Australia vs South Africa ODI Record & Past Series Highlights

In the ODI matches, Australia and South Africa have met 110 times, and South Africa are only marginally in front—55 wins to Australia's 51, one no-result, and three ties.

Interestingly, in the 2023 ODI series in South Africa, Proteas took the five-match series 3-2, with Heinrich Klaasen being the highest run-getter with 243 runs, and Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj shared 8 wickets each. Marnus Labuschagne (283 runs) and Adam Zampa, both of Australia, shared 8 wickets each. Aiden Markram was the Player of the Series.

Landmark ODI Matches

One of the highest ODIs in history played itself out on 12 March 2006 at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, Australia, compiled 434/4, a world-record ODI score at the time. South Africa later chased it down in dramatic fashion, concluding on 438/9, winning by a single wicket with a single ball remaining. Herschelle Gibbs was the hero with a record 175 off 111 deliveries. The match is hailed as the greatest ODI in history, commonly called the "438 Game".

Most Runs & Wickets in H2H ODIs

Top Wicket-Takers

• Shane Warne (AUS): 45 wickets (1993–2002)
   
• Glenn McGrath (AUS): 41 wickets (1993–2007)
   
• Shaun Pollock (SA): 42 wickets (1997–2007)
   
• Dale Steyn (SA): He did rank close behind Pollock, but the exact figure is unspecified.

Recent High-Stakes Encounters

In the 2023 South Africa tour of Australia (ODI leg), Australia lost by a very narrow margin, 3–2, with Heinrich Klaasen (SA), who scored 243 runs, and Marnus Labuschagne (AUS) with his contribution of 283 runs. We also see that Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj each were able to knock out 8 wickets for South Africa. Then Australia’s Adam Zampa returned the energy of the South African bowlers’ wicket tally for Australia, with his 8 wickets, and Aiden Markram is the Player of the Series.
 

 

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Notable Performances & Records

We see the highest aggregate in a match with Australia's 434 and South Africa's 438 in that iconic 2006 match. Travis Head World Cup Heroics: While not H2H, he hit a match-winning century (109 off 67 balls) in the 2023 World Cup semifinal vs. South Africa and won Player of the Match. AB de Villiers played some all-time great innings, including two centuries in the 2011 World Cup, and the quickest 100/150 in ODI cricket.
 

Summary Table: Australia vs South Africa ODI Rivalry

Category	Details
H2H ODI Matches	110 matches: SA 55 wins, AUS 51 wins, 1 no-result, 3 ties
2023 Series	SA 3–2 AUS (ODIs), Klaasen 243 runs, Labuschagne 283 runs
Legendary Match (2006)	AUS 434/4 to SA 438/9 (Gibbs 175*, Ponting 164)
Top ODI Wicket-takers H2H	Warne 45 (AUS), McGrath 41 (AUS), Pollock 42 (SA)
Notable Performances	Travis Head's World Cup Final century; AB de Villiers' multiple milestones

 

Why This Rivalry Matters

South Africa's modest H2H lead and recent series dominance speak of a long and intense rivalry.  Some of the greats such as the 2006 "438 Game" are well and truly seared into the pages of ODI as one of the all-time great games. From Ponting and Warne to Gibbs, de Villiers, and Steyn, we see that both countries have created legends, each of whom defined an era. The tight series that we've seen in recent times, such as 2023's, remind us of the strategic depth of both teams, along with their constantly changing lineups.