The historic rivalry between Pakistan and South Africa in Test cricket has seen dramatic contests filled with skill, resilience, and dominance from both sides over the decades. From their first clash in the mid-90s to the most recent encounters in 2025, the two teams have faced off 30 times, creating a fascinating record book.
As of the end of the South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025, the Proteas hold a significant edge in overall victories, while Pakistan continue to shine on home soil, particularly after their resurgence in the early 2020s.
PAK vs SA Test Head-to-Head Record (as of 2025)
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 30 | 6 | 17 | 7 | 0 |
| South Africa | 30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
South Africa’s consistency — especially in home conditions — has been the key to their lead. Pakistan’s notable victories, however, have often come in subcontinent conditions, where spin and reverse swing play a big role.
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Venue-Wise Results
| Venue | Pakistan Wins | South Africa Wins | Drawn | Total Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| In South Africa | 2 | 14 | 1 | 17 |
| Neutral Venues (UAE) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Pakistan’s best performances have come at home and in the UAE, while South Africa’s dominance is unmatched on their soil, where pace-friendly wickets have favored their fast bowlers.
Recent Test Encounters
| Year | Venue | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Cape Town) | South Africa | Won by 10 wickets |
| 2024 (Centurion) | South Africa | Won by 2 wickets |
| 2021 (Rawalpindi) | Pakistan | Won by 95 runs |
| 2021 (Karachi) | Pakistan | Won by 7 wickets |
| 2019 (Johannesburg) | South Africa | Won by 107 runs |
The most recent two-Test series in 2024–25 saw South Africa sweep Pakistan 2–0, reaffirming their home dominance. Before that, Pakistan had defeated the Proteas 2–0 in 2021 on home turf — marking their first series win against South Africa since 2003.
Series Results Summary
| Series | Season | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan in South Africa | 1994/95 | South Africa | 1–0 (1) |
| South Africa in Pakistan | 1997/98 | South Africa | 1–0 (3) |
| Pakistan in South Africa | 1997/98 | Drawn | 1–1 (3) |
| Pakistan in South Africa | 2002/03 | South Africa | 2–0 (2) |
| South Africa in Pakistan | 2003/04 | Pakistan | 1–0 (2) |
| Pakistan in South Africa | 2006/07 | South Africa | 2–1 (3) |
| South Africa in Pakistan | 2007/08 | South Africa | 1–0 (2) |
| Pakistan vs South Africa (UAE) | 2010/11 | Drawn | 0–0 (2) |
| Pakistan in South Africa | 2012/13 | South Africa | 3–0 (3) |
| Pakistan vs South Africa (UAE) | 2013/14 | Drawn | 1–1 (2) |
| Pakistan in South Africa | 2018/19 | South Africa | 3–0 (3) |
| South Africa in Pakistan | 2020/21 | Pakistan | 2–0 (2) |
| Pakistan in South Africa | 2024/25 | South Africa | 2–0 (2) |
Over the years, South Africa have won eight series, Pakistan have taken three, while two series have ended in draws.
Records at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
| Played | Pakistan Wins | South Africa Wins | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is once again set to host Pakistan vs South Africa in 2025, with the first Test scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time. Historically, this venue has seen strong performances from Pakistan’s batting lineup, supported by spinners exploiting the day-four and day-five surfaces.
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Notable Highlights
- Pakistan’s first-ever Test win against South Africa came in Durban (1998).
- South Africa achieved their biggest win by an innings and 142 runs in Cape Town (2003).
- Pakistan’s recent 2021 home series win ended an 18-year drought against the Proteas.
- Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi were instrumental in Pakistan’s victories in 2021.
- Kagiso Rabada’s fiery spells and Dean Elgar’s gritty batting led South Africa’s 2024–25 sweep.
Conclusion
The Pakistan–South Africa Test rivalry has evolved through phases of domination, comebacks, and balance. While South Africa currently lead the charts, Pakistan’s ability to challenge the Proteas in home and neutral conditions keeps the contest alive and unpredictable.
As the 2025 Lahore Test approaches, cricket fans await another thrilling chapter in this classic cricket rivalry.
