Why South Africans take such great delight in watching Australia lose
Australia's Nathan Ellis reacts after a delivery during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 16, 2026. Picture: Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP
Image: Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP
As I watched, with great excitement, Australia lose to Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup on Monday, it got me thinking - why do South Africans enjoy it so much when the Aussies lose?
The obvious answer is that, in cricket at least, Australia is South Africa’s greatest rival, so it’s a bit like a Man United fan taking joy in seeing Liverpool lose.
However, it goes even deeper than that.
South Africa and Australia in terms of sporting culture are extremely similar. Except when it comes to the Springboks over the last decade, the match-ups between the two countries are always great contests.
The 2018 Ball Tampering Scandal: A Double Standard in Cricket
Take for example the ball tampering ‘sandpaper scandal’ which exploded in the 2018 Test series between Australia and the Proteas in Cape Town. There was absolutely no reference made to Faf du Plessis a few years earlier (2013), who had roughed up the ball on the zip of his pockets.
I always felt the Aussies got a rough deal during that scandal, since South Africa were guilty of pretty similar offences, or worse in their history - like the match-fixing saga with Hansie Cronje.
These comparisons alone will make many a South African’s blood boil, and I no doubt will get a lot of emails about this story from angry readers.
Personal beliefs aside though, there’s just something quite exhilarating about watching the Aussie cricket team lose.
The real reason though, I believe, is that they’re so damn good. They win limited overs World Cup cricket titles routinely, whereas South African cricket fans have to make do with nail-biting Super Over victories over teams like Afghanistan.
There’s definitely then, a hint of jealousy. But at least right now, the Proteas are better than the Aussie cricket team at this T20 World Cup - and that’s cause for celebration even if it doesn’t lead to silverware.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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