The rivalry between South Africa and the West Indies is one of the most exciting in world cricket. Since the Proteas came back to international cricket in the early 1990s, these two teams have given us plenty of drama. From the pace of Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose to the power hitting of Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran, it’s always a contest worth watching.
If you have been following the cricket lately, you will know the Proteas have been enjoying some serious success against the Windies, especially in the shortest format. But looking back at the history books, who really holds the bragging rights?
Here is the full head-to-head record between South Africa and the West Indies across all formats.
Test Cricket (1992 – 2024)
The Long Game Dominance
When it comes to the red-ball game, the Proteas have been the dominant force. Since their first encounter after readmission in 1992, a historic match in Bridgetown, South Africa has usually come out on top. The West Indies have struggled to beat South Africa in a Test series for a long time.
-
Total Matches Played: 34
-
Proteas Wins: 23
-
West Indies Wins: 3
-
Draws: 8
The Proteas are the clear kings here. Losing only 3 times in over 30 years is a massive record.
One Day Internationals (ODI) (1992 – 2023)
The 50-Over Showdown
In the 50-over format, South Africa has also been very strong. We all remember the big centuries from legends like Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla. While the West Indies have had their moments—especially in World Cups—the overall numbers lean heavily towards South Africa.
-
Total Matches Played: 64
-
Proteas Wins: 45
-
West Indies Wins: 16
-
Tied: 1
-
No Result: 2
Another comfortable win for South Africa. The Proteas win nearly three times as often as they lose against the men from the Caribbean.
T20 Internationals (2007 – 2026)
The Even Contest
This is where things get really spicy! Unlike the Tests and ODIs, the T20 record is dead even. The West Indies are famous for their T20 power, winning two World Cups, but the Proteas have fought back hard in recent years.
As of the current series in January 2026, where the Proteas have taken a 2-0 lead, the head-to-head record is perfectly balanced.
-
Total Matches Played: 28
-
Proteas Wins: 14
-
West Indies Wins: 14
-
Tied / No Result: 0
It is a tie! 14 wins each. The next match is not just about the series; it is about taking the lead in history.
The numbers don’t lie, South Africa has historically been the stronger team, but in T20 cricket, the West Indies are right there with them.
Catch the match live at 18:00 SAST or follow the updates right here on Sports-Opinions.