South Africa and Australia have shared a long and competitive history in ODI cricket, with their matches often producing memorable individual performances. While the rivalry has seen plenty of batting fireworks, bowlers have also played a major role in some of the most one-sided contests between the two sides.

Several bowlers have managed to produce match-changing spells when facing the Proteas or Australia, with some performances standing out for both their wicket hauls and remarkable economy. Here is a look at the five best bowling figures recorded in South Africa vs Australia ODIs.

Top 5 best bowling figures in SA vs AUS ODI series

1. Makhaya Ntini (South Africa) – 6/22

Makhaya Ntini holds the record for the best bowling figures in South Africa vs Australia ODIs after producing a sensational 6/22 in Cape Town in 2006. Playing in the second ODI of the series, Ntini delivered a devastating spell as South Africa defended a modest total of 234. The fast bowler tore through Australia’s top order, dismissing Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn during his destructive spell.

Ntini returned later to complete the demolition of the Australian batting lineup, finishing with six wickets in 9.3 overs. Australia were bowled out for just 93, their lowest total against South Africa at the time, as the Proteas secured a comprehensive 141-run victory. Ntini’s combination of pace, aggression and accuracy made his performance one of the most memorable bowling displays in this rivalry.

2. Andy Bichel (Australia) – 5/19

Andy Bichel produced the second-best bowling figures on this list when he claimed 5/19 against South Africa in Sydney in 2002. The Australian seamer was almost unplayable during the VB Series encounter, using relentless accuracy and late movement to dismantle the Proteas’ batting lineup.

South Africa elected to bat first but struggled to build any momentum against Bichel. He repeatedly found breakthroughs through the middle overs, removing key batters including Jonty Rhodes and Mark Boucher as the visitors were restricted to only 106. Australia then chased down the modest target with eight wickets in hand. Bichel’s five-wicket haul proved decisive as the hosts took complete control of the contest.

3. Morne Morkel (South Africa) – 5/21

Morne Morkel produced a memorable spell at the WACA in Perth in 2014, claiming 5/21 from eight overs against Australia. With South Africa defending 252, the tall fast bowler used the considerable bounce on offer to make life extremely difficult for the Australian batters. Morkel’s height allowed him to extract steep bounce from the surface, while his pace created constant pressure on the Australian lineup.

He dismissed key batters including Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell as the hosts struggled to keep their chase on track. Australia were eventually bowled out as South Africa completed a massive 154-run victory. Morkel’s spell remains one of the finest bowling performances by a South African in an ODI against Australia.

4. Nicky Boje (South Africa) – 5/21

Nicky Boje produced an outstanding performance with the ball at Newlands in Cape Town in 2002 to claim 5/21 against Australia. With South Africa setting Australia a target of 281, the visitors appeared capable of mounting a strong chase before the left-arm spinner changed the course of the contest.

Boje used changes in pace and drift to frustrate Australia’s powerful batting lineup. His spell put the brakes on the scoring rate and brought a succession of wickets as the Australian middle order struggled to find answers. His five-wicket haul helped South Africa secure a 65-run victory and underlined Boje’s ability to make a decisive impact even against one of the most dangerous batting lineups in world cricket.

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5. Cooper Connolly (Australia) – 5/22

Cooper Connolly is the latest bowler to feature among the five best figures in South Africa vs Australia ODIs after taking 5/22 in Mackay in 2025. His performance came under difficult circumstances after Australia had posted a huge 431/2. The young left-arm spinner responded brilliantly under pressure, running through South Africa’s batting lineup with an exceptional six-over spell.

His five-wicket haul helped Australia complete a dominant victory after setting an enormous target. Connolly’s figures also carried historical significance. He became the youngest Australian to claim an ODI five-wicket haul, while his 5/22 broke Brad Hogg’s long-standing record for the best ODI figures by an Australian spinner.

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