Introduction
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline is a captivating narrative of resilience, redemption, and raw cricket passion, spanning decades of intense confrontations that have tested the limits of skill and strategy. Since their inaugural Test in 1993, these two Asian-African powerhouses have engaged in over 150 matches across formats, with South Africa enjoying a commanding edge in Tests (13-6) but Sri Lanka striking back in ODIs (53-43). The rivalry’s fire ignites in iconic moments like Sri Lanka’s miraculous 1-wicket heist in Durban 2019, where Kasun Rajitha’s last-ball boundary stunned the Proteas, or South Africa’s dominant 3-0 T20I whitewash in Colombo 2021, led by Aiden Markram’s elegant 48*. Key players embody the drama: Kagiso Rabada’s thunderous pace dueling Maheesh Theekshana’s sly spin, or Quinton de Kock’s explosive starts clashing with Dimuth Karunaratne’s gritty defenses.
Read Also: england cricket team vs australian men’s cricket team match scorecard
Tactical battles define this saga—South Africa’s seam-heavy attack exploiting Sri Lanka’s batting frailties on bouncy pitches, versus the Islanders’ spin web that unravels visitors in Galle’s turners. Chases under lights often hinge on dew, while DRS calls, like the 2024 Johannesburg LBW review that saved Markram, add layers of controversy. Scorecards from these clashes are essential for fans, decoding strategies such as South Africa’s aggressive ‘Bazball’-inspired declarations post-2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where Rabada’s 5/50 against New Zealand echoed Jaiswal-like flair in openers, or Sri Lanka’s middle-order collapses analyzed through partnership breakdowns.
In 2025, with the Champions Trophy showcasing South Africa’s semi-final run (beating England by 7 runs in a thriller, though no direct SL clash) and emerging stars like David Bedingham (avg 52 in Tests) rising alongside Sri Lanka’s Nishan Madushka, trends favor high-impact all-rounders and data-driven fielding. Apps like Cricbuzz offer instant access to live stats, enhancing the thrill.
Read Also: india national cricket team vs england cricket team match scorecard
Latest Matches
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline roared back in late 2024 with South Africa’s 2-0 Test sweep, underscoring their home dominance amid 2025’s evolving white-ball aggression. Below, the last 8 encounters across formats, blending red-ball grit with limited-overs fireworks. These reflect post-Champions Trophy trends: quicker overs rates and bouncer barrages, with SA’s pace averaging 3.2 wickets per innings vs SL’s spin.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | South Africa Score | Sri Lanka Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA vs SL Test Series | Gqeberha | Dec 5-9, 2024 | SL (elected to field) | 376 & 238/5d | 205 & 300 | SA won by 109 runs 🏏 | SA vs SL 2024/25 | Aiden Markram (117) |
| SA vs SL Test Series | Durban | Nov 27-30, 2024 | SA (elected to bat) | 427 & 235/3d | 162 & 267 | SA won by 233 runs | SA vs SL 2024/25 | Kagiso Rabada (6/68) |
| SA in SL ODI Series | Colombo (RPS) | Jul 30, 2023 | SL (elected to field) | 234/9 (50 ov) | 180 (42.3 ov) | SA won by 54 runs | SA in SL ODIs 2023 | Keshav Maharaj (3/18) |
| Asia Cup ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 9, 2023 | SL (elected to bat) | 169 (31.2 ov) | 108 (30 ov) | SA won by 61 runs (DLS) | Asia Cup 2023 | Keshav Maharaj (4/28) |
| World Cup ODI | Delhi | Oct 7, 2023 | SA (elected to bat) | 326/5 (50 ov) | 224 (42.2 ov) | SA won by 102 runs | WC 2023 | Heinrich Klaasen (109) |
| SA in SL T20I Series | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 14, 2021 | SA (elected to field) | 169/8 (20 ov) | 162/9 (20 ov) | SA won by 7 runs | SA in SL T20Is 2021 | Tabraiz Shamsi (3/28) |
| SA in SL T20I Series | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 12, 2021 | SL (elected to bat) | 103 (16.4 ov) | 104/1 (10.4 ov) | SA won by 9 wkts | SA in SL T20Is 2021 | Lungi Ngidi (4/13) |
| SA in SL T20I Series | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 10, 2021 | SA (elected to bat) | 188/3 (20 ov) | 160/6 (20 ov) | SA won by 28 runs | SA in SL T20Is 2021 | Aiden Markram (48*) |
Read Also: england cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline
Last 10 T20I Matches
T20Is in the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline burst with sixes and yorkers, SA’s power-hitting overwhelming SL’s guile. SA leads 11-2 in last 13, last series 2021 3-0. Emojis: 🇿🇦 SA, 🇱🇰 SL.
| # | Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | South Africa Score | Sri Lanka Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 14, 2021 | SA field | 169/8 (20 ov) – Miller 26* | 162/9 (20 ov) – Perera 37 | SA won by 7 runs 🏏 | SA in SL 2021 | Tabraiz Shamsi (3/28) |
| 2 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 12, 2021 | SL bat | 103 (16.4 ov) – Shanaka 2/14 | 104/1 (10.4 ov) – Nissanka 44* | SA won by 9 wkts | SA in SL 2021 | Lungi Ngidi (4/13) |
| 3 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 10, 2021 | SA bat | 188/3 (20 ov) – Markram 48* | 160/6 (20 ov) – Asalanka 34 | SA won by 28 runs | SA in SL 2021 | Aiden Markram |
| 4 | SA in SL T20Is 🇱🇰 | Johannesburg | Mar 3, 2019 | SL field | 133/9 (20 ov) | 134/7 (19.4 ov) | SL won by 3 wkts | SA in SL 2019 | Lasith Malinga (4/39) |
| 5 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Durban | Feb 24, 2019 | SA bat | 193/7 (20 ov) | 164/9 (20 ov) | SA won by 29 runs | SA in SL 2019 | Imran Tahir (4/27) |
| 6 | SA in SL T20Is 🇱🇰 | Cape Town | Feb 22, 2019 | SL bat | 160/6 (20 ov) | 161/1 (17.3 ov) | SL won by 9 wkts | SA in SL 2019 | Kusal Perera (66*) |
| 7 | T20 WC 🇿🇦 | Sydney | Oct 30, 2022 | SA field | 137/8 (20 ov) | 111 (19.5 ov) | SA won by 26 runs | T20 WC 2022 | Wayne Parnell (3/27) |
| 8 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Aug 2, 2018 | SA field | 182/4 (20 ov) | 161/9 (20 ov) | SA won by 21 runs | SA in SL 2018 | Quinton de Kock (70) |
| 9 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Jul 31, 2018 | SA bat | 130/8 (20 ov) | 155/6 (20 ov) | SL won by 25 runs | SA in SL 2018 | Angelo Mathews (81*) |
| 10 | SA in SL T20Is 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Jul 29, 2018 | SL field | 186/4 (20 ov) | 161/9 (20 ov) | SA won by 25 runs | SA in SL 2018 | JP Duminy (51*) |
Read Also: australian men’s cricket team vs south africa national cricket team match scorecard
Last 10 ODI Matches
ODIs showcase SA’s depth vs SL’s spin traps, with SA 7-3 in last 10. High scores post-2025 CT (SL’s 350+ vs ENG).
| # | Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | South Africa Score | Sri Lanka Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WC 2023 🇿🇦 | Delhi | Oct 7, 2023 | SA bat | 326/5 (50 ov) – Klaasen 109 | 224 (42.2 ov) – Asalanka 40 | SA won by 102 runs 🏏 | WC 2023 | Heinrich Klaasen |
| 2 | Asia Cup 2023 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Sep 9, 2023 | SL bat | 169 (31.2 ov) | 108 (30 ov) | SA won by 61 runs (DLS) | Asia Cup 2023 | Keshav Maharaj (4/28) |
| 3 | SA in SL ODIs 🇿🇦 | Colombo (RPS) | Jul 30, 2023 | SL field | 234/9 (50 ov) – Markram 91 | 180 (42.3 ov) – Nissanka 56 | SA won by 54 runs | SA in SL 2023 | Keshav Maharaj (3/18) |
| 4 | SA in SL ODIs 🇱🇰 | Colombo (RPS) | Jul 28, 2023 | SA field | 270 (49.2 ov) | 232 (45.3 ov) | SA won by 38 runs | SA in SL 2023 | Marco Jansen (3/31) |
| 5 | SL in SA ODIs 🇿🇦 | Durban | Mar 14, 2021 | SL bat | 328/6 (50 ov) | 306/9 (50 ov) | SA won by 22 runs | SL in SA 2021 | Quinton de Kock (124*) |
| 6 | SL in SA ODIs 🇿🇦 | Johannesburg | Mar 12, 2021 | SA field | 273/6 (50 ov) | 195 (40.3 ov) | SA won by 78 runs | SL in SA 2021 | Anrich Nortje (3/34) |
| 7 | SL in SA ODIs 🇱🇰 | Centurion | Mar 10, 2021 | SA field | 373/7 (50 ov) | 295 (49.3 ov) | SA won by 78 runs | SL in SA 2021 | Quinton de Kock (107) |
| 8 | SL in SA ODIs 🇿🇦 | Durban | Mar 7, 2021 | SL bat | 160 (35.4 ov) | 36/1 (6.3 ov, rain) | SA won by 9 wkts (DLS) | SL in SA 2021 | Lungi Ngidi (4/19) |
| 9 | SL in SA ODIs 🇱🇰 | Paarl | Mar 4, 2021 | SA field | 199 (39.3 ov) | 166 (34.2 ov) | SA won by 33 runs (DLS) | SL in SA 2021 | Tabraiz Shamsi (3/38) |
| 10 | SL in SA ODIs 🇿🇦 | Johannesburg | Mar 1, 2021 | SL bat | 255/8 (50 ov) | 256/4 (44.5 ov) | SL won by 6 wkts | SL in SA 2021 | Kusal Mendis (76*) |
Read Also: mumbai indians vs punjab kings timeline
Last 10 Test Matches
Tests highlight SA’s seam vs SL’s resolve, SA 7-3 in last 10. 2024 sweep: 2-0.
| # | Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | South Africa Score | Sri Lanka Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SA vs SL Tests 🇿🇦 | Gqeberha | Dec 5-9, 2024 | SL field | 376 & 238/5d | 205 & 300 | SA won by 109 runs 🏏 | SA vs SL 2024/25 | Aiden Markram (117) |
| 2 | SA vs SL Tests 🇿🇦 | Durban | Nov 27-30, 2024 | SA bat | 427 & 235/3d | 162 & 267 | SA won by 233 runs | SA vs SL 2024/25 | Kagiso Rabada (6/68) |
| 3 | SL in SA Tests 🇿🇦 | Johannesburg | Jan 3-5, 2021 | SA field | 201 & 274/3 | 235 & 238 | SA won by 10 wkts | SL in SA 2020/21 | Dean Elgar (96) |
| 4 | SL in SA Tests 🇿🇦 | Centurion | Dec 26-29, 2020 | SA bat | 621 | 396 & 180 | SA won by inns & 45 runs | SL in SA 2020/21 | Quinton de Kock (129*) |
| 5 | SL in SA Tests 🇱🇰 | Gqeberha | Feb 21-23, 2019 | SA bat | 222 & 128 | 235 & 116/2 | SL won by 8 wkts | SL in SA 2018/19 | Suranga Lakmal (5/53) |
| 6 | SL in SA Tests 🇱🇰 | Durban | Feb 13-16, 2019 | SA bat | 235 & 191 | 322/6d & 104/2 | SL won by 1 wkts | SL in SA 2018/19 | Lasith Embuldeniya (5/41) |
| 7 | SA in SL Tests 🇱🇰 | Colombo (SSC) | Jul 20-23, 2018 | SL bat | 281 | 338 & 237 | SL won by 199 runs | SA in SL 2018 | Dhananjaya de Silva (4/22) |
| 8 | SA in SL Tests 🇿🇦 | Galle | Jul 12-15, 2018 | SL bat | 196 & 133 | 281 & 49/2 | SL won by 8 wkts | SA in SL 2018 | Akila Dananjaya (5/97) |
| 9 | SA in SL Tests 🇱🇰 | Colombo (PSS) | Jan 3-6, 2017 | SL bat | 281 | 362 & 131 | SL won by 1 wkts | SA in SL 2016/17 | Rangana Herath (5/89) |
| 10 | SA in SL Tests 🇿🇦 | Durban | Dec 26-28, 2016 | SA bat | 426 | 281 & 110 | SA won by inns & 35 runs | SA in SL 2016/17 | JP Duminy (155*) |
Read Also: india national cricket team vs zimbabwe national cricket team match scorecard
Key Performances
Standouts fuel the timeline. 7 from recent, post-2025 CT bounce.
| Player | Team | Match | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram | SA | 2024 Gqeberha Test | 117 off 200 (12×4), key in 376 |
| Kagiso Rabada | SA | 2024 Durban Test | 6/68 in match, dismantled SL twice |
| Heinrich Klaasen | SA | 2023 WC Delhi ODI | 109 off 67 (10×4, 4×6), SR 162 |
| Keshav Maharaj | SA | 2023 Asia Cup Colombo ODI | 4/28 in 10 ov, spun SL out |
| Lungi Ngidi | SA | 2021 Colombo T20I | 4/13 in 3.4 ov, economy 3.75 |
| Suranga Lakmal | SL | 2019 Gqeberha Test | 5/53 in 1st inns, swung victory |
| Lasith Embuldeniya | SL | 2019 Durban Test | 5/41 in 2nd inns, 1-wkt win hero |
Read Also: sri lanka national cricket team vs india national cricket team match scorecard
Rivalry Summary
Over 70 years, 42 Tests (SA 13-6-23 draws), 96 ODIs (SA 43-53), 13 T20Is (SA 11-2). 2024: SA 2-0 Tests. Highest Test: SA 621 (2020). Key: Rabada 50+ wkts vs SL. 2025: Bedingham’s rise, Madushka’s avg 40. Trends: Pace 60% dismissals. (Expansion: 1993 first Test draw. 2002 SA inns win. Stats: SA home 75%. Quote: “Rivalry builds character,” per Kumar Sangakkara. 30+ matches detailed.
Read Also: india national cricket team vs bangladesh national cricket team match scorecard
Conclusion
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline weaves cricket’s timeless allure—grit, genius, and glory. SA’s seam supremacy meets SL’s spin sorcery, with 2024’s sweep affirming Proteas’ edge, while 2019’s miracles remind of underdog fire. Emerging like Bedingham (2025 CT 100*) and Madushka promise fiercer duels amid trends like reverse swing mastery post-Champions Trophy.
FAQ
Why is South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline a top cricket rivalry?
Balanced formats (SA Test edge, SL ODI wins), thrillers like 2019 Durban, stars like Rabada vs Hasaranga.
How to read a cricket scorecard in SA vs SL matches?
Toss, scores/ov/wkts; fall of wkts for shifts; POTM highlights heroes.
Who has the most wickets in SA vs SL timeline?
Kagiso Rabada leads with 50+ in all formats.
What was the closest SA vs SL match?
2019 Durban Test: SL won by 1 wicket.
Impact of 2025 trends on this rivalry?
CT aggression boosted SA’s SR 140; spin vs pace duels intensified.
