The two teams met in the final of the 2024 edition, with India winning and lifting the Champions’ trophy
With four victories in the group stage, India’s
Men in Blue are set for the next stage of the ICC T20 World Cup, i.e., the Super 8 stage, with the first match scheduled to be played against South Africa. For the record, the upcoming game will be a rematch between the Men in Blue and the Proteas, who clashed in the final of the 2024 edition. Fortunately, the Rohit Sharma-led outfit won the game to become champions.
Ahead of the game, let us look at the seven games that India and South Africa have played against each other.
The first clash
In 2007, South Africa hosted the first-ever ICC T20 World Cup, and India was part of Group E, which comprised the host nation as well. Batting first, India had posted 153 runs, with 50 and 45 runs coming off the willows of Rohit Sharma and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, respectively, who back then were middle-order batters. In response, South Africa managed only 116 runs as India’s Rudra Pratap Singh grabbed four crucial wickets to dismantle the batting line-up.
AB’s supremacy
The only best way to describe Ab de Villiers courtesy of Naser Hussain.
pic.twitter.com/8bZJZSNPbM— Shuhail (@imshuhail) February 17, 2026
Two years later, South Africa avenged their defeat against India. While batting first, the Proteas’ batting performance was once again weak, posting only 130 runs on the board. However, on this occasion, their bowling performance grabbed the limelight by halting India’s innings at 118 runs on eight wickets. AB de Villiers was the Player of the Match for his 63-run innings and three crucial catches.
Rain of runs from Raina
First Indian batsman in T20 World Cup 101 runs form 60 balls .#T20WorldCup2026@ImRainapic.twitter.com/bdTQRwf0EX https://t.co/WaM0MHv6k0
— (Raina ka privar) 🌶️ (@MRIPL48) February 11, 2026
The 2010 clash was all about two great batsmen from the two sides – on one end, Suresh Raina scored 101 runs in 60 balls, which helped India post 186 runs on the board. On the other end, Jacques Kallis scored 73 runs in 54 balls and gave Africa the much-needed start. Fortunately, the Indian batters did not allow the other Proteas to display their firepower and won the game by 14 runs.
Closest game ever
2012 was the closest clash between the Men in Blue and the Proteas in the ICC T20 World Cup history. India had batted first and posted a target of 152 runs on the board. In response, South Africa reached 151 runs but lost its last wicket with one ball to spare. Lakshmipathy Balaji and Zaheer Khan had grabbed three scalps each.
Kohli’s dominance
T20 World Cup 2014: This was a standout tournament for Kohli. He amassed 319 RUNS in 6 matches at an average of 106.33, earning the PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT AWARD. His 72* in the SEMI-FINAL against South Africa was a MASTERCLASS in CHASING. #T20WorldCup24 #Virat #Pant #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/L8AoTl20md
— CA Nitin Kaushik (FCA) | LLB (@Finance_Bareek) June 27, 2024
2014 witnessed India and South Africa go against each other in the second semi-final of the tournament. South Africa scored 172 runs in the first innings, but Virat Kohli dominated the second innings with 72 runs off 44 balls, including five boundaries and two maximums. Kohli’s gallant stand helped India win the game by six wickets.
Yadav’s efforts in vain
South Africa recorded its second-ever victory over India in the tournament when it won by five wickets in the 2022 edition. In the first innings, Suryakumar Yadav had scored 68 runs, which was the only highlight from Team India’s batting. However, Yadav’s efforts went in vain as Aiden Markram and David Miller scored 52 and 59 runs, respectively, to complete the chase.
A collective show
🇮🇳 India vs 🇿🇦 South Africa – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final 2024
Date: 29 june 2024
Venue: Barbados
-Hardik Pandya bowled a full delivery,
David Miller went for a straight six,
it looked like the match was gone.
But at long-off, Suryakumar Yadav took a brilliant boundary catch.… pic.twitter.com/MF4qMW8OEy— @CricketWithRuts (@CricketWithRuts) January 26, 2026
Two years ago, the Men in Blue beat the Proteas to become the ICC T20 World Champions on June 29. On this occasion, Virat Kohli once again emerged as India's hero, amassing 76 runs, while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, further down the order, made significant contributions. From South Africa’s dugout, David Miller, towards the end, almost stole a victory but was put down via an unbelievable catch by an under-pressure Suryakumar Yadav, who sealed the victory for India.
Overall, out of seven games against the Proteas, India leads with five victories since 2007.
