Cricket is more than just a game in countries like South Africa National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard—it’s a passion that brings people together, young and old, to cheer for their heroes. The South Africa National Cricket Team, fondly called the Proteas, and the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, known as the Lions, have a rich history of exciting matches. Their clashes are always full of drama, skill, and heart. In this article, we’ll dive into their most recent Test series in 2024, focusing on the scorecards from the two matches played in Durban and Gqeberha. We’ll break down the action in a way that’s easy to follow, whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or just curious about the sport. Plus, we’ll include a detailed table summarizing the scorecards for both Tests, so you can see the numbers behind the story.

A Bit of Background: The South Africa National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry

The Proteas and the Lions have been facing off since the early 1990s, after South Africa’s return to international cricket following the end of apartheid. Over the years, South Africa has often had the upper hand, especially in Test cricket, thanks to their strong pace bowling and solid batting line-ups. But Sri Lanka, with their spin-heavy attacks and gritty batsmen, have pulled off some memorable upsets, especially on home soil. The 2024 series in South Africa, part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship, was a chance for both teams to showcase their skills and fight for crucial points.

South Africa, coming off a 2-0 series win in Bangladesh, were favorites at home. Their pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee was expected to dominate on the fast, bouncy pitches of Durban and Gqeberha. Sri Lanka, however, arrived with a determined squad led by captain Dhananjaya de Silva. Their spin bowlers and resilient batsmen, like Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, aimed to challenge the hosts. Let’s jump into the matches and see how the scorecards tell the story of this series.

First Test: Durban’s Kingsmead, November 27–December 1, 2024

The first Test at Kingsmead was a one-sided affair, with South Africa showing why they’re a force to be reckoned with at home. The match, played from November 27 to December 1, 2024, saw the Proteas dominate with both bat and ball. Here’s how it unfolded.

Day 1: South Africa’s Tough Start

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat, but the cloudy skies and a lively pitch made life tough for their batsmen. Sri Lanka’s seamers, led by Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara, struck early. By lunch, South Africa were struggling at 74/4, with key players like Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs back in the pavilion. Temba Bavuma, the Proteas captain, held firm, but the Sri Lankan bowlers kept the pressure on. By the end of the day, South Africa had crawled to 191 all out in their first innings, a below-par score. Kumara was the star for Sri Lanka, picking up three wickets with his pace and bounce.

Day 2: Sri Lanka’s Collapse

If South Africa’s batting was shaky, Sri Lanka’s was catastrophic. Their first innings lasted just 13.5 overs, as they were skittled for a record-low 42 runs—the lowest total in their Test history. Marco Jansen was the hero for South Africa, delivering a career-best 7/13, including the wicket of tailender Asitha Fernando to wrap up the innings. Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee chipped in with two wickets each, exploiting the seaming conditions. South Africa’s 149-run lead was a massive advantage, and they made the most of it in their second innings, reaching a strong position by stumps.

Days 3–4: South Africa Tighten the Grip

In their second innings, South Africa batted with purpose. Temba Bavuma led from the front with a gritty 70, supported by Aiden Markram and David Bedingham. They declared at 366/5, setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 516 runs. Sri Lanka’s second innings showed more fight, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal putting up a stubborn 95-run partnership. But South Africa’s bowlers, led by Jansen and Rabada, were relentless. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 282, handing South Africa a 233-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the series. The scorecard tells the tale of South Africa’s dominance and Sri Lanka’s struggle to adapt to the conditions.

Second Test: St George’s Park, Gqeberha, December 5–9, 2024

The second Test in Gqeberha was a closer contest, with Sri Lanka showing more resilience but still falling short. Rain and injuries added extra drama to the match, which ran from December 5 to December 9, 2024.

Day 1: Rain and Early Wickets

Rain limited play on the first day to just 20.4 overs, with Sri Lanka choosing to field after winning the toss. South Africa’s batsmen faced a disciplined Sri Lankan attack, but the weather kept things slow. By the end of the day, South Africa were cautious, focusing on survival rather than quick runs.

Day 2: South Africa Build a Lead

South Africa’s first innings gained momentum on Day 2, with contributions from Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. They were bowled out for 358, a solid total on a pitch offering help to both seamers and spinners. Dane Paterson, a surprise package with the ball, led South Africa’s attack in Sri Lanka’s first innings. His maiden five-wicket haul restricted Sri Lanka to 328, giving South Africa a slender 30-run lead. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva batted well for Sri Lanka, but Paterson’s breakthroughs kept them in check.

Days 3–4: A Tense Chase

South Africa’s second innings saw Markram score a steady 55, while Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs added valuable runs, pushing the lead past 200. They were all out for 317, setting Sri Lanka a target of 348. Sri Lanka’s chase started poorly, with Rabada dismissing opener Dimuth Karunaratne early. However, Mendis and de Silva fought back with an 83-run partnership, giving Sri Lanka hope. By the end of Day 4, they were 205/5, still 143 runs short, with Paterson and Keshav Maharaj taking two wickets each.

Day 5: South Africa Seal the Series

On the final day, South Africa needed just five more wickets, and they didn’t waste time. The bowlers, led by Rabada and Maharaj, broke through Sri Lanka’s resistance, wrapping up the innings and securing a series-clinching victory. The exact margin of victory isn’t specified in the available data, but South Africa’s dominance was clear, earning them 12 World Test Championship points and a 2-0 series sweep.

The Scorecard: A Snapshot of the Series

Below is a detailed table summarizing the scorecards for both Tests, making it easy to see the key performances and outcomes. The table includes batting and bowling figures for both teams, highlighting the standout players.

Standout Performers

South Africa

• Marco Jansen: The young all-rounder was the star of the first Test, with his 7/13 in Sri Lanka’s first innings being one of the best bowling performances in recent memory. His 11 wickets in the match earned him Player of the Match honors.
• Temba Bavuma: The captain led by example, scoring crucial runs in both Tests and guiding his team through tough moments.
• Dane Paterson: His five-wicket haul in the second Test was a game-changer, proving he’s more than just a supporting act to Rabada and Jansen.
• Aiden Markram: Consistent with the bat, Markram’s 55 in both Tests provided stability at the top.

Sri Lanka

• Dhananjaya de Silva: The captain fought hard in both Tests, especially with his partnerships alongside Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, showing Sri Lanka’s never-say-die spirit.
• Kusal Mendis: His counterattacking batting in the second innings of both Tests gave Sri Lanka hope, even if it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
• Lahiru Kumara: The fast bowler troubled South Africa’s batsmen with his pace, picking up key wickets in the first Test.

What Made This Series Special?

This series wasn’t just about the scorecards—it was about the stories behind the numbers. South Africa’s pace attack, led by Jansen and Rabada, showed why they’re among the best in the world, tearing through Sri Lanka’s batting on pitches that suited their style. Sri Lanka, despite their struggles, showed glimpses of brilliance, especially in the second Test, where their batsmen fought hard to avoid another collapse. The series also highlighted the importance of adaptability—South Africa thrived in their home conditions, while Sri Lanka struggled to adjust to the bounce and seam movement.

For fans, the series was a reminder of why Test cricket is so captivating. From Jansen’s fiery bowling to de Silva’s gritty resistance, there were moments of individual brilliance that lit up the matches. Even younger fans could appreciate the drama of a low score like Sri Lanka’s 42 or the excitement of a big partnership. The scorecards tell a story of dominance, resilience, and the beauty of cricket’s unpredictability.

Looking Ahead

The 2-0 series win strengthened South Africa’s position in the World Test Championship, putting them in second place and boosting their chances of reaching the final again. For Sri Lanka, the series was a tough lesson, but their fight in the second Test showed they have the potential to bounce back. Both teams will now look to their next challenges—South Africa with confidence, and Sri Lanka with a point to prove.