India and South Africa have one of the most competitive rivalries in modern One Day International cricket. Their ODI history began in 1991, shortly after South Africa returned to international cricket, and the two sides have since met in bilateral series, World Cups and other ICC tournaments. India vs South Africa Head-to-Head in ODI
As of September 2026, India and South Africa have played 97 ODIs. South Africa have won 52 matches, while India have won 42. Three matches have ended without a result, and there has been no tied ODI between the two teams.
India vs South Africa ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Category | India | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 97 | 97 |
| Wins | 42 | 52 |
| Losses | 52 | 42 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Results | 3 | 3 |
| Highest Team Total | 401 | 438 |
| Lowest Completed Total | 91 | 83 |
South Africa therefore hold the overall advantage, with a 52-42 win-loss record. The rivalry has been particularly competitive across different venues, although South Africa have historically performed strongly when playing at home. India vs South Africa Head-to-Head in ODI
How the Rivalry Began
India and South Africa first met in an ODI at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on November 10, 1991. The match was historically significant because it was South Africa’s first ODI after their return to international cricket. India won the match by three wickets.
Since then, the fixture has become a regular part of the international cricket calendar. The rivalry has featured legendary players from both countries, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn.
India vs South Africa Recent ODI Results
The most recent completed ODI series between India and South Africa took place in India in November-December 2025.
India won the first ODI in Ranchi by 17 runs after scoring 349/8. South Africa responded in the second ODI in Raipur, chasing India’s 358/5 and winning by four wickets. India then won the deciding third ODI in Visakhapatnam by nine wickets.
2025 ODI Series Results
| ODI | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI, Ranchi | India won by 17 runs |
| 2nd ODI, Raipur | South Africa won by 4 wickets |
| 3rd ODI, Visakhapatnam | India won by 9 wickets |
The series therefore ended 2-1 in India’s favour. The third match on December 6, 2025 remains the latest completed men’s ODI between the two teams as of September 2026.
The 2023 ODI Series
India and South Africa also played a three-match ODI series in South Africa in December 2023. India won the opening match in Johannesburg by eight wickets, South Africa won the second match in Gqeberha by eight wickets, and India took the series by winning the third match in Paarl by 78 runs.
2023 Series Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | India won by 8 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 3rd ODI | India won by 78 runs |
The 2023 series was therefore another 2-1 series victory for India.
India vs South Africa in the 2023 World Cup
One of the biggest recent matches between India and South Africa took place during the 2023 Cricket World Cup at Eden Gardens.
India produced a dominant performance, scoring 326/5 before dismissing South Africa for just 83. India won by 243 runs, one of the largest margins in the history of this rivalry.
That match was also notable for Virat Kohli, who scored a century on his birthday. India’s bowling attack then restricted South Africa’s powerful batting lineup to a low total.
India’s Historic 2018 Series Win
One of India’s most notable ODI achievements against South Africa came during the 2017-18 tour of South Africa.
India won the six-match ODI series 5-1. The series included victories at Durban, Centurion, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, with South Africa’s only win coming in the fourth ODI at Johannesburg.
Virat Kohli was one of the leading performers throughout the series, while India’s spin combination of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav caused significant problems for the South African batting lineup.
The series became an important milestone in India’s ODI cricket history because it was their first bilateral ODI series victory in South Africa.
Venue-Wise Head-to-Head Record
The overall numbers also change depending on where the matches have been played.
According to available historical records, India have won 20 of 35 ODIs played in India, while South Africa have won 15. In South Africa, the hosts have won 26 of 40 matches, compared with India’s 12, with two no-results. At neutral venues, South Africa have 11 victories and India 10, with one no-result.
| Venue | Matches | India Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 35 | 20 | 15 | 0 |
| South Africa | 40 | 12 | 26 | 2 |
| Neutral | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 |
| Total | 97 | 42 | 52 | 3 |
These figures demonstrate how venue has influenced the rivalry. South Africa’s home record against India has historically been considerably stronger than India’s record in South Africa.
Highest Team Totals
Both teams have produced very high scores against each other.
South Africa’s highest ODI total against India is 438, while India’s highest total against South Africa is 401.
South Africa’s 438 came during an extraordinary run-scoring performance in the famous 2015 ODI in Mumbai. AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis all scored centuries as South Africa posted one of the highest ODI totals ever recorded at that time.
India have also had major batting performances against South Africa. Their 401 remains their highest team total in this particular head-to-head fixture.
Memorable Players in the Rivalry
The India-South Africa ODI rivalry has featured numerous world-class players.
For India, Sachin Tendulkar was one of the most important batsmen during the early years of the rivalry. Virat Kohli later became one of India’s leading performers against South Africa.
South Africa have produced equally influential players. Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel all played major roles in different periods.
The rivalry has therefore combined technically accomplished batting with high-quality fast bowling and spin.
India vs South Africa: World Cup History
India and South Africa have met several times in the Cricket World Cup.
South Africa won their early World Cup meetings, while India have enjoyed important victories in more recent editions. Their 2023 World Cup encounter was particularly one-sided, with India winning by 243 runs.
World Cup matches between these teams have often attracted significant attention because both countries have traditionally fielded strong ODI squads.
Recent Head-to-Head Trend
The recent record has been more competitive than the overall historical numbers suggest. India won two of the three ODIs in the 2023 series and then won two of three matches in the 2025 series.
The 2025 series also showed the high-scoring nature of modern ODI cricket. India scored 349/8 in the first ODI and 358/5 in the second, while South Africa successfully chased 359 in Raipur.
The latest match in Visakhapatnam ended with India winning by nine wickets, completing the series 2-1.
Conclusion
India and South Africa have played 97 ODIs since their first meeting in 1991. South Africa have won 52, India have won 42, and three matches have ended without a result.
South Africa’s overall advantage has been built largely through their strong home record. India, however, have enjoyed significant success in recent bilateral series, including 2-1 series victories in both 2023 and 2025.
The rivalry continues to be defined by world-class batsmen, powerful bowling attacks, major World Cup encounters and closely fought bilateral series.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many ODIs have India and South Africa played?
India and South Africa have played 97 ODI matches against each other as of September 2026.
2. Who has won more ODIs between India and South Africa?
South Africa have won 52 matches, while India have won 42. Three matches have ended without a result.
3. When did India and South Africa first play an ODI?
Their first ODI was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 10, 1991. India won by three wickets. It was South Africa’s first ODI after their return to international cricket.
4. What was the result of the latest India vs South Africa ODI series?
India won the latest three-match ODI series 2-1 in November-December 2025. India won the first and third matches, while South Africa won the second.
5. What is the biggest ODI win between India and South Africa?
India’s 243-run victory over South Africa in the 2023 Cricket World Cup is one of the largest wins in the rivalry. India scored 326/5 before bowling South Africa out for 83.