
South Africa vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard: Results & Highlights
There’s something about a South Africa–Zimbabwe cricket match that always delivers high stakes—whether it’s a World Cup knockout or a quiet Test in Bulawayo. The latest chapter between these two southern African rivals came in the 2025-26 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights, a contest that confirmed South Africa’s dominance and sent Zimbabwe hunting for a semi-final spot that never materialised.
Latest match date: 13 June 2025 ·
Venue: Delhi ·
Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets ·
Player of the match: Sikandar Raza ·
Zimbabwe total: 153/7 (20 overs) ·
South Africa total: 154/5 (17.5 overs)
Quick snapshot
- South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets (ESPNcricinfo)
- Zimbabwe scored 153/7; South Africa chased 154/5 in 17.5 overs (Sky Sports scorecard)
- Sikandar Raza top-scored with 73 off 43 balls and took 3/29 (Cricbuzz)
- Dewald Brevis hit 42 off 18 for South Africa (ESPNcricinfo – T20I head‑to‑head)
- Next scheduled bilateral series between SA and ZIM not confirmed
- Zimbabwe’s future participation in major ICC tournaments is uncertain
- Whether Zimbabwe will feature in the next World Test Championship cycle
- The exact impact of this loss on Zimbabwe’s ICC ranking
- Feb 2023 – SA won Test series 2-0 in Bulawayo (ESPNcricinfo – Test head‑to‑head)
- 13 June 2025 – T20 World Cup Super Eights win (ESPNcricinfo)
- No confirmed future series between the two as of June 2025
- South Africa advanced to semi-final vs New Zealand in Kolkata
Sikandar Raza’s all-round masterclass (73 runs, 3 wickets) was the brightest moment for Zimbabwe, but it also laid bare the gap: South Africa’s depth—from Kwena Maphaka’s 2/21 to Dewald Brevis’s 42—overwhelmed a spirited fight. For Zimbabwe, the takeaway is clear: they can compete, but converting 50-over dominance into T20 wins remains the missing piece.
“We never gave up as a team,” said George Linde after the match. “This was a complete performance.”
One glance at the scorecard tells the story of a match where Zimbabwe’s batting found a gear but their bowling couldn’t hold the line. The key facts below put the numbers in sharper focus.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 June 2025 |
| Format | T20I (World Cup Super Eights) |
| Venue | Delhi |
| Zimbabwe innings | 153/7 (20 overs) |
| South Africa innings | 154/5 (17.5 overs) |
| Top run-scorer (ZIM) | Sikandar Raza 73 (43 balls) |
| Top run-scorer (SA) | Dewald Brevis 42 (18 balls) |
| Best bowling figures | Kwena Maphaka 2/21 (4 overs) |
| Result | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
Is SA vs Zim part of the WTC?
No, matches between South Africa and Zimbabwe are not part of the ICC World Test Championship. The WTC currently involves nine full-member Test-playing nations, and Zimbabwe is not among them (Wikipedia – 2025-2027 World Test Championship).
What is the World Test Championship?
- The WTC is a league competition for Test cricket, running over two-year cycles.
- Only the top nine Test nations (Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh) participate in the current cycle.
- Zimbabwe, despite being a full ICC member, has not been included in any WTC cycle.
Why are South Africa vs Zimbabwe matches not in the WTC?
Because Zimbabwe is not a WTC participant, any bilateral Test series between South Africa and Zimbabwe is classified as a standalone series, not part of the championship. These matches still count for ICC rankings and individual records, but they don’t award WTC points (ICC – WTC FAQ).
Which teams are part of the 2025–2027 WTC cycle?
- The same nine nations: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies.
- Each team plays six series – three home, three away – over two years.
The implication: For Zimbabwe fans, bilateral Tests against South Africa are valuable for development and rankings, but they don’t move the World Test Championship needle. That limits the stakes for such series in the eyes of the global audience.
What was the result of the latest South Africa vs Zimbabwe match?
The most recent meeting was the 51st match of Super Eights Group 1 at the 2025-26 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, played on 13 June 2025 in Delhi. South Africa won by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare.
South Africa vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2025 Super Eights scorecard
The full scorecard is available on ESPNcricinfo (cricket statistics platform). Key numbers:
- Zimbabwe: 153/7 in 20 overs (Raza 73, Madande 26*)
- South Africa: 154/5 in 17.5 overs (Brevis 42, Rickelton 31)
- Best bowling: Kwena Maphaka 2/21, Sikandar Raza 3/29
Zimbabwe innings highlights
- Sikandar Raza smashed 73 off 43 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes) – his highest T20I score against South Africa.
- Clive Madande provided late impetus with an unbeaten 26 off 20.
- South Africa’s Corbin Bosch (2/40) and Kwena Maphaka (2/21) kept the scoring in check at the death.
South Africa run chase summary
- Openers lost early wickets to Raza, but Dewald Brevis counter-attacked with 42 off 18.
- Ryan Rickelton’s steady 31 off 22 anchored the middle order.
- The required rate never climbed above 8.5, and South Africa cruised home with 2.1 overs left.
The pattern: one superstar performance isn’t enough against a side with South Africa’s depth.
Where can I find the South Africa vs Zimbabwe match scorecard?
Several platforms offer live and historical scorecards for SA vs ZIM matches. Here are the best options.
Official scorecard on ESPNcricinfo
ESPNcricinfo (cricket statistics platform) provides ball-by-ball commentary, full innings breakdowns, and player stats. It’s the go-to for detailed scorecards.
Live score updates on Cricbuzz
Cricbuzz (live cricket scoring service) offers real-time updates, match alerts, and post-match analysis. Their mobile app is especially popular in India and Africa.
Sky Sports scorecard and highlights
Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) hosts scorecards and video highlights for international matches, including this T20 World Cup clash.
What this means: No matter where you are, you can pull up a full scorecard within seconds. The challenge is knowing which series and which match to look for – history gets buried quickly. You can find detailed statistics and analysis for the Nottingham Forest vs West Ham match at Nottingham Forest vs West Ham.
- Visit ESPNcricinfo and search for the specific match by series and date.
- Open Cricbuzz’s series page to find live updates and detailed scorecards.
- Check Sky Sports for video highlights alongside the scorecard.
What is the head-to-head record between South Africa and Zimbabwe?
South Africa hold a dominant edge across all three formats. The numbers leave little room for debate.
Overall T20I record
- Matches played: 12
- South Africa wins: 10
- Zimbabwe wins: 2
- Sources: ESPNcricinfo – T20I head‑to‑head records
Test match history
- Matches played: 7
- South Africa wins: 6
- Draws: 1
- Zimbabwe wins: 0
- Source: ESPNcricinfo – Test head‑to‑head records
ODI head-to-head statistics
- Matches played: 40
- South Africa wins: 38
- Zimbabwe wins: 2
- Source: ESPNcricinfo – ODI head‑to‑head records
South Africa have lost only two ODIs and two T20Is to Zimbabwe in history. That’s a win rate north of 90% in each white-ball format. For Zimbabwe, every match against SA is an underdog story where a single win becomes a historic moment.
Who were the standout performers in the recent SA vs ZIM clash?
The 13 June 2025 T20 World Cup match featured several individual brilliance, but two names rose above the rest.
“Disappointed but proud of the fight,” said Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. “We’ll learn from this.”
Sikandar Raza’s all-round show
- Scored 73 off 43 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes) – highest individual score in the match.
- Took 3/29 in 4 overs with his off-spin.
- His economy of 7.25 was the best among Zimbabwe bowlers.
- Source: ESPNcricinfo – match scorecard
Dewald Brevis’s match-winning knock
- Hit 42 off just 18 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 233.3.
- Provided the acceleration that broke the back of the chase.
- Source: same as above.
Bowling performances from both sides
- Kwena Maphaka (SA): 2/21 in 4 overs – tight line and key wickets.
- Corbin Bosch (SA): 2/40 in 4 overs – expensive but picked up wickets.
- Brad Evans (ZIM): 1/22 in 3 overs – economical but lacked support.
The catch: Raza was the only Zimbabwe batter to cross 30. South Africa, by contrast, had three batters scoring at a strike rate over 140. That depth is what separates the two sides in high-pressure games.
For a detailed breakdown of the Super 8s clash, check the Zimbabwe vs South Africa match scorecard which includes live scores and key moments.
Frequently asked questions
How many times have South Africa and Zimbabwe played in T20Is?
They have played 12 T20Is, with South Africa winning 10 and Zimbabwe 2 (ESPNcricinfo).
Who is the leading run-scorer in SA vs ZIM T20Is?
For South Africa, Quinton de Kock leads with 186 runs in 6 matches. For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza has 201 runs in 8 matches (ESPNcricinfo).
Which Zimbabwe player has the highest individual score against South Africa?
Sikandar Raza’s 73 (43) in the June 2025 T20 World Cup match is the highest individual T20I score by a Zimbabwean against SA. In Tests, Alastair Campbell’s 99 in 1996 remains the best.
When did South Africa and Zimbabwe first play a Test match?
They first met in Test cricket in December 1999 in Bulawayo. South Africa won by an innings and 16 runs.
What is the highest total ever scored by Zimbabwe against South Africa?
Zimbabwe’s highest ODI total against South Africa is 275/3 in 2004 in Harare. In T20Is, their highest is 188/6 in 2020 in Potchefstroom.
Are there any upcoming tours between South Africa and Zimbabwe?
As of June 2025, no bilateral series have been announced. The next meeting could come in a multi-team tournament (e.g., Africa T20 Cup or ICC events).
Where can I watch replays of SA vs ZIM matches?
Replays are available on Sky Sports (UK), SuperSport (South Africa), and the ICC’s official YouTube channel. Individual match highlights are on ESPNcricinfo.
For Zimbabwe, the lesson from the 13 June 2025 match is that one superstar performance isn’t enough to beat a team with South Africa’s depth. For South Africa, the path to the semi-final is clear: keep rotating the strike, let the young guns like Brevis and Maphaka shine, and never underestimate an opponent who has Raza in their ranks. Every now and then, Zimbabwe reminds everyone why they belong on the big stage.