Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Stats

The statistical rivalry between Zimbabwe and South Africa spans Tests, ODIs and T20Is, with South Africa holding a substantial advantage across the overall head-to-head record. The teams first met in international cricket in the early 1990s, and their contests have included World Cup matches, bilateral series and several memorable individual performances. South Africa have remained unbeaten against Zimbabwe in Tests, while their ODI record includes only two Zimbabwean victories. The T20I rivalry has also been dominated by South Africa, although Zimbabwe have produced competitive matches in recent years. The 2025 Test series in Bulawayo added another significant chapter when South Africa won both matches, including an innings-and-236-run victory in the second Test. The latest T20I meetings in 2026 have extended South Africa’s winning run. This article breaks down the major head-to-head numbers, batting records, bowling statistics, team totals and recent results.

Head-to-Head Stats

Test Head-to-Head Record

Zimbabwe and South Africa have played nine Tests according to the latest head-to-head record, with South Africa winning eight and one match ending in a draw. Zimbabwe have yet to win a Test against South Africa.

The teams’ broader Test series history includes 11 completed scheduled Tests, with South Africa winning 10 and one ending in a draw according to series records that include all fixtures through 2025.

The difference comes from how different statistical databases classify certain historical fixtures, so individual records should be checked against the relevant format and match list.

ODI Head-to-Head Record

South Africa have dominated the ODI matchup. In 41 recorded meetings, South Africa have won 38, Zimbabwe have won two and one match produced no result.

Zimbabwe’s two ODI victories are therefore particularly significant because they represent only a small fraction of the teams’ completed encounters.

T20I Head-to-Head Record

The T20I record has also favored South Africa. Through the 2026 meetings, South Africa have won all of the completed matches between the teams, with one earlier encounter ending without a result in records covering the period through 2025.

Recent 2026 meetings added three more South African victories, with South Africa defeating Zimbabwe by five wickets on March 1 and then winning three consecutive T20Is in August and September.

Batting Statistics

The rivalry has featured some of the finest batters from both countries.

Test Batting

Jacques Kallis is South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer against Zimbabwe, while Andy Flower is the leading Zimbabwean batter in this matchup.

Kallis’ contribution reflects the era when South Africa developed into one of Test cricket’s strongest teams. Flower, meanwhile, was central to Zimbabwe’s best period in international cricket and remains one of the country’s most accomplished Test batters.

ODI Batting

Herschelle Gibbs leads South Africa’s ODI run-scoring against Zimbabwe, while Brendan Taylor is Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in the matchup.

The presence of Gibbs and Taylor at the top of the respective lists reflects the longevity of the rivalry across different generations.

T20I Batting

JP Duminy leads South Africa’s T20I run-scoring against Zimbabwe in the available historical statistics, while Justice Chibhabha is Zimbabwe’s leading scorer.

Bowling Statistics

Test Bowling

Shaun Pollock is South Africa’s leading Test wicket-taker against Zimbabwe, while Bryan Strang occupies the corresponding position for Zimbabwe.

Pollock’s record is consistent with South Africa’s broader dominance in the fixture. Strang’s position is particularly notable because Zimbabwe’s strongest periods against South Africa generally required their bowling attack to create pressure against a much deeper South African batting lineup.

ODI Bowling

Imran Tahir leads South Africa’s ODI wicket-taking against Zimbabwe, while Prosper Utseya is Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker in the matchup.

Tahir’s leg-spin became an important weapon for South Africa during the middle overs, while Utseya played a major role for Zimbabwe during a long period of limited-overs cricket.

T20I Bowling

Imran Tahir also leads South Africa’s T20I wicket-taking against Zimbabwe in the available record. Prosper Utseya is again Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker.

Highest Team Totals

South Africa have generally produced substantially larger scores in this matchup.

Test Cricket

One of the biggest recent totals came in the second Test at Bulawayo in July 2025. South Africa declared at 626/5, with stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder making 367 not out.

The 626/5 was particularly remarkable because Mulder’s 367 not out was the highest individual score by a South African batter in Test cricket. He declared before attempting to reach Brian Lara’s world-record 400.

ODI Cricket

South Africa have also produced the larger ODI totals in this fixture. Their superior batting depth has often allowed them to accelerate considerably during the final overs.

Zimbabwe’s highest ODI totals against South Africa have generally come when their top order survives the new-ball period and builds partnerships rather than relying on one individual innings.

Lowest Team Totals

Zimbabwe’s struggles against South Africa have occasionally resulted in very low totals, particularly in Test cricket.

In the first Test of the 2025 series, Zimbabwe scored 251 in their first innings and 208 in their second. South Africa won by 328 runs.

The second Test was even more one-sided. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 170 in the first innings and 220 in the second, resulting in an innings-and-236-run defeat.

These results demonstrate the difference between the sides’ batting depth and bowling resources during the 2025 Test series.

Top Individual Scores

Wiaan Mulder’s 367 Not Out

The standout recent individual performance came from South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder in the second Test at Bulawayo in July 2025.

Mulder reached 367 not out before South Africa declared at 626/5. He was only 34 runs away from Brian Lara’s Test record of 400 when he ended the innings.

His innings became:

• The highest Test score by a South African.
• The fifth-highest individual Test score at the time.
• One of the biggest individual scores ever recorded in Test cricket.
• A major part of South Africa’s innings-and-236-run victory.

Mulder also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets in the match.

Historical Batting Leaders

Best Bowling Performances

South Africa’s bowling record has played a major role in their overall dominance.

The 2025 Test series showed how South Africa could combine pace and spin to repeatedly break Zimbabwe’s batting partnerships. In the second Test, Corbin Bosch took 4/38 in Zimbabwe’s second innings, while Senuran Muthusamy claimed three wickets.

Major Tournament Meetings

1992 World Cup

South Africa and Zimbabwe met in the 1992 Cricket World Cup at Canberra. South Africa won by seven wickets. This match is significant because it came during Zimbabwe’s early World Cup era and represented one of their first encounters with South Africa on the global tournament stage.

World Cup Rivalry

The teams have met in several major limited-overs competitions, but the overall results have remained heavily weighted toward South Africa.

Zimbabwe’s two ODI victories are therefore historically important. They demonstrate that although South Africa have controlled the overall numbers, Zimbabwe have occasionally managed to produce successful performances against them.

Recent Meetings

2025 Test Series

South Africa toured Zimbabwe in June and July 2025 for two Tests.

In the first Test at Queens Sports Club, South Africa won by 328 runs after making 418/9 declared and 369 in their second innings. Zimbabwe scored 251 and 208.

The second Test was even more emphatic. South Africa scored 626/5 declared, Zimbabwe replied with 170, and South Africa enforced the follow-on. Zimbabwe eventually made 220, giving South Africa an innings-and-236-run victory.

South Africa therefore completed a 2-0 series sweep.

2025 T20Is

The teams also met in T20I cricket in July 2025. South Africa won both recorded matches, including victories by five wickets and four wickets.

2026 T20 World Cup

The sides met again at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on March 1, 2026. South Africa won by five wickets, chasing Zimbabwe’s 153/7 with a score of 154/5.

2026 T20I Series

The rivalry continued with three T20Is in August and September 2026.

South Africa won all three:

The September 6 match was particularly notable for South Africa’s 205/5, their highest score among those three recent meetings.

Major Records

South Africa’s Overall Dominance

Across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, South Africa have established a significant statistical advantage over Zimbabwe. The Test record is unbeaten, the ODI record contains only two Zimbabwean victories, and South Africa have maintained a long winning run in T20Is.

Mulder’s 367 Not Out

Wiaan Mulder’s 367 not out is the most important recent individual batting record in the rivalry. He stopped short of Brian Lara’s 400 and instead declared South Africa’s innings at 626/5.

2025 Test Series Margin

South Africa’s combined victories in the two 2025 Tests were enormous:

• First Test: 328 runs.
• Second Test: innings and 236 runs.

The second victory meant Zimbabwe never reached 250 in either innings.

Overall Statistical Comparison

*Head-to-head databases differ slightly in how certain historical Test records are counted; the broader series history records 11 scheduled Tests through 2025, with South Africa winning 10 and one drawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many times have Zimbabwe and South Africa played each other?

The teams have met across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. The recorded ODI head-to-head contains 41 matches, while the available Test head-to-head records nine completed matches. T20I meetings have increased with recent World Cup and bilateral fixtures.

2. Has Zimbabwe ever beaten South Africa?

Yes. Zimbabwe have recorded two ODI victories against South Africa. However, Zimbabwe have not yet won a Test against South Africa, and South Africa have dominated their T20I meetings.

3. Who scored 367 not out against Zimbabwe?

South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder scored 367 not out in the second Test at Bulawayo in July 2025. He declared the innings at 626/5, stopping 34 runs short of Brian Lara’s world-record Test score of 400.

4. What was the result of the 2025 Test series?

South Africa won the two-Test series 2-0. They won the first Test by 328 runs and the second by an innings and 236 runs.

5. What is the latest Zimbabwe vs South Africa result?

The latest recorded men’s meeting before September 28, 2026 was the September 6, 2026 T20I, when South Africa scored 205/5 and dismissed Zimbabwe for 157. South Africa won by 48 runs.

Conclusion

The statistical record between Zimbabwe and South Africa shows a clear long-term advantage for South Africa. Zimbabwe have produced two ODI victories but remain without a Test win against their neighbors, while South Africa have also controlled the T20I rivalry. The 2025 Test series highlighted the difference particularly clearly, with South Africa winning both matches by huge margins and Wiaan Mulder scoring 367 not out in Bulawayo. The 2026 T20I meetings continued the pattern, with South Africa winning their World Cup encounter and then completing three more victories later in the year. Despite the statistical imbalance, the rivalry remains important in southern African cricket, particularly because Zimbabwe’s strongest performances can produce significant upsets against one of the continent’s most established international sides.