There have been some unforgettable memories whenever India and South Africa have faced each other. Fans have witnessed some of the finest cricketing action whenever these two teams have played against each other. Both teams have approached the competition competitively. Both teams have been involved in some high-octane contests that will be remembered for a long time. There have been some exciting finishes in the past between these two teams. Alongside this, there have been some brilliant individual performances as well from players of both teams. In this piece, we discuss some of the most interesting contests from the past between these two outfits. South Africa re-entered International cricket from the Apartheid period in the 1990s. Their first match after their return to International cricket was against India in 1991, and this was the period when both teams looked competitive against each other. During the 21st century, the competitiveness between these teams reached another level, and so far, we have witnessed some of the finest matches of the highest standards between these two sides. We discuss some of those memorable contests between these two teams in detail:
1)1st ODI in Kolkata, Eden Gardens in November 1991
This was the first game after South Africa reappeared in International cricket after the apartheid period. This was the first ODI of the three-match ODI series. South Africa were bowled out for 177 in 47 overs, while India chased the target in 47 overs by 3 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar was the highest scorer, scoring 62 in 73 balls. It was a lip-smacking contest with plenty of surprises. India won the series 2-1.
2)Test series in South Africa in 1992-93
This test series was the first one against India after South Africa’s return to International cricket. The four-match test series was a close one as the Indian team looked determined with some impressive performances. However, the Proteas were always a favourite side as they were the hosts. South Africa won the series 1-0. The South African team looked spot on in all three departments. Former South African pacer Allan Donald won the player of the series award as he claimed 20 wickets in the entire test series.
3)Test series in South Africa in 1996-97- South Africa was undoubtedly the better team in the three-match test series. South Africa won the three-match test series 2-0 as they were playing in home conditions. Pacer Allan Donald was the nightmare for the Indian bowlers as he claimed 20 wickets in the entire series.
4) Test Series in India in 1996-97
Both teams approached the competition with equal competitiveness. India won the first test in Ahmedabad by 64 runs, while the Proteas made a strong comeback in the second test in Kolkata, winning the match by 329 runs. India won the third test in Kanpur by 280 runs. Indian pacer Javagal Srinath claimed 17 wickets in the entire series, while Mohammad Azharuddin scored 388 runs in the series.
5) Titan Cup final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in November 1996
India and South Africa made it to the final of the tri-series, which also consisted of Australia. Captain Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and chose to bat first. India scored 220/7 in 50 overs. South Africa were bowled out for 185 as former Indian spinner Anil Kumble claimed 4/25. South African pacer Allan Donald was the man of the series as he claimed 17 wickets in the tri-series.
6) India vs South Africa series 1999/2000
South Africa dominated the two-match test series under the captaincy of Hansie Cronje by winning the series 2-0. India came back strongly in the ODI series, winning it 3-2. India won the first ODI in Kochi by 3 wickets, chasing 302, which was a thrilling contest. The fourth ODI was equally exciting, where India won by 4 wickets in the last over. Sachin Tendulkar was the player of the series award, scoring 285 runs.
7) India vs South Africa series 2001
India visited South Africa in 2001 for a two-match test series. South Africa won the series 1-0, but some impressive performances from Indian batters Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, India managed to draw the second test at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. In the ODI tri series, India played against South Africa, which also included Kenya. India lost the final against South Africa.
8) India vs South Africa Champions Trophy 2002
India scored 261/8 in 50 overs in the first semi-final of the 2002 Champions Trophy at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag were the highest scorers for Team India, scoring 62 and 49 respectively. Herschelle Gibbs scored 116, but the opener was retired hurt and the game turned in India’s favour. Jacques Kallis scored 97. Harbhajan Singh took 2/37 while Virender Sehwag took 3/25, helping India win by 10 runs.
9) India vs South Africa series 2006/07
India visited South Africa for a three-match test series on this tour. India won the first test at Johannesburg with pacer S Sreesanth claiming 8 wickets in the entire match, helping India win the first test by 123 runs. Although South Africa won the next two matches and the series 2-1, the Indian team produced some gritty performances. Sourav Ganguly scored 214 runs for India in the entire test series while S Sreesanth claimed 18 wickets. The five ODI series was a one-sided affair as South Africa dominated the series 4-0.
10) India vs South Africa series 2008
South Africa toured India for a three-match test series in March 2008. The series witnessed high-action drama as the series ended in a 1-1 draw. The first test was drawn while South Africa won the second test. The third test was won by India. Virender Sehwag scored a sparkling 319 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, while AB de Villiers scored a brilliant 217 to help South Africa win the test. Virender Sehwag scored 372 runs in the entire series for India, while Neil McKenzie scored 341 runs. Harbhajan Singh claimed 19 wickets for India while Dale Steyn took 15 wickets.
11) South Africa in India in 2010
South Africa toured India for a two-match test series and a three-match ODI series in February 2010. The test series was drawn 1-1. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis scored 253 and 173, respectively to help South Africa win the first test at Nagpur. Centuries from Virender Sehwag (165), Sachin Tendulkar (106) and VVS Laxman (143*)helped India register an impressive win in the second test at Kolkata. The ODI series was won by India 2-1. The second ODI at Gwalior was a memorable one as Sachin Tendulkar scored a brilliant unbeaten 200, helping India score 401/3 and win by 153 runs.
12) India vs South Africa 2010-11 series
Team India visited South Africa and managed to draw the three-match test series 1-1. India lost the first test but made an impressive comeback in the second test at Durban, winning the game by 87 runs as VVS Laxman scored a gritty 96. India won the only T20I that was played at Durban and also managed to put up an impressive fight in the ODI series, although the team lost it 3-2.
13) India vs South Africa 2013-14 series
It was the last South African tour of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Emotions ran high amongst the Indian fans. Team India lost both the Test and ODI series.
14) India vs South Africa 2017-18 series-
Although Team India lost the test series 2-1, the men in blue made a solid comeback in the 6-match ODI series, winning it 5-1 and also the three-match T20I series 2-1. Virat Kohli scored 558 runs in the ODI series, with his 112 in the first ODI at Durban and a cracking 160 at Cape Town being sensational knocks. In the Cape Town ODI, India scored 303/6, winning it by 124 runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami both bowled well for Team India in the test series as Shami claimed 15 wickets in the test series.
15) India vs South Africa 2021-22 series
India’s tour to South Africa in 2021-22 was a forgettable one as India lost the three-match test series 2-1 and the three-match ODI series 2-1.KL Rahul scored a sublime knock of 123 to help India win by 123 runs at Centurion in the first test. In the second test at Johannesburg, the South African pacer registered figures of 4/31 and 3/67 helping South Africa win by 7 wickets. Shardul Thakur’s 7/61 in the first innings wasn’t helpful for team India. In the third test at Cape Town, Kagiso Rabada registered figures of 4/73 and 3/53 alongside Marco Jansen who registered figures of 3/55 and 4/36 to help South Africa make a brilliant comeback.
16) India vs South Africa 2023-24 series
India’s tour of South Africa in 2023-24 was a memorable one as team India won the three-match ODI series 2-1 and drew the two-match test series 1-1. The three-match T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw. In the first ODI, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh bowled brilliantly, registering figures of 5/37, helping team India win the match by 8 wickets while chasing a target of 117. In the third ODI at Boland Park, Paarl, Sanju Samson scored a brilliant 108, helping India score 296/8 in 50 overs and winning the match by 78 runs. Arshdeep Singh was once again on target with his length, registering figures of 4/30. In the second test at Cape Town, Mohammed Siraj (first innings) and Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliantly, registering figures of 6/16 and 6/61 (second innings), helping India win by 7 wickets.
17)Final of the 2024 T20 World Cup at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, West Indies
Team India scored 176/7 in 20 overs. Virat Kohli scored 76 while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube played handy knocks of 47 and 27, respectively. The South African team’s required rate was accelerating at one phase when Henrich Klaasen was smashing Indian bowlers all around the stadium. Proteas needed 6 off the last ball, but Suryakumar Yadav took in what would be remembered as one of the most spectacular catches in modern-day cricket to get rid of David Miller, helping India win the match as well as the T20 World Cup.