India and South Africa have faced other just 4 times in World Cup history. In this year’s edition, South Africa lost 2 matches to England and Bangladesh. While India is yet to play its opening game.
Highest Score by each Team in World Cup History
Since 1992, South Africa won 3 matches while India won only 1 match in World Cups. India and South Africa will take on each other on 5th June at Southampton. It promises to be a cracking contest as Men in Blue (India) would be looking to start the tournament on a winning note, while Africa would be looking to win their first match of World Cup 2019.
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Here we look at the Head to Head record between India and South Africa in World Cup history
1. India versus South Africa, 15th March 1992
The first match between India and South Africa in World Cup history was played on 15th March 1992 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. In a rain-curtailed match reduced to 30 overs, South Africa captain Kepler Wessels won the toss and decided to field first. Kris Srikanth was dismissed for 0 by Allan Donald.
Sanjay Manjerkar and Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin steadied the Indian innings putting on 78 runs for the 2nd wicket. Azharuddin scored a brilliant 79 off 77 balls, Kapil Dev 42 helped India post 180 for 6 in 30 overs. For South Africa, Allan Donald and Kuiper took 2 wickets each.
Chasing the target of 181 runs to win, South African openers Peter Kirsten and Andrew Hudson put on 128 runs for the opening wicket which laid the foundation for the win. Javagal Srinath dismissed Hudson for 53 while Peter Kirsten scored 84. South Africa won the match by 6 wickets with 11 balls to spare.
2. India versus South Africa, 15th May 1999
India and South Africa played in Group A match played at New County Ground, Hove on 15th May 1999. Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and decided to bat first. Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly got off to a steady start adding 67 runs in 15.3 overs.
Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid put up another good partnership for the 2nd wicket. Sourav was the top scorer for India with 97 runs. India posted 253 for 5 in 50 overs. For South Africa, Lance Klusener took 2 wickets while Allan Donald took 1 wicket.
Chasing the target of 254 runs to win, South Africa lost 2 early wickets of Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs. Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis steadied the innings, putting on 46 runs for the 3rd wicket. Jacques Kallis led the charge with a brilliant 96. Kallis and Cronje added 64 runs for the 5th wicket. Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener gave South Africa the win by 5 wickets with 16 balls to spare. Both India and South Africa reached the Super Six stage.
South Africa reached the semi-finals stage while India finished last in the Super Six stage.
3. India versus South Africa, 12th March 2011
The third match in World Cup history was played during Group B match of ICC World Cup 2011 played at VCA Stadium, Nagpur on 12th March. Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got the team off to a brilliant start adding 142 runs in 17.4 overs. Despite Sachin Tendulkar 111, Sehwag 73 and Gambhir 69, India was bowled out for 296 in 48.4 overs.
Chasing the target of 297 runs to win, it was a great batting effort by the South African team. Jacques Kallis was the top scorer with 69, Amla 61, AB de Villiers 52 and cameo’s by JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Johan Botha and Robin Peterson helped South Africa register a thrilling 3 wicket win with 2 balls to spare.
4. India versus South Africa, 22nd February 2015
In 2015 edition of World Cup played in Australia and New Zealand, India took on South Africa in Group B match played at iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG on 22nd February 2015.
Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first. Shikhar Dhawan 137, Kohli 46 and Rahane 79 helped Men in Blue post a big total of 307 for 7 in 50 overs.
Defending the target of 308 runs to win, the Indian bowlers did not allow the South African batsmen to score runs and bowled them out for 177 in 40.2 overs. For South Africa, Faf du Plessis was the top scorer with 55. R Ashwin was the pick of bowlers with 3 for 41, Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma took 2 wickets each and Ravindra Jadeja took 1 wicket.
Both India and South Africa reached the semi-finals stage in the 2015 World Cup.