When it comes to the great Test rivalries in discussions with friends or other followers of the game of cricket, one soon realizes that one does not know everything. We might remember some great games or series results, but if you are not aware of their head-to-head records, timelines, records, team stats, and important players. Not having enough clear facts can be annoying, especially since South Africa vs. New Zealand in Test cricket has a rich history that is interesting to delve into.
The first-ever Test series between South Africa vs New Zealand took place in 1931-32 at AIM Stadium, Christchurch. In many ways, this series marked the opening salvos in what has traditionally been one of the most closely contested rivalries in world cricket, South Africans were decidedly the stronger of the two teams during the early years.
Interesting Facts: AIM Stadium, Christchurch, also previously known as Jade Stadium, Lancaster Park. First Test Match: 10/01/1930 Last Test Match: 07/12/2006
South Africa vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record in Test
South Africa vs New Zealand have played 49 times with each other in the Test format. Out of 15 matches, South Africa won 26, New Zealand won 7, and Draw 16.
| Total Matches | 49 |
| South Africa Won | 26 |
| New Zealand Won | 7 |
| South Africa Lost | 7 |
| New Zealand Lost | 26 |
| Draw | 16 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
SA vs NZ Head-to-Head Record at Home Ground in Test
South Africa Record at Home Ground Against New Zealand in Test
South Africa played twenty-five, Test matches against New Zealand at their home ground. South Africa won 17, New Zealand won 3, and Draw 5.
| Total Matches | 25 |
| South Africa Won | 17 |
| New Zealand won | 3 |
| South Africa Lost | 3 |
| New Zealand Lost | 17 |
| Draw | 5 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
Also read: WI vs SA Head to Head in Test | WI vs SA Head to Head in ODI
New Zealand at Home Ground Against South Africa in Test
New Zealand played twenty-four, Test matches against South Africa at their home ground. New Zealand won 4, South Africa won 9, and Draw 11.
| Total Matches | 24 |
| New Zealand Won | 4 |
| South Africa Won | 9 |
| New Zealand Lost | 9 |
| South Africa Lost | 4 |
| Draw | 11 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
SA vs NZ Head-to-Head Record at Away Ground in Test
No matches were played, between the South African and New Zealand national cricket teams.
| Total Matches | N/A |
| South Africa Won | N/A |
| New Zealand won | N/A |
| South Africa Lost | N/A |
| New Zealand Lost | N/A |
| Draw | N/A |
| Tied | N/A |
| No Result | N/A |
SA vs NZ: South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team stats & records in Test
Highest Score in SA vs NZ in Test
- The highest score in a South Africa vs New Zealand Test match is 621/5d (d, declare); achieved by South Africa in Eden Park, Auckland on 27 Feb 1999.
Fact: Eden Park is a sports stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, located three kilometers Southwest of the CBD, between Mount Eden and Kingsland. The capacity of the stadium is 50,000, and it is New Zealand’s national stadium.
Highest Score by SA Against NZ in Test
- The highest total of South Africa against New Zealand in a Test game is 621/5d; South Africa achieved this feat at Eden Park, Auckland on 27 Feb 1999.
Highest Score by NZ Against SA in Test
- New Zealand’s highest total against South Africa in the Tests is 595/10, which they made in Eden Park, Auckland on 18 Mar 2004.
Lowest Score in SA vs NZ in Test
- 45/10 is the lowest-ever total in an SA vs NZ Test match; this total was attained by New Zealand on 2 Jan 2013, at Newlands, Cape Town.
Lowest Score by SA Against NZ in Test
- South Africa’s lowest total in the Test against New Zealand is 95/10, recorded at AIM Stadium, Christchurch on 9 Jun 2009.
Lowest Score by NZ Against SA in Test
- The lowest score by New Zealand against South Africa in the Tests is 45/10, which they made at Newlands, Cape Town on 2 Jan 2013.
Also read: AFG Vs BAN Head to Head in ODI | India vs Bangladesh Head to Head in ODI
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team Stats: Individual Records in SA vs NZ Test
Most runs & Highest Score in South Africa vs New Zealand Test
Jacques Kallis scored the most runs in South Africa vs New Zealand Tests for South Africa against the Kiwis, while Stephen Fleming scored the most runs for New Zealand in Tests. Daryll Cullinan registered the highest score for a South African batsman representing the country against New Zealand in a Test. At the same time, Stephen Fleming did the same for the Kiwis against South Africa.
| Stats | SA | NZ |
| Most Run | Jacques Kallis (1543 runs) in 28 innings | Stephen Fleming (1072 runs) in 27 innings |
| Highest Scorer | Daryll Cullinan (275*) in 490 balls | Martin Guptill (262) in 423 balls |
Most Wickets & Best Bowling in South Africa vs New Zealand Test
Dale Steyn took the most wickets in the Tests against the Kiwis, while Chris Martin from New Zealand took the most scalps against South African batsmen in a Test match. Goofy Lawrence had the best bowling figure in an inning for a South African bowler against the Kiwis in Tests. At the same time, Matt Henry produced the best bowling figure for New Zealand against South Africa in a Test match.
| Stats | SA | NZ |
| Most Wickets | Dale Steyn (68) in 23 innings | Chris Martin (55) in 24 innings |
| Best Bowling | Goofy Lawrence (8/53) | Matt Henry (7/23) |
South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline: Test
Early Years: 1930s to 1950s
The first Test series between South Africa vs New Zealand came during the 1931-32 season. In some respects, that series marked the beginning of a growing rivalry between the two countries, but for many years, there was little doubt as to which of them was the stronger.
First Test Series:
- Date: 27 February–19 March 1932
- Venue: Aim, Christchurch
- Result: South Africa won by an innings and 12 runs
Key Performers:
- South Africa: Bruce Mitchell, 113 runs in the match
- New Zealand: Ted Badcock 69 runs in the match
1960s to 1980s: Period of Dominance
South Africa dominated the Kiwis in Test cricket from the 1960s into the 1980s. For much of this period, South Africa was isolated from international cricket due to apartheid, yet both before and afterward their ascendancy over New Zealand was marked.
2010s to Present: Even Contest
Test series between them in the last couple of years or so have been closely contested, with both teams enjoying successes. The rise of New Zealand as a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket added an extra edge to these encounters.
2022 Test Series in New Zealand:
- Dates: February 17–March 1, 2022
- Venue: AIM Stadium, Christchurch
- Result: Series drawn 1-1
Key Performers:
- South Africa: Kagiso Rabada (10 wickets in the series)
- New Zealand: Devon Conway (166 runs in the series)
Player of the series
- Matt Henry (14 wkts/58 runs)
| Date | Series | Ground | Result |
| 27/02/1932 | 1931-1932 New Zealand v. South Africa | AMI Stadium | South Africa won by an innings and 12 runs |
| 04/03/1932 | 1931-1932 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 06/03/1953 | 1952-1953 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | South Africa won by an innings and 180 runs |
| 13/03/1953 | 1952-1953 New Zealand v. South Africa | Eden Park | Match Drawn |
| 11/12/1953 | 1953-1954 South Africa v. New Zealand | Kingsmead | South Africa won by an innings and 58 runs |
| 24/12/1953 | 1953-1954 South Africa v. New Zealand | Ellis Park | South Africa won by 132 runs |
| 01/01/1954 | 1953-1954 South Africa v. New Zealand | Newlands | Match Drawn |
| 29/01/1954 | 1953-1954 South Africa v. New Zealand | Ellis Park | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 05/02/1954 | 1953-1954 South Africa v. New Zealand | St George’s Park | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
| 08/12/1961 | 1961-1962 South Africa v. New Zealand | Kingsmead | South Africa won by 30 runs |
| 26/12/1961 | 1961-1962 South Africa v. New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | Match Drawn |
| 01/01/1962 | 1961-1962 South Africa v. New Zealand | Newlands | New Zealand won by 72 runs |
| 02/02/1962 | 1961-1962 South Africa v. New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | South Africa won by an innings and 51 runs |
| 16/02/1962 | 1961-1962 South Africa v. New Zealand | St George’s Park | New Zealand won by 40 runs |
| 21/02/1964 | 1963-1964 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | Match Drawn |
| 28/02/1964 | 1963-1964 New Zealand v. South Africa | Carisbrook | Match Drawn |
| 13/03/1964 | 1963-1964 New Zealand v. South Africa | Eden Park | Match Drawn |
| 25/11/1994 | 1994-1995 South Africa v. New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | New Zealand won by 137 runs |
| 26/12/1994 | 1994-1995 South Africa v. New Zealand | Kingsmead | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 02/01/1995 | 1994-1995 South Africa v. New Zealand | Newlands | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| 04/03/1995 | 1994-1995 New Zealand v. South Africa | Eden Park | South Africa won by 93 runs |
| 27/02/1999 | 1998-1999 New Zealand v. South Africa | Eden Park | Match Drawn |
| 11/03/1999 | 1998-1999 New Zealand v. South Africa | AMI Stadium | Match Drawn |
| 18/03/1999 | 1998-1999 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 17/11/2000 | 2000-2001 South Africa v. New Zealand | Mangaung Oval | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
| 30/11/2000 | 2000-2001 South Africa v. New Zealand | St George’s Park | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| 08/12/2000 | 2000-2001 South Africa v. New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | Match Drawn |
| 10/03/2004 | 2003-2004 New Zealand v. South Africa | Seddon Park | Match Drawn |
| 18/03/2004 | 2003-2004 New Zealand v. South Africa | Eden Park | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| 26/03/2004 | 2003-2004 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | South Africa won by 6 wickets |
| 15/04/2006 | 2005-2006 South Africa v. New Zealand | SuperSport Park | South Africa won by 128 runs |
| 27/04/2006 | 2005-2006 South Africa v. New Zealand | Newlands | Match Drawn |
| 05/05/2006 | 2005-2006 South Africa v. New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | South Africa won by 4 wickets |
| 08/11/2007 | 2007-2008 South Africa v. New Zealand | Wanderers Stadium | South Africa won by 358 runs |
| 16/11/2007 | 2007-2008 South Africa v. New Zealand | SuperSport Park | South Africa won by an innings and 59 runs |
| 07/03/2012 | 2011-2012 New Zealand v. South Africa | University Oval | Match Drawn |
| 15/03/2012 | 2011-2012 New Zealand v. South Africa | Seddon Park | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 23/03/2012 | 2011-2012 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | Match Drawn |
| 02/01/2013 | 2012-2013 South Africa v. New Zealand | Newlands | South Africa won by an innings and 27 runs |
| 11/01/2013 | 2012-2013 South Africa v. New Zealand | St George’s Park | South Africa won by an innings and 193 runs |
| 19/08/2016 | 2016-2017 South Africa v. New Zealand | Kingsmead | Match Drawn |
| 27/08/2016 | 2016-2017 South Africa v. New Zealand | SuperSport Park | South Africa won by 204 runs |
| 08/03/2017 | 2016-2017 New Zealand v. South Africa | University Oval | Match Drawn |
| 16/03/2017 | 2016-2017 New Zealand v. South Africa | Basin Reserve | South Africa won by 8 wickets |
| 24/03/2017 | 2016-2017 New Zealand v. South Africa | Seddon Park | Match Drawn |
| 17/02/2022 | 2021-2022 New Zealand v. South Africa | Hagley Oval | New Zealand won by an innings and 276 runs |
| 25/02/2022 | 2021-2022 New Zealand v. South Africa | Hagley Oval | South Africa won by 198 runs |
| 04/02/2024 | 2023-2024 New Zealand v. South Africa | Bay Oval | New Zealand won by 281 runs |
| 13/02/2024 | 2023-2024 New Zealand v. South Africa | Seddon Park | New Zealand won by 7 wickets |
Also read: IND vs ZIM Head to Head in Test | IND vs SA Head to Head in T20
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard: Last Five Tests Matches
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard
13-16 Feb 2024:
- Seddon Park, Hamilton
- South Africa won the toss, elected to bat
- South Africa 242/10 & 235/10
- New Zealand 211/10 & 269/3
- Kiwis won by 7 wkts
- Man of the Match- William O’Rourke (5/24 wkts)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard
4-7 Feb 2024:
- Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- South Africa won the toss, elected to field
- South Africa 511/10 & 179/4d
- New Zealand 162/10 & 247/10
- Kiwis won by 281 runs
- Man of the Match- Rachin Ravindra (240 runs & 2/16 wkts)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard
25 Feb-1Mar 2022:
- AMI, Christchurch
- South Africa won the toss, elected to field
- South Africa 364/10 & 354/9d
- New Zealand 293/10 & 227/10
- South Africa won by 198 runs
- Man of the Match- Kagiso Rabada (5/60 wkts, 47 runs & 3/46 wkts)
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard
17-19 Feb 2022:
- AMI, Christchurch
- New Zealand won the toss, elected to bat
- South Africa 95/10 & 111/10
- New Zealand 482/10
- New Zealand won by an innings and 276 runs
- Man of the Match- Matt Henry (7/23 wkts, 58* runs & 2/32 wkts)
Also read: IND vs SA Head to Head in Test | IND vs SA Head to Head in ODI
South Africa national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard
25-29 Mar 2017:
- Seddon Park, Hamilton
- South Africa won the toss, elected to bat
- South Africa 314/10 & 80/5
- New Zealand 489/10
- Match Drawn
- Man of the Match- Kane Williamson (176 runs)
