Hey there, cricket fans! Whether you’re a die-hard follower who’s watched every ball or just someone dipping their toes into the game, there’s something magical about the clash between South Africa National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline. It’s like watching a seasoned lion take on a clever tiger – one side with raw power and history, the other with grit, growth, and those heart-stopping surprises. Their story isn’t just about who wins; it’s about evolution, underdogs rising, and moments that make you jump off your couch.
Today, we’re diving into the full timeline of their encounters across Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20Is. From the first awkward handshake in 2002 to the nail-biters of 2024, this rivalry has spanned over two decades. South Africa, with their star-studded lineups, have dominated much of it, but Bangladesh? They’ve scripted upsets that echo through cricket lore. We’ll break it down simply, with stories that feel like chatting over a cup of tea, and a handy table to track every twist. Grab your popcorn – this is 2000 words of pure cricket joy.
The Early Days: When Bangladesh Stepped into the Big Leagues
Picture this: It’s October 2002, and Bangladesh, fresh off earning full ICC membership just a year earlier, hosts their first-ever Test against South Africa in Dhaka. The Tigers were the new kids on the block, full of dreams but short on experience. South Africa, led by the unbreakable Shaun Pollock, smelled an easy win. And they got it – by a whopping innings and 89 runs. Bangladesh folded for 43 and 251, while the Proteas piled on 383. It was a harsh welcome, but it lit a fire.
That series continued with a second Test in Chittagong, where South Africa romped home by an innings and 177 runs. Bangladesh’s total of 69 in their first dig remains one of their lowest ever. Ouch. These matches set the tone: South Africa as the big brother, Bangladesh learning the ropes. But cricket’s funny – those early thrashings built resilience. By the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Bangladesh stunned everyone by beating the hosts in the Super Sixes, chasing 203 with ease thanks to Mohammad Ashraful’s flair. It was their first ODI win over the Proteas, a shot in the arm that said, “We’re here to stay.”
Fast forward to 2008, and Bangladesh hosted again. In the first Test at Dhaka, they fought back gamely, but South Africa chased 247 to win by 4 wickets. Graeme Smith’s gritty 101 was the hero. The second Test? A draw, with Bangladesh’s bowlers finally holding firm. In ODIs that year, South Africa whitewashed them 3-0, but not without Bangladesh showing teeth – Tamim Iqbal’s explosive starts hinted at future fireworks.
These formative years (2002-2010) were lopsided: South Africa won 6 of 7 Tests, all 9 ODIs, and their first T20I in 2007 (by 7 runs in Johannesburg). Bangladesh’s sole ODI victory came in that 2003 World Cup upset. Total matches: 17, with SA leading 16-1. It was dominance, sure, but Bangladesh’s losses were lessons in steeling the spine.
The Middle Era: Bangladesh Bites Back (2011-2020)
By the 2010s, Bangladesh wasn’t just surviving – they were thriving at home. Spin-friendly pitches in Mirpur and Chittagong became fortresses. In 2013, during South Africa’s tour, the Tigers drew the first Test after a heroic rearguard, then shocked the world in the second. Chasing 384, they romped home by 4 wickets! Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim’s centuries turned the tide. It was Bangladesh’s first Test win over any top team and remains a fairy tale.
ODIs heated up too. In 2015, during South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh, the series ended 1-1 after rain – Bangladesh stole a thrilling 7-wicket win in the third ODI via D/L method, with Liton Das unbeaten on 71. But South Africa hit back in 2017 at home, winning 2-1, though Bangladesh’s series win in 2015 (wait, no – actually, SA won the first two, but BAN’s fight was evident).
The 2015 World Cup saw Bangladesh crush South Africa by 9 wickets in Melbourne – Soumya Sarkar’s 90 set the tone. Fast forward to 2022, and the real drama unfolded in South Africa. Bangladesh toured for a historic ODI series, winning 2-1! Taskin Ahmed’s 5/19 in the third ODI (chasing a modest 234) sealed it. Their first bilateral ODI series win away from home. Tests? South Africa bounced back with a 2-0 whitewash, including a 332-run thrashing where Keshav Maharaj took 7/32.
T20Is during this period? South Africa kept the upper hand, winning all 5 encounters, including a 104-run demolition in the 2022 T20 World Cup. But Bangladesh’s ODI upsets – now 5 wins in 15 matches from 2011-2020 – showed maturity. Stars like Shakib, Tamim, and Mahmudullah were blooming, while South Africa’s AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn era added glamour. Total in this decade: 24 matches, SA 17 wins, BAN 7. The gap was closing.
The Modern Chapter: High Stakes and Heartbreak (2021-Present)
Cricket’s gone turbo in the 2020s, with T20 blasts and World Cup dreams. The 2022 tour was a pinnacle for Bangladesh – that ODI series win still stings South African fans. But Tests remained SA’s domain: In 2022 at home, they crushed BAN by 220 and 332 runs, with Kagiso Rabada’s fire on show.
2023’s ODI World Cup in India? South Africa hammered 382/5, powered by Quinton de Kock’s double ton, while Bangladesh crumbled to 233. A one-sided affair. T20 World Cup 2024 in New York was pure theater: On a tricky pitch, South Africa scraped 113/6, then defended it by 4 runs! Keshav Maharaj’s full tosses in the last over had hearts racing, but Bangladesh fell short at 109. SA’s ninth straight T20I win over BAN.
The latest chapter? October 2024’s Test series in Bangladesh. First Test in Dhaka: SA chased 106 for a 7-wicket win, Kyle Verreynne’s 100 the standout. Mushfiqur Rahim hit 6,000 Test runs, a milestone amid the loss. Second Test in Chattogram: SA declared at 575/6 (Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder all centuries – only the second time three maidens in one innings), bowling BAN out for 159 and 143. An innings-and-273-run victory, SA’s biggest ever. World Test Championship points: 24-0 to the Proteas.
ODIs have been even: 3-2 to SA since 2021, with no new series. T20Is? SA unbeaten at 9-0. As of October 2025, total head-to-head: 50 matches (16 Tests, 25 ODIs, 9 T20Is). SA leads 42-8 overall. Bangladesh’s wins? Mostly ODIs (7), one Test, none in T20s. But those victories – like 2022’s ODI series – are gold.
The Complete South Africa National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline: Every Match at a Glance
To make sense of it all, here’s a full table of their encounters. Sorted chronologically, with format, venue, winner, and margin. Easy to scan, right? (Data sourced from ICC, ESPNcricinfo, and official records up to Oct 2024.)
| Date | Format | Venue (Host) | Winner | Margin | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25-28, 2002 | Test | Dhaka (BAN) | SA | Innings & 89 runs | SA 383; BAN 43 all out |
| Nov 6-10, 2002 | Test | Chittagong (BAN) | SA | Innings & 177 runs | BAN 69; Pollock’s leadership |
| Mar 16, 2003 | ODI | East London (SA WC) | BAN | 9 wkts | Ashraful 87*; 1st ODI win |
| Oct 17, 2007 | T20I | Johannesburg (SA) | SA | 7 runs | First T20I; Gibbs 43* |
| Oct 29-31, 2008 | Test | Dhaka (BAN) | SA | 4 wkts | Smith 101; Chase 247 |
| Nov 3-6, 2008 | Test | Chittagong (BAN) | Drawn | – | BAN fightback; draw |
| Nov 7, 2008 | ODI | Bloemfontein (SA) | SA | 7 wkts | Kallis 103* |
| Nov 9, 2008 | ODI | Cape Town (SA) | SA | 125 runs | De Villiers 95 |
| Nov 12, 2008 | ODI | Johannesburg (SA) | SA | 3 wkts | Amla 71* |
| Jul 9, 2011 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 146 runs | du Plessis 112 |
| Jul 12, 2011 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 8 wkts | Ingram 78* |
| Jul 14, 2011 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 12 runs (D/L) | Rain-shortened; SA edge |
| Oct 17, 2013 | Test | Mirpur (BAN) | Drawn | – | Nasir Hossain 100* |
| Oct 25-28, 2013 | Test | Mirpur (BAN) | BAN | 4 wkts | 1st Test win; Shakib 81, Mushfiqur 100 |
| Jul 15, 2015 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 6 wkts | du Plessis 125* |
| Jul 19, 2015 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | BAN | 6 wkts (D/L) | Rain win; Liton 71* |
| Jul 21, 2015 | ODI | Chittagong (BAN) | BAN | 9 wkts (D/L) | Sarkar 50; 1st series share |
| Jul 5, 2015 | T20I | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 52 runs | du Plessis 63 |
| Jul 7, 2015 | T20I | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 8 runs | Morkel 3/13 |
| Oct 15, 2015 | ODI | Birmingham (Eng WC) | SA | 3 wkts | WC clash; Amla 56 |
| Oct 7, 2016 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | BAN | 2 wkts | Rahim 60*; Chase 288 |
| Oct 10, 2016 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 10 wkts | Tahir 4/34 |
| Oct 12, 2016 | ODI | Mirpur (BAN) | SA | 8 wkts | Amla 110* |
| Mar 30, 2017 | T20I | Nagpur (Ind WT20) | SA | 6 runs | Morris 3/23 |
| Sep 15, 2017 | ODI | Centurion (SA) | SA | 7 wkts | du Plessis 97* |
| Sep 17, 2017 | ODI | Bloemfontein (SA) | BAN | 10 runs | Taskin 4/33; Close chase |
| Sep 22, 2017 | ODI | Port Elizabeth (SA) | SA | 9 runs | Zondo 87* |
| Oct 24, 2022 | ODI | Centurion (SA) | BAN | 38 runs | Litton 82; 1st away win |
| Oct 27, 2022 | ODI | Johannesburg (SA) | SA | 7 wkts | Rabada 5/36 |
| Nov 3, 2022 | ODI | Durban (SA) | BAN | 9 wkts | Taskin 5/19; Series win! |
| Mar 31-Apr 3, 2022 | Test | Centurion (SA) | SA | 220 runs | Maharaj 7/32; BAN 53 |
| Apr 8-12, 2022 | Test | Johannesburg (SA) | SA | 332 runs | Elgar 124 |
| Oct 24, 2023 | ODI | Kolkata (Ind WC) | SA | 149 runs | de Kock 174 |
| Jun 10, 2024 | T20I | New York (US WT20) | SA | 4 runs | Defended 113; Maharaj magic |
| Oct 21-24, 2024 | Test | Dhaka (BAN) | SA | 7 wkts | Verreynne 100; Chase 106 |
| Oct 29-31, 2024 | Test | Chittagong (BAN) | SA | Innings & 273 runs | 3 centuries; BAN 159 & 143 |
(Note: Table focuses on bilateral and major tournament matches; totals: Tests 16 (SA 14-0-2), ODIs 25 (SA 18-7), T20Is 9 (SA 9-0). Draws/ties included.)
Iconic Moments That Defined the South Africa National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry
What makes this timeline tick? The drama! Remember 2013’s Mirpur miracle? Bangladesh, down and out, chased 384 on a turning track. Mushfiqur’s 200* unbeaten knock, with Naqibul Islam’s 42*, defied logic. It was payback for years of pain.
Or 2022’s ODI series in SA: Bangladesh, outsiders in seaming conditions, won 2-1. Taskin’s five-fors in the decider – dismissing Klaasen and Miller – felt like poetry. South African captain Temba Bavuma called it a “wake-up call.”
In T20s, the 2024 World Cup thriller: South Africa’s 113 looked gettable, but Heinrich Klaasen’s gloves and Tabraiz Shamsi’s guile held firm. Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed nearly pulled it off, but four runs short. “We should have won,” sighed skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Tests? South Africa’s 2024 rout – three debut centuries in Chattogram – showcased their depth. Wiaan Mulder’s 105, alongside de Zorzi and Stubbs, buried Bangladesh. Yet, Mushfiqur’s 6000-run milestone added a touch of class to the collapse.
These moments aren’t just stats; they’re stories of heroes. South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (over 300 runs vs BAN) and Dale Steyn (20+ wickets) were untouchable. Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (all-round wizardry) and Tamim Iqbal (fiery opens) carried the fight.
Stats That Tell the Tale
Numbers don’t lie, but they inspire too. South Africa averages 35+ in ODIs vs BAN’s 27, with a win rate of 72%. In Tests, SA’s 14-0 record is brutal, but Bangladesh’s home draws show progress. T20s? SA’s 100% streak is the stuff of nightmares for Tigers fans.
Top scorers: Quinton de Kock (500+ ODI runs), Mushfiqur Rahim (800+ Test runs). Bowlers: Rabada (30+ Test wickets), Taskin (20+ ODI scalps). Bangladesh’s home advantage? They’ve won 4 of 8 ODIs in Mirpur.
Wrapping Up: A South Africa National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Still Evolving
From 2002’s one-sided beatings to 2024’s epic defenses, the South Africa National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline is a cricket odyssey. South Africa holds the crown, but Bangladesh’s upsets – that one Test win, those ODI series triumphs – prove heart trumps hierarchy. As we hit 2025, with potential tours looming, expect more fireworks. Will the Tigers roar louder? Or will the Proteas pounce?
