Cricket devotees worldwide acknowledge that cricket sessions between New Zealand’s national cricket team and South Africa exhibit thrilling intensity and outstanding competition at every level. International cricket witnesses intense competition between the new zealand national cricket team vs south africa national cricket team stats throughout every test match format, including Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 internationals.
The statistical achievements of these two nations deserve recognition since their players have become infamous in cricket history. The following blog examines the significant statistical details and single-player achievements together with team-based interactions, which formed the foundation of contests between the New Zealand cricket national side and the South Africa cricket national team.
Historical Overview of the Rivalry
Since their inaugural encounter happened in 1905, New Zealand and South Africa developed a historic rivalry. South Africa ruled cricket matches during its initial stage through their talented bowling part but New Zealand developed into a challenging competitor during that time. World cricket witnessed powerful changes in these two teams starting from the mid-1990s, which led them to deliver thrilling matches with highly competitive play.
The New Zealand national team stands out through its excellent combination of determination and balanced squad while consistently being superior to their opponents. South African cricket gains its reputation through its high-speed bowling and power-hitting capability in batting line-ups. The two teams have faced each other many times in intense matches, as the game statistics reflect the captivating history of their competition.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Stats Overview
1. Head-to-Head Record
Over the years, the New Zealand national cricket team Vs South Africa national cricket team Stats have played numerous matches across all formats. Let’s dive into their head-to-head record:
Format | Matches Played | New Zealand Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws | No Result |
Test Matches | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
ODIs | 63 | 22 | 36 | 4 | 1 |
T20Is | 15 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
2. Batting Statistics
One of the main factors in any cricketing contest is the performance of batsmen. New Zealand has seen some legendary batsmen like Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, and Kane Williamson. Similarly, South Africa has produced cricketing icons like AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, and Hashim Amla. Here’s a look at the batting averages and highest scores in head-to-head encounters.
Player | Matches Played | Runs Scored | Batting Average | Highest Score |
Martin Guptill (NZ) | 18 | 835 | 46.38 | 180* |
Ross Taylor (NZ) | 21 | 900 | 45 | 145 |
Kane Williamson (NZ) | 19 | 765 | 48.75 | 133* |
AB de Villiers (SA) | 20 | 1005 | 56.94 | 176 |
Hashim Amla (SA) | 22 | 915 | 51.05 | 159 |
3. Bowling Statistics
The role of bowlers is just as crucial as the batsmen, and both New Zealand and South Africa have produced some of the finest bowlers in world cricket. New Zealand has seen players like Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Kyle Jamieson make significant contributions, while South Africa has had bowlers like Dale Steyn, Morné Morkel, and Kagiso Rabada lead the charge. Below are their bowling averages and best figures in matches against each other.
Bowler | Matches Played | Wickets Taken | Bowling Average | Best Bowling Figures |
Tim Southee (NZ) | 16 | 45 | 31.5 | 5/34 |
Trent Boult (NZ) | 18 | 52 | 29.1 | 6/30 |
Kyle Jamieson (NZ) | 6 | 22 | 27.9 | 4/60 |
Dale Steyn (SA) | 15 | 47 | 22.3 | 7/51 |
Kagiso Rabada (SA) | 12 | 30 | 26.1 | 5/30 |
4. Top Partnerships
In high-stakes matches, partnerships between batsmen often play a crucial role in shaping the game. The following table outlines the most successful partnerships between New Zealand and South Africa players.
Batsmen Pair | Runs | Matches Played | Highest Partnership |
Martin Guptill & Kane Williamson | 175 | 4 | 175 |
Ross Taylor & Kane Williamson | 123 | 6 | 123 |
AB de Villiers & Hashim Amla | 150 | 5 | 150 |
Graeme Smith & Jacques Kallis | 140 | 7 | 140 |
Analysis of Their Recent Encounters
Since the start of the last decade, New Zealand and South Africa have squared off numerous times, both in ICC competitions and stand-alone series. The high level of performance displayed by New Zealand against world-leading teams became evident during their matches against South Africa. Different high-profile matches involving South African and New Zealand teams will be explored.
- New Zealand won against South Africa at the semi-final tournament of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Auckland to qualify for the final match. who scored a brilliant 233*, making it one of the highest individual scores in World Cup history.
- During the group stage of ICC World T20 2021, New Zealand played South Africa in a competitive match. Through their exceptional composure New Zealand moved into the semi-finals as their bowling group, led by Trent Boult, delivered one outstanding performance after the other.
- During their 2017 South African visit to New Zealand, both Test and ODI matches took place. Boult and Southee provided the backbone of New Zealand’s bowling department, which pushed South Africa out of form during the New Zealand conditions.
Key Players to Watch
New Zealand:
As the New Zealand cricket captain, Kane Williamson leads with his peaceful nature and exceptional batting approach. When New Zealand faces South Africa, Kane Williamson demonstrates his strength in stabilizing the innings while under pressure, which transforms games into New Zealand wins.
Trent Boult’s dangerous swing bowling sets him up as an effective weapon because it works well with fast-bowling conditions. Early dismissals and partnership-breaking abilities serve as essential weapons against the dangerous South African top order.
South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock: South Africa’s explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, Quinton de Kock, is always a player to watch. His aggressive style can disrupt any bowling attack, and he’s one of the most dangerous players in the shorter formats.
- Kagiso Rabada: Rabada’s pace and accuracy make him one of the best fast bowlers in the world. His performances against New Zealand will be key in controlling the flow of runs and taking crucial wickets.
South Africa vs New Zealand—2022 Test Series (2nd Test) – Christchurch
Match Date: February 2022
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
New Zealand | 328 all out | 170 all out |
South Africa | 364 all out | 160 all out |
Key Performances:
- New Zealand:
- Tom Latham – 110 (1st Innings)
- Kyle Jamieson – 4/48 (1st Innings)
- South Africa:
- Dean Elgar – 101 (1st Innings)
- Kagiso Rabada – 5/59 (1st Innings)
Result: South Africa won by 198 runs
South Africa vs New Zealand—2022 Test Series (1st Test)—Pretoria
Match Date: February 2022
Venue: Supersport Park, Pretoria
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
South Africa | 332 all out | 250/3 (target: 235) |
New Zealand | 253 all out | 234 all out |
Key Performances:
- New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson – 61 (1st Innings)
- Neil Wagner – 3/45 (2nd Innings)
- South Africa:
- Temba Bavuma – 93 (1st Innings)
- Marco Jansen – 4/50 (1st Innings)
Result: South Africa won by 7 wickets
South Africa vs New– 2020 Test Series (2nd Test)—Wellington
Match Date: February 2020
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
New Zealand | 431 all out | 212 all out |
South Africa | 359 all out | 90 all out |
Key Performances:
- New Zealand:
- Tom Latham – 105 (1st Innings)
- Trent Boult – 3/37 (2nd Innings)
- South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock – 90 (1st Innings)
- Kyle Jamieson – 5/40 (1st Innings)
Result: New Zealand won by 8 wickets
South Africa vs New Zealand—2020 Test Series (1st Test)—Durban
Match Date: January 2020
Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
South Africa | 283 all out | 286 all out |
New Zealand | 185 all out | 211 all out |
Key Performances:
- New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson – 89 (1st Innings)
- Neil Wagner – 3/50 (1st Innings)
- South Africa:
- Dean Elgar – 86 (1st Innings)
- Kagiso Rabada—4/41 (2nd Innings)
Result: South Africa won by 107 runs
South Africa vs New Zealand—2017 Test Series (2nd Test)—Wellington
Match Date: March 2017
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
New Zealand | 370 all out | 159 all out |
South Africa | 359 all out | 191 all out |
Key Performances:
- New Zealand:
- Ross Taylor – 142 (1st Innings)
- Trent Boult – 4/56 (1st Innings)
- South Africa:
- AB de Villiers – 103 (1st Innings)
- Morné Morkel – 4/40 (2nd Innings)
Conclusion
The head-to-head statistics between the New Zealand national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team reflect not only the competitive nature of their rivalry but also the high level of skill possessed by both teams. Whether it’s a Test match, ODI, or T20, these encounters have always been thrilling. Looking at the batting and bowling statistics, we see a consistent display of skill, with both teams having their moments of dominance.
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