Pakistan vs South Africa is an intriguing Test rivalry that has produced several memorable matches since the teams first met in 1995. South Africa have generally dominated the overall record, particularly in home conditions, while Pakistan have enjoyed greater success when playing at home and in the UAE. Pakistan vs south africa head to head in test
As of September 2026, Pakistan and South Africa have played 32 Test matches. South Africa have won 18, Pakistan have won 7, and 7 matches have been drawn. The latest bilateral Test series took place in Pakistan in October 2025 and ended 1-1.
Pakistan vs South Africa Test Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Pakistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Tests played | 32 | 32 |
| Wins | 7 | 18 |
| Losses | 18 | 7 |
| Draws | 7 | 7 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| First Test | 1995 | 1995 |
| Most recent Test | 2025 | 2025 |
South Africa therefore have a substantial advantage in the overall Test rivalry. Pakistan vs south africa head to head in test
First Test Between Pakistan and South Africa
Pakistan and South Africa first met in Test cricket in January 1995 at Johannesburg.
South Africa won that historic Test by 324 runs, immediately establishing their strength in home conditions. It was the beginning of a rivalry in which South Africa would become particularly difficult for Pakistan to beat on South African pitches.
Pakistan’s challenge was made more difficult by South Africa’s combination of pace, bounce and disciplined batting.
South Africa’s Early Dominance
The early years of the rivalry strongly favored South Africa.
When Pakistan toured South Africa during the 1990s and early 2000s, the hosts regularly used fast and bouncy pitches to their advantage. Pakistan, meanwhile, relied heavily on players such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
South Africa had outstanding players of their own, including Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten and Hansie Cronje.
The contrast between Pakistan’s unpredictable style and South Africa’s disciplined approach made the contests fascinating.
Pakistan’s First Major Successes
Pakistan eventually began to make an impact against South Africa.
One of their notable victories came during the 2003-04 series in Pakistan, when Pakistan won one of the two Tests and the other ended in a draw. The result demonstrated that South Africa were not unbeatable outside their home conditions.
Pakistan’s success became more noticeable in Asian conditions, where their spinners and experienced batsmen could exert greater control.
Pakistan vs South Africa in the UAE
The UAE became an important venue in this rivalry during the period when Pakistan played home cricket there.
The teams played two Tests in the UAE in 2010-11, with both matches ending in draws.
In the 2013-14 series, however, South Africa won one Test and Pakistan won one, producing a 1-1 series result.
These matches demonstrated how competitive Pakistan could be away from South Africa.
Pakistan’s 2021 Test Series Victory
One of the most important chapters in the rivalry came in 2021, when South Africa toured Pakistan for two Tests.
Pakistan won the first Test in Karachi by seven wickets and then won the second Test in Rawalpindi by 95 runs.
Pakistan therefore completed a 2-0 series victory.
The series was historically significant because South Africa had returned to Pakistan for a Test series after a long absence.
Pakistan’s spinners and home conditions played an important role in the victory.
Babar Azam’s Role
Babar Azam became an important batsman for Pakistan during the modern phase of the rivalry.
The Pakistan captain produced several important performances against South Africa, particularly during the 2021 series and later encounters.
The PCB noted that Babar scored 315 runs in four World Test Championship matches against South Africa, including four half-centuries, before the 2025 home series.
His ability to handle both pace and spin made him a central figure in Pakistan’s batting lineup.
South Africa’s Pace Attack
South Africa have traditionally possessed one of the strongest fast-bowling traditions in Test cricket.
Against Pakistan, bowlers such as:
- Allan Donald
- Shaun Pollock
- Dale Steyn
- Morne Morkel
- Kagiso Rabada
- Marco Jansen
have played important roles.
The combination of pace and bounce in South Africa has frequently troubled Pakistan’s batsmen.
In the modern era, Kagiso Rabada has become one of South Africa’s most important bowlers in the rivalry.
Pakistan’s Bowling Strength
Pakistan have also produced several outstanding bowlers against South Africa.
Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were major threats during the 1990s. Later, Pakistan relied on bowlers such as Dale Steyn’s counterpart in terms of influence, Mohammad Asif, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Noman Ali.
The 2021 series was particularly notable for Pakistan’s spin bowling.
In the first Test of the 2025 series, Noman Ali again played a decisive role as Pakistan defeated South Africa by 93 runs.
2024-25 South Africa vs Pakistan Test Series
South Africa hosted Pakistan for two Tests in December 2024 and January 2025.
This series was completely dominated by the hosts.
South Africa won the first Test at Centurion by two wickets and then won the second Test at Cape Town by 10 wickets.
South Africa therefore completed a 2-0 series victory.
The Cape Town Test was particularly memorable because Pakistan were forced to follow on after being bowled out for 194 in their first innings. They fought back strongly with 478 in their second innings, but South Africa needed only 58 runs to win.
2025 Pakistan vs South Africa Test Series
The teams met again in Pakistan in October 2025 for a two-Test series.
Pakistan won the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, by 93 runs. Noman Ali was named Player of the Match, while Pakistan’s spinners played a major role in defending the target of 277.
South Africa responded in the second Test at Rawalpindi.
The visitors won by eight wickets, with Simon Harmer taking eight wickets in the match. The result meant the series finished 1-1.
Pakistan vs South Africa at Home
Pakistan have traditionally performed much better against South Africa on home soil.
According to the PCB’s pre-series figures in 2025, Pakistan had played 13 Tests against South Africa in Pakistan and the UAE, winning four, while South Africa had won three and six had been drawn.
The 2021 2-0 series win was especially significant.
Pakistan’s ability to use slow pitches and spin bowling has often reduced South Africa’s advantage in pace.
Pakistan vs South Africa in South Africa
South Africa have been significantly more successful at home.
Pakistan have never won a Test series in South Africa. South Africa’s fast bowlers have generally enjoyed the conditions, while Pakistan’s batsmen have struggled against the combination of pace, bounce and movement.
The statistics underline the difference: South Africa have won many more Tests than Pakistan in the overall rivalry.
Highest Team Totals
South Africa’s highest score against Pakistan is 620/7 declared, recorded at Newlands in 2003.
Pakistan’s highest score against South Africa is 478, which they made during the 2025 Cape Town Test after being asked to follow on.
The figures show that both teams have produced huge batting performances, although South Africa have generally been more consistent.
Biggest Victory
South Africa’s first-ever Test victory over Pakistan remains one of their biggest margins, as they won the 1995 Johannesburg Test by 324 runs.
Pakistan’s memorable victories include their 2021 seven-wicket win in Karachi, 95-run victory in Rawalpindi, and the 93-run win over South Africa in Lahore in 2025.
Important Players in the Rivalry
Pakistan
Some of Pakistan’s most influential Test players against South Africa include:
- Wasim Akram
- Waqar Younis
- Inzamam-ul-Haq
- Saeed Anwar
- Mohammad Yousuf
- Babar Azam
- Yasir Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Noman Ali
South Africa
South Africa’s major figures include:
- Allan Donald
- Shaun Pollock
- Jacques Kallis
- Gary Kirsten
- Dale Steyn
- Hashim Amla
- AB de Villiers
- Kagiso Rabada
- Faf du Plessis
- Keshav Maharaj
These players have helped define different generations of the Pakistan-South Africa Test rivalry.
World Test Championship Rivalry
Pakistan and South Africa have also met several times in the ICC World Test Championship.
Before their 2025 series, both teams had played four WTC Tests against each other, winning two apiece. Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan had been among the leading Pakistani batsmen in those encounters.
South Africa went on to become the 2023-25 World Test Championship champions, making their 2025 tour of Pakistan particularly significant.
Overall Test Series Record
The historical series record shows a clear South African advantage.
| Period | Series Result |
|---|---|
| 1994-95 | South Africa won 1-0 |
| 1997-98 in Pakistan | South Africa won 1-0 |
| 1997-98 in South Africa | South Africa won 1-0 |
| 2002-03 | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 2003-04 | Pakistan won 1-0 |
| 2006-07 | South Africa won 2-1 |
| 2007-08 | South Africa won 1-0 |
| 2010-11 | 2-2? |
| 2012-13 | South Africa won 3-0 |
| 2013-14 | 1-1 draw |
| 2018-19 | South Africa won 3-0 |
| 2020-21 | Pakistan won 2-0 |
| 2024-25 | South Africa won 2-0 |
| 2025-26 | 1-1 draw |
The overall match record is more reliable than simplified series summaries because some series contained drawn Tests and the UAE was used as a neutral venue.
Who Has the Better Test Record?
South Africa clearly have the better overall Test record.
They have won 18 of the 32 Tests, compared with Pakistan’s seven victories. Seven matches have been drawn.
However, the rivalry becomes much closer when played in Pakistan or UAE conditions.
Pakistan’s two-Test victories in the 2020-21 home series and their 2025 Lahore victory show that South Africa can be challenged when conditions favor Pakistan’s spinners.
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs South Africa Test head-to-head record favors South Africa. The teams have played 32 Tests, with South Africa winning 18, Pakistan winning seven and seven matches ending in draws.
South Africa’s dominance has been particularly strong on home soil, where their fast bowlers have often exploited pace and bounce. Pakistan, however, have been much more successful in Asian conditions, highlighted by their 2-0 victory in 2021.
The latest chapter came in 2025, when Pakistan and South Africa played another two-Test series in Pakistan. Pakistan won the Lahore Test by 93 runs, while South Africa won in Rawalpindi by eight wickets, leaving the series tied 1-1.
With two teams possessing rich bowling traditions and several world-class players, Pakistan vs South Africa remains an important Test rivalry.
5 FAQs
1. How many Tests have Pakistan and South Africa played?
Pakistan and South Africa have played 32 Test matches. South Africa have won 18, Pakistan have won seven and seven have been drawn.
2. Who has won more Pakistan vs South Africa Tests?
South Africa have won more, with 18 victories compared with Pakistan’s seven.
3. When did Pakistan and South Africa first play a Test?
Their first Test was played in January 1995 in Johannesburg, where South Africa won by 324 runs.
4. When did Pakistan last beat South Africa in a Test?
Pakistan’s most recent Test victory came in October 2025, when they defeated South Africa by 93 runs in Lahore.
5. When did Pakistan and South Africa last play a Test series?
Their latest Test series was in October 2025 in Pakistan. The two-match series ended 1-1, with Pakistan winning in Lahore and South Africa winning in Rawalpindi.