Sri Lanka will be playing 2-Test matches in South Africa in December and January which will be part of the ICC World Test Championship. Let’s take a closer look at the Test numbers between these two sides.
Since 1993
Inaugural Test encounter
The match was played in 1993 at Moratuwa. The home team closed in on a historical win against South Africa but were denied by a heroic effort from Jonty Rhodes. The hero for Sri Lanka was skipper Arjuna Ranatunga who mastered a 131 in the second innings, setting the visitors a target of 365 runs. The visitors were reeling in the pursuit at 92/4 and then 199/7 but an outstanding unbeaten 101 by Rhodes saved the day as they survived on 251/7 at close.
First Win for South Africa
1993 – 2nd Test at SSC – won by an innings and 208 runs
First Win for Sri Lanka
2000 – 1st Test at Galle – won by an innings and 15 runs
Arthur opens up on team selection and preparations in South Africa
Head-to-Head Test Record
Played – 29
Sri Lanka – 9
South Africa – 14
Draws – 6
Recap of the last decade
| Year | Host | Winner | Result |
| 2011/12 | South Africa | South Africa | 2-1 (3) |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 1-0 (2) |
| 2016/17 | South Africa | South Africa | 3-0 (3) |
| 2018 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | 2-0 (2) |
| 2019 | South Africa | Sri Lanka | 2-0 (2) |
In South Africa
Prior to Sri Lanka’s last visit to the rainbow nation, they played 10 Tests and managed a solitary win. Their only victory was a 208-run win which came in Durban in 2011.
However, Sri Lanka managed to turn things around in their last tour as they won both matches, including the miraculous win at Durban thanks to a once in a lifetime innings by Kusal Perera.
Head-to-Head Test record in South Africa
Played – 15
Sri Lanka – 3
South Africa – 11
Draw – 1
At SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sri Lanka haven’t played a Test match at Centurion since 2011 and have lost all 4 matches they’ve played at the venue.
Played – 4
Sri Lanka – 0
South Africa – 4
Draw – 0
Update: Sri Lanka squad for South Africa tour
At the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Both matches played between the sides at Johannesburg were won by the home team convincingly (Wins by innings)
Played – 2
Sri Lanka – 0
South Africa – 2
Draw – 0
Team Records
- Highest team total – 756/5 dec. (Sri Lanka at SSC, 2006)
- Highest team total for South Africa – 580/4 dec. (at Cape Town, 2012)
- Lowest team total – 73 all out (South Africa at Galle, 2018)
- Lowest team total for Sri Lanka – 95 all out (at Cape Town, 2001)
Batting Records
- Most runs – Mahela Jayawardene (1782 runs in 32 innings at 57.48)
- Most runs for South Africa – Daryll Cullinan (917 runs in 19 innings at 53.94)
- Most runs in South Africa – Jacques Kallis (576 runs in 15 innings at 41.14)
- Most runs in South Africa (for SL) – Kumar Sangakkara (572 runs in 16 innings at 35.75)
- Highest individual score – Mahela Jayawardene (374 at SSC, 2006)
- Highest individual score for South Africa – Jacques Kallis (224 at Cape Town, 2012)
- Highest individual score for Sri Lanka (in SA) – Kusal Perera (153* at Durban, 2019)
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (104 wickets in 27 innings at 22.22)
- Most wickets for South Africa – Shaun Pollock (48 wickets in 24 innings at 22.33)
- Most wickets in South Africa – Muttiah Muralitharan (35 wickets in 10 innings at 26.02)
- Most wickets for South Africa (in SA) – Vernon Philander (33 wickets in 10 innings at 13.63)
- Best bowling – Keshav Maharaj (9 for 129 at SSC, 2018)
- Best bowling for Sri Lanka – Muttiah Muralitharan (7 for 84 at Galle, 2000)
>>Sri Lanka v South Africa 2020/21<<
