3 ov) | 358 (101 ov) & 241/7d (73 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 109 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Kyle Verreynne (SA) |
| ICC World Test Championship | Durban | Nov 27, 2024 | Sri Lanka (field) | 42 (12.3 ov) & 201 (58.4 ov) | 191 (53.5 ov) & 285/5d (75 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 233 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Dane Paterson (SA) |
| ICC World Test Championship | Johannesburg | Jan 3, 2021 | Sri Lanka (field) | 157 (40.3 ov) & 211 (61.5 ov) | 302 (75.4 ov) & 67/0 (13.2 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 10 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Dean Elgar (SA) |
| ICC World Test Championship | Centurion | Dec 26, 2020 | South Africa (bat) | 396 (96 ov) & 180 (46.1 ov) | 621 (142.1 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by an innings and 45 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Faf du Plessis (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Port Elizabeth | Feb 21, 2019 | Sri Lanka (field) | 154 (37 ov) & 138/3 (37 ov) | 222 (61.2 ov) & 128 (44.4 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 8 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Kusal Mendis (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Durban | Feb 13, 2019 | South Africa (bat) | 235 (59.4 ov) & 304/9 (85.3 ov) | 191 (59.2 ov) & 259 (79.1 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 1 wkt | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Kusal Perera (SL) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | Jul 20, 2018 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 338 (104.1 ov) & 275/5d (81 ov) | 124 (34.5 ov) & 290 (86.5 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 199 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Dimuth Karunaratne (SL) |
| South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Galle | Jul 12, 2018 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 287 (78.4 ov) & 190 (57.4 ov) | 126 (54.3 ov) & 73 (28.5 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 278 runs | South Africa tour of Sri Lanka | Dimuth Karunaratne (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Johannesburg | Jan 12, 2017 | South Africa (bat) | 131 (42.3 ov) & 177 (42.3 ov) | 426 (119.1 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by an innings and 118 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Kagiso Rabada (SA) |
| Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Cape Town | Jan 2, 2017 | Sri Lanka (field) | 297 (83.5 ov) & 130 (31.5 ov) | 507/1d (139 ov) & – | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 282 runs | Sri Lanka tour of South Africa | Dean Elgar (SA) |
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Rivalry Summary
This rivalry blends SA’s pace might with SL’s spin craft, with 133 matches across formats (SA 75 wins, SL 53). SL’s 2019 Test series triumph remains iconic, boosting Asian cricket. Stats show SA’s ODI edge (46-34), but SL leads in T20 surprises.
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Conclusion
The Sri Lanka vs South Africa rivalry captures cricket’s drama, from epic Test battles to explosive limited-overs fireworks. Its significance lies in contrasting styles—pace vs spin—fostering global appeal. Emerging players like Kamindu Mendis for SL, blending aggression with technique amid 2025 trends post-Champions Trophy, and Dewald Brevis for SA, promise thrilling futures.
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