Shedding baggage worth decades, South Africa made it to the final of a cricket World Cup for the very first time in 2024. But fell short against India by 7 runs.
In 2025, they won the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia, and clinched the ICC trophy after decades. To be exact, it's been 27 years!
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South Africa's journey in ICC tournaments has been marked by highs and heartbreaks. TSN delves into Proteas' record in ICC tournaments.
How has South Africa's journey been in ICC events?
South Africa's cricketing history was marred by political turmoil, which kept them out of the ICC Cricket World Cup until 1992. When they finally debuted, they faced England in a dramatic semifinal in Sydney, where the match was affected by weather conditions, and England progressed to the final.
In subsequent ICC events, South Africa faced heartbreaking exits, none more infamous than the 1999 Cricket World Cup semifinal against Australia, where a tied match led to Australia advancing to the final. This match is remembered in cricketing lore as one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history.
In the Cricket World Cup 2015, held in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa once again reached the semifinals but was knocked out by co-hosts New Zealand in a closely contested match, which ended their campaign with mixed emotions.
The Proteas had their hearts broken once again as they lost to India by 7 runs in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at Barbados. In the very next year, they won an ICC title by beating Australia in the WTC final at the Lord's.
Have South Africa ever won an ICC trophy?
South Africa hosted the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007 but failed to advance past the Super 8s stage, disappointing their home crowd.
More: Full list of man of the match winners from all World Test Championship finals
Despite these setbacks, South Africa have won two major ICC titles - first, in the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy hosted by Bangladesh and second, under Temba Bavuma's captaincy during the WTC Final in 2025 at the Lord's.
However, they are yet to win either the ODI World Cup, or the T20 World Cup.
What is South Africa's record in ICC semifinals and finals?
Let's take a look at how South Africa have performed in ICC tournament semifinals and finals.
| Tournament | Round | Opposition | Result |
| ICC Champions Trophy 1998 | F | West Indies | Won by 4 wickets |
| ICC ODI World Cup 1992 | S/F | England | Lost by 19 runs |
| ICC Champions Trophy 1998 | S/F | Sri Lanka | Won by 92 runs |
| ICC ODI World Cup 1999 | S/F | Australia | Match tied |
| ICC Knockouts 2000 | S/F | India | Lost by 95 runs |
| ICC Champions Trophy 2002 | S/F | India | Lost by 10 runs |
| ICC ODI World Cup 2007 | S/F | Australia | Lost by 7 wickets |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2009 | S/F | Pakistan | Lost by 7 runs |
| ICC Champions Trophy 2013 | S/F | England | Lost by 7 wickets |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2014 | S/F | India | Lost by 6 wickets |
| ICC ODI World Cup 2015 | S/F | New Zealand | Lost by 4 wickets |
| ICC ODI World Cup 2023 | S/F | Australia | Lost by 3 wickets |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2024 | S/F | Afghanistan | Won by 9 wickets |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2024 | F | India | Lost by 7 runs |
| ICC WTC Final 2025 | F | Australia | Won by 5 wickets |