AUS vs SA Head-to-Head in T20Is — Records & Past Series Highlights

With the South Africa tour of Australia 2025 about to begin, let’s revisit the rich T20I rivalry between these two sides. From all-time wins to record-breaking performances and clutch clashes, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the series opener.

Overall Head-to-Head Record

• Total T20Is contested: 22
   
• Australia lead narrowly with 13 wins, while South Africa have 8 victories, and one no-result.
   
• When Australia bat first, they’ve won 14 of 15 matches; their chasing success stands at 14 wins in 15 games.

Location Breakdown

• At home in Australia, the Aussies hold a dominant 6–2 edge.
   
• In South Africa, success has been split at 5–2 in favour of Australia.
   
• A lone neutral-venue clash saw Australia win.

Batting Records & High Scores

Team	Most Runs (Overall)	Top Batting Average*	Highest Individual Score
Australia	David Warner – 475 runs in 15 matches	Quinton de Kock avg 237.5	David Warner – 200
South Africa	Temba Bavuma – 586; Aiden Markram – 564	Heinrich Klaasen avg 184.5	Heinrich Klaasen – 174

Mitchell Marsh remains top of T20I runs between the two, particularly in recent series – including a 92* in Durban in 2023.

Bowling Leaders

Team	Most Wickets	Notable Strike Bowler(s)
Australia	Pat Cummins – 24 wickets	Mitchell Starc – 20 wickets
South Africa	Kagiso Rabada – 32 wickets	Marco Jansen – 19 wickets

Australia’s Cummins, along with Starc, spearhead bowling threats; Rabada holds the top wicket tally overall.

Recent Series — 2023 Whitewash

In the 2023 Australia tour of South Africa, Australia earned a clean sweep, winning all three T20Is:

1. 1st T20I (Durban) – 226/6 posted; SA bowled out for 115; Marsh 92*, Tim David 64; Aussie win by 111 runs.
    
2. 2nd T20I – South Africa made 164/8, Marsh led chase with 79*; Abbott 3/22 made waves.
    
3. 3rd T20I – 190/8 vs 191/5 chase; Travis Head 91 off 48 supported by Stoinis; Australia sweep.
    

Mitchell Marsh starred across all three games, averaging ~186 runs, and earning the Player of the Series award.

Notable Matches

• 2009 Debut Game: David Warner’s 19-ball 50 helped Australia to a commanding win against SA.
   
• 2020 Hat-Trick: Ashton Agar snapped a hat-trick vs SA—one of the few for Australia in T20Is.

Tactical Analysis

• Powerplay beats: Warner, Short & Marsh have historically set the platform.
   
• Spin pivots: Shamsi vs Zampa remains a key middle-overs battle.
   
• Death challenges: Cummins/Starc vs Rabada/Jansen is a clash of strike-pace potential.
   

Momentum may have swung towards Australia, but South Africa’s batting flair (e.g., Markram, Klaasen, Bavuma) and Rabada’s wicket-taking make them a strong counterpostcode.

What to Watch in 2025

• Can SA manage a series upset? Australia’s last win was a whitewash; SA must shift tides.
   
• Will Marsh and Head continue run-fest form on home ground?
   
• Bowling duels: Starc vs Rabada remains engaging; Shamsi and Zampa crucial in control.

Final Take

Australia and South Africa have forged one of T20I’s top rivalries. Currently, Australia hold the series advantage and recent performances—but a keen South African side, primed for competition, could flip the script. As the tour begins, all eyes will be on power hitters, star spinners, and death-overs specialists.

For fans in Pakistan and Bangladesh, this promises riveting cricket—don’t miss live coverage on tapmad!