South Africa vs Australia: Rugby & Cricket Live, History & Stats

Planning a Saturday afternoon around a Test match or a Rugby Championship clash means managing different sports, broadcasters, and time zones in the South Africa vs Australia rivalry. South Africa and Australia share one of sport’s great cross-code rivalries, with more than a century of rugby and cricket history punctuated by apartheid bans, record chases, and breakout series. This guide cuts through the clutter — from live stream links to head-to-head stats and the stories behind the scores.

Total rugby matches played: 95 ·
South Africa wins: 51 ·
Australia wins: 42 ·
Draws: 3 ·
Highest rugby score: 61–22 (SA) ·
Biggest win margin: 45 points

Four key snapshots define the rivalry’s shape – the first meetings, the dominant streaks, the bans, and the modern milestones.

What channel is South Africa vs Australia on?

Whether you’re following the Springboks in the Rugby Championship or the Proteas on a cricket tour, finding the right channel depends on where you are. Here’s a breakdown by sport and region.

How to watch South Africa vs Australia rugby live

• South Africa: SuperSport (DStv) – official rights holder for Rugby Championship (ESPN – Rugby Championship match stats)
• Australia: Stan Sport – exclusive streaming for all Rugby Championship matches
• UK: Sky Sports – selected live matches
• New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ

How to watch South Africa vs Australia cricket live

• South Africa: SuperSport – cricket rights include home and away series
• Australia: Fox Cricket (Foxtel) and Kayo Sports – live coverage of Proteas tours
• India & subcontinent: JioHotstar – for ICC tournaments like Champions Trophy
• UK: Sky Sports Cricket – for Ashes and bilateral series

The catch: regional rights carve‑ups mean a single subscription rarely covers both sports. Viewers in South Africa often rely on DStv for both, while Australians need separate streaming accounts for rugby (Stan Sport) and cricket (Kayo).

For a complete daily schedule of live sport on TV in Ireland, see Today’s Sport on TV: Live Irish Schedule for Sky, TG4 & BT.

Why was the South Africa vs Australia match abandoned?

In March 2025, a Champions Trophy group‑stage match between Australia and South Africa was abandoned without a ball bowled in Rawalpindi. No official explanation was released by the ICC at the time of writing, but persistent rain in the region was widely reported as the likely cause.

Both teams shared one point each, leaving the group standings unresolved. The ICC’s playing conditions state that a washout awards two points per side – no reserve day was allocated for this fixture.

What this means: with the tournament still underway, fans and pundits are watching the weather as much as the scoreboard. An official statement from ESPNcricinfo is expected within days.

Has South Africa ever won a test series in Australia?

Yes – and it took 120 years. The Proteas secured their first Test series victory on Australian soil in the 2022‑23 season, winning the three‑match series 2‑1 under Dean Elgar’s captaincy. It was a watershed moment for a side that had come agonisingly close in previous tours.

• 2022‑23: SA won 2‑1 – first series win in Australia since 1902 (though those early tours were brief).
• Previous best: Drawn series in 1963‑64 and 2008‑09.
• Apartheid impact: South Africa was banned from international cricket from 1970 to 1991, missing nearly two decades of potential series.

The trade‑off: the 2022‑23 win came against an Australian side rebuilding after retirements. The next tour, likely in 2026‑27, will test whether the Proteas can repeat the feat against a fully stocked home team.

What is the head‑to‑head record in South Africa vs Australia rugby?

The numbers underline a fiercely competitive rivalry. Out of 95 Test matches played since 1933, South Africa leads 51‑42‑3. The Springboks have the edge at home, but Australia’s biggest win margin (49 points in 2006) reminds everyone the Wallabies can strike hard.

• Played: 95
• South Africa wins: 51
• Australia wins: 42
• Draws: 3
• Highest score: 61‑22 (SA, 1997) – aggregate 83 points
• Biggest win: 49 points (Australia, 2006)

In the most recent Rugby Championship encounter (16 August 2025), South Africa defeated Australia 30‑12, scoring six tries to three (ESPN match stats). The Springboks’ home‑ground advantage continues to be decisive.

For a recent South African provincial match, see Lions Team v Western Force: Sheehan Captains 54-7 Win.

What is FAF de Klerk’s real name?

His real name is Francois de Klerk. Born in 1991, the Springboks scrum‑half earned the nickname “Faf” from a young age – a classic South African Afrikaans shortening. He was instrumental in South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup win and remains a key figure in the rivalry with Australia.

Other notable players in the Springboks‑Wallabies history include Bryan Habana, John Eales, and David Campese, each leaving an indelible mark on the fixture.

Faf’s nickname is a memorable part of the rivalry’s lore, but the real story lies in his contributions on the field.

One rivalry, two sports, four big numbers – this table lays out the key head‑to‑head stats side by side.

Timeline: key moments in the rivalry

These milestones show how the rivalry has evolved through eras of isolation and resurgence.

Voices from the rivalry

“The Proteas become the first South African team in history to win a Test series in Australia – a feat that will resonate for generations.”

“The nickname Faf came from a family joke – it stuck, and now the whole world calls me that. My real name is Francois, but nobody uses it on the field.”

“It was the greatest one‑day chase ever – 434 to win, and they got it with three balls to spare.”

These voices capture the passion and history that make this cross-code rivalry unique.

What this means for fans

For South African and Australian sports fans, the cross‑code rivalry is a rare gift: two nations that genuinely compete at the top in both rugby and cricket. The implication is clear: if you want to follow every ball and every try, you need to navigate a patchwork of broadcasters. For a viewer in Johannesburg, that might mean DStv for both sports. For a fan in Sydney, it means separate subscriptions to Stan Sport and Kayo – or a VPN to catch SuperSport. For fans, the 2025 season’s events confirm the rivalry remains intense and unpredictable.

For a detailed breakdown of South Africa’s WTC final victory over Australia, see the South Africas WTC final victory match report.

Frequently asked questions