Respect, shifting fortunes, and exciting matches over the years have all contributed to the rivalry between the national cricket teams of Sri Lanka and South Africa. When South Africa resumed playing international cricket in the early 1990s, South Africa’s pace attack and fiery batting lineup gave them an immediate advantage. However, Sri Lanka, renowned for its resilience and taking the home advantage, quickly began to change the situation, particularly within its borders. These two teams’ matches have frequently been exciting, with thrilling finishes, major tournament matchups, and standout individual performances. Whether it’s a World Cup game or a Test series in Galle or Cape Town, fans always expect a good fight. South Africa National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline shows the key moments that have shaped this growing and competitive cricket rivalry.
1992-2000s: Start of the Rivalry
- 1991-1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup- It is the 14th match of the World Cup when the rivalry started between South Africa and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka edged past South Africa and won the match by 3 wickets. Roshan Mahanama (68 runs) and Arjuna Ranatunga (64 runs) scored a half-century in the match. Ranatunga scored a half-century in just 73 balls. He was also awarded the Man of the Match title for his commendable performance.
- In 1993-1994, Sri Lanka and South Africa met for their first test series. It was a 3-match test series where South Africa won by 1-0. However, two matches ended in a draw. While Sri Lanka competes very well in the series against their strong opponent, unfortunately, they lost all the matches. Hansie Cronje scored a century with 122 runs in the match. Whereas Kepler Wessels, Andrew Hudson, Daryll Cullinan, and Pat Symcox became the Key players in the match to score a half-century in the game and helped South Africa win.
- In 1993-1994, the C.A.B. Jubilee Tournament, South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 78 runs. This match established South Africa as a competitive team and a rising power in ODI cricket. Kepler Wessels, captain of the South African team, scored a half-century with 53 runs in the match. Richard Snell played a significant role in the win of South Africa, who took 4 wickets in 7 overs. He also won the Man of the Match title for his phenomenal bowling.
- 1999 ICC World Cup- In the 9th match of the World Cup held at County Ground, Northampton on 19th May, 1999, South Africa once again secured a good win over Sri Lanka by 89 runs. Sri Lanka managed to score 110 runs in 35.2 overs and couldn’t beat the score of 199 scored by the South African team. Lance Klusener from the South African team scored a half-century with 52 runs in the match. He also won the Man of the Match title for his exceptional batting performance.
- In 2000-2001, the South Africa vs Sri Lanka test series, South Africa ruled over Sri Lanka by winning 3-1. It is the longest test series with 6 matches. Out of 6 matches, 2 ended in a draw.
- In the 2000-2001 Singer Triangular Series, Sri Lanka showed their complete dominance over South Africa, winning by 3-0. Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Avishka Gunawardene, and Sanath Jayasuriya are some Key players from the Sri Lankan team who scored a half-century in the series and helped their team to lead the series.
- In the 2003 ICC World Cup, both teams gave a tough fight to each other. The 40th Match of the World Cup ended in a tie. Marvan Atapattu, the opener of the Sri Lankan team, scored a century with 124, and Herschelle Gibbs scored a half-century with 73 runs in the game.
- 2006 ICC Champions Trophy– In the 13th match of the Champions Trophy, South Africa clean-swept Sri Lanka, winning the match by 78 runs. Welcomed to bat first, South Africa set the target of 220 runs in 50 overs. In the second innings Sri Lanka managed to score 141 runs in 39.1 overs and lost the match.
- 2007 ICC World Cup- In this match, South Africa edged Sri Lanka and won the match by 1 wicket. In this game, the Sri Lankan team gave a tough fight to their opponent but unfortunately lost the match. Graeme Smith (59 runs) and Jacques Kallis (86 runs) scored unbeaten half-centuries in the match.
- In the first match of the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka secured a win over South Africa by 55 runs (D/L method). In this match, Tillakaratne Dilshan, the opening batsman of the Sri Lankan team, scored a century with 106 runs.
Read Also: New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
2011 to Recent Matches: Era of Tough Rivalry
- 2012 ICC World Twenty20- It is the first iconic match of the T20I series where both the met for the tussle. It is an iconic match because South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 32 runs on their home ground, thanks to the amazing performance of AB de Villiers, who scored 30 runs in just 13 balls and earned the Man of the Match title for his commendable performance.
- In the 2013-2014 Sri Lanka vs South African ODI Series, Sri Lanka showed their huge dominance over the South African team by winning the five match ODI series 4-1. South Africa won only 3rd match of the series by 56 runs.
- 2014-2015 ICC World Cup- It is the first quarter-final match of the 2015 World Cup held in Sydney. South Africa won the match by 9 wickets. By winning the toss, Sri Lanka set the target of 134 runs in 50 overs. But South Africa chased their target by scoring 134 runs in just 18 overs with 1 wicket down and won the match.
- In the 2016-2017 South Africa vs Sri Lanka test series, South Africa clean-swept Sri Lanka, winning the series by 3-0.
- In the 2016-2017 South Africa v Sri Lanka T20I series, Sri Lanka ruled the series by winning 2-1. It is a 3-match T20I series. South Africa won the first match of the series.
- 2017 ICC Champions Trophy- It is the 3rd match of the Champions Trophy held at Kennington Oval, London on 3rd June, 2017, where South Africa took over the ground and won the match by 96 runs. Hashim Amla scored an unbeaten century by scoring 103 runs, and Faf du Plessis scored a half-century with 75 runs in the match, and helped his team win the game.
- 2019 ICC World Cup- South Africa secured a massive win in this match by 9 wickets. South Africa chased the target of 203 runs set by Sri Lanka in 50 overs. South Africa scored 206 runs in 37.2 overs with 1 wicket down.
- 2023 ICC World Cup – South Africa won the 4th match of the World Cup by 102 runs. Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram are the key players for the South African team who scored a century and helped their team to win the match.
- 2024-2025 South Africa v Sri Lanka- It is the first test match of the season, where South Africa secured a big win over Sri Lanka, winning by 233 runs. Temba Bavuma scored a half-century (70 ) in this match.
