Let’s be honest. When Afghanistan first walked onto a cricket field against South Africa back in 2010, nobody expected a rivalry. South Africa were giants. Afghanistan were the new kids on the block, playing their very first T20 World Cup. The gap was massive.
Fast forward to 2026, and the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline tells a completely different story. It is a story of Afghan grit, Proteas power, and some genuinely jaw-dropping cricket moments that nobody saw coming.
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team rivalry has gone from a mismatch to one of the most talked-about matchups in world cricket. Afghanistan shocked South Africa 2-1 in a 2024 ODI series. Then, just months later, Gurbaz and company nearly pulled off another heist at the T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad, before a double Super Over broke Afghan hearts.
So, whether you are searching for SA vs AFG records, AFG vs SA head-to-head data, or just want to relive every incredible moment between these two sides, you are in the right place. Let’s break it all down.
Last Updated: July 04, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All match data, statistics, and records have been compiled from publicly available and reputable cricket databases. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and reliability, readers are encouraged to verify important information with official sources, as cricket records are subject to updates and revisions
Overall Head-to-Head Summary: SA vs AFG
Before we go match by match, here is the big picture. The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Stats across all formats tell a story of South African dominance in T20s and a surprising Afghan uprising in ODIs.
| Format | Matches Played | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins | No Result / Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| T20I | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 (1 via Super Over) |
| Test | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
South Africa lead the overall South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Standings by a comfortable margin. But those two ODI wins by Afghanistan changed the narrative completely.
The Full Match-by-Match Timeline
Here is every single match in the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline, from the very first game to the most recent thriller.
ICC T20 World Cup Matches Between SA and AFG
| Match | Date | Venue | SA Score | AFG Score | Winner | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 WC 2010 Group C | 5 May 2010 | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown | 140 | 80 all out | South Africa (won by 60 runs) | Morne Morkel (4/20) |
| T20 WC 2016 Super 10 | 20 Mar 2016 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 209/5 | 172 all out | South Africa (won by 37 runs) | Chris Morris (4/27) |
| T20 WC 2024 Semi-final | 27 Jun 2024 | Brian Lara Academy, Tarouba | 58/1 | 56 all out | South Africa (won by 9 wkts) | Tabraiz Shamsi/Marco Jansen (3 wkts each) |
| T20 WC 2026 Group D | 11 Feb 2026 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 187/6 | 187 all out | South Africa (won 2nd Super Over) | Lungi Ngidi (3/26) |
ODI ICC World Cup Matches Between SA and AFG
| Match | Date | Venue | AFG Score | SA Score | Winner | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWC 2019 Match 21 | 15 Jun 2019 | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | 125 all out (34.1 ov) | 131/1 (28.4 ov, D/L) | South Africa (by 9 wkts) | Imran Tahir (4/29) |
| CWC 2023 Match 42 | 10 Nov 2023 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 244 all out (50 ov) | 245/5 (49.2 ov) | South Africa (by 5 wkts) | Rassie van der Dussen (75) |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
| Match | Date | Venue | SA Score | AFG Score | Winner | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT 2025 Group B (Match 3) | 21 Feb 2025 | National Stadium, Karachi | 315/6 | 208 all out | South Africa (by 107 runs) | Ryan Rickelton (103) |
ODI Bilateral Series 2024 (Afghanistan vs South Africa, UAE)
| Match | Date | Venue | AFG Score | SA Score | Winner | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 18 Sep 2024 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 107/4 (26 ov) | 106 all out (33.3 ov) | Afghanistan (by 6 wkts) | Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/35) |
| 2nd ODI | 20 Sep 2024 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 311/4 (50 ov) | 134 all out (34.2 ov) | Afghanistan (by 177 runs) | Rashid Khan (5/19) |
| 3rd ODI | 22 Sep 2024 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 169 all out (34 ov) | 170/3 (33 ov) | South Africa (by 7 wkts) | Aiden Markram (69*) |
2010: Where It All Began
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline kicked off at the 2010 T20 World Cup in Bridgetown, Barbados. It was Afghanistan’s debut World Cup appearance. South Africa bowled them out for just 80 runs and chased down the target of 81 comfortably.
Morne Morkel was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 4/20 from just 3 overs. Afghanistan posted 80, South Africa won with ease. The gulf between the sides at that point was enormous.
But Afghanistan took notes. They always take notes.
2016: ABD’s Monster Show at the Wankhede
Six years later, the SA vs AFG matchup returned at the T20 World Cup 2016 in Mumbai. This time it was a proper batting feast from South Africa’s side.
AB de Villiers blazed 64 off just 29 balls with four fours and five sixes to power South Africa to 209/5. Chris Morris then took 4/27 to dismiss Afghanistan for 172. South Africa won by 37 runs. It was dominant, but Afghanistan showed they could score 172 against some of the best bowlers in the world. That was growth.
Expert Insight: Cricket analysts often point to the 2016 game as the turning point for Afghan T20 cricket. Despite losing, scoring 172 against South Africa’s pace attack showed they were no longer pushovers.
2019 ODI World Cup: Imran Tahir’s Spin Web
The first ODI clash in the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline happened at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Afghanistan batted first and managed only 125 all out in 34.1 overs.
The match had rain interruptions, and South Africa were set a revised target of 127 in 48 overs. They knocked it off with 9 wickets to spare. Imran Tahir was brilliant with 4/29. The result was clinical for South Africa. For Afghanistan, it was another lesson in how to bat under pressure.
2023 ODI World Cup: Omarzai Fights But Falls Short
Fast forward to November 2023 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This time, Afghanistan put up a fight. They posted 244 all out in 50 overs, with Azmatullah Omarzai falling agonizingly for 97. Afghanistan’s spinners Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi each took two wickets.
South Africa chased 245 in 49.2 overs, winning by 5 wickets. It was not easy. The AFG vs SA match in 2023 showed just how far Afghanistan had come as a batting unit. That 244 was respectable. Rassie van der Dussen’s steady 75 guided South Africa home, but it took effort.
2024: Afghanistan’s Historic ODI Series Win
This is the big one. If you want to understand why the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline matters in 2026, you need to understand September 2024 in Sharjah.
Match 1: The First Shock
South Africa were bowled out for 106. Yes, 106. Fazalhaq Farooqi took 4/35, and AM Ghazanfar took 3/20. Afghanistan chased it down in 26 overs with 6 wickets to spare. It was Afghanistan’s very first bilateral ODI series win over South Africa, and their first-ever ODI win against the Proteas.
Match 2: The Demolition
Gurbaz scored 105 off 107 balls, his seventh ODI century, making him Afghanistan’s all-time leading ODI centurion. Azmatullah Omarzai smashed an unbeaten 86 including the fastest half-century ever by an Afghan batter in ODIs, reaching it off just 32 balls. Afghanistan posted 311/4.
Then on Rashid Khan’s 26th birthday, he produced 5/19. Afghanistan won by 177 runs, their largest ever ODI victory. South Africa lost 10 wickets for 61 runs. The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team story had a brand new chapter.
Match 3: SA Hits Back
With Rashid nursing a hamstring injury and Farooqi rested, Afghanistan were bowled out for 169. Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten 69 off 67 balls, and South Africa won by 7 wickets. At least they avoided the whitewash.
Afghanistan won the series 2-1. It remains one of the most stunning results in ODI cricket.
2024 T20 World Cup Semi-final: 56 All Out
From the high of the ODI series win, Afghanistan reached their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final. Their opponent? South Africa. The venue? Brian Lara Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad.
Afghanistan were bowled out for 56. That’s it. 56 all out in 11.5 overs. Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi each took 3 wickets. South Africa chased 57 with 9 wickets and 11.1 overs to spare.
56 remains the lowest team total in any T20 World Cup knock-out match in history.
South Africa went on to the final, where they lost a thriller to India. But the SA vs AFG semi-final was historic in its brutality.
Rivalry: Key Players and Memorable Performances
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Players who have defined this rivalry span two generations of cricket.
Early Era (2010-2016): SA Dominance
South Africa:
- Morne Morkel: 4/20 in just 3 overs in 2010, demolished Afghanistan’s batting
- AB de Villiers: 64 off 29 balls in 2016, the innings that showed the gulf between the sides
- Imran Tahir: 4/29 in the 2019 ODI World Cup, made batting look near impossible
Afghanistan:
- Mohammad Nabi: The veteran presence who fought hard in every format
- Rashid Khan: Emerging as a teenager by 2016, already taking key wickets
Middle Era (2019-2023): The Rise of AFG
South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock: Top scorer in multiple games, consistent threat with the bat
- Kagiso Rabada: SA’s strike bowler, always a threat with the new ball
- Rassie van der Dussen: Match-winning 75 in 2023 World Cup
Afghanistan:
- Rashid Khan: Two wickets in 2023 World Cup, the key spinner SA could never fully solve
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 97 in the 2023 World Cup showed Afghan batting depth
Modern Era (2024-2026): A Full-on Rivalry
South Africa:
- Ryan Rickelton: 103 in Champions Trophy 2025, maiden ODI century
- Lungi Ngidi: 3/26 in the T20 WC 2026 thriller, Player of the Match
- Tristan Stubbs: His last-ball six in the first Super Over at T20 WC 2026 was pure drama
- David Miller: Match-winning 16* in the second Super Over
Afghanistan:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 105 in the 2024 ODI series, and 84 in the T20 WC 2026 match. The heartbeat of Afghan batting
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: 4/35 in the first ODI 2024, the man who started the shock
- Rashid Khan: 5/19 on his 26th birthday in the 2024 ODI series. Unforgettable
SA vs AFG Head-to-Head: ODI Records
| Stat | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 4 | 2 |
| Highest Team Total | 315/6 (CT 2025, Karachi) | 311/4 (2nd ODI 2024, Sharjah) |
| Lowest Team Total | 106 (1st ODI 2024, Sharjah) | 125 (CWC 2019, Cardiff) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Imran Tahir 4/29 (CWC 2019) | Rashid Khan 5/19 (2nd ODI 2024) |
| Most Runs Scorer | Rassie van der Dussen | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (194 runs in 2024 series) |
SA vs AFG Head-to-Head: T20I Records
| Stat | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 4 | 4 |
| Wins | 4 | 0 |
| Highest Team Total | 209/5 (T20 WC 2016, Mumbai) | 187 (T20 WC 2026, Ahmedabad) |
| Lowest Team Total | 58/1 (T20 WC 2024 Semi-final) | 56 all out (T20 WC 2024 Semi-final) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Morne Morkel 4/20 (T20 WC 2010) | Rashid Khan 2/28 (T20 WC 2026) |
| Most Runs Scorer (T20I) | AB de Villiers (81 runs in 2 innings) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (84 in T20 WC 2026) |
| Most Wickets (T20I) | Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada (4 each) | Azmatullah Omarzai (3/41 in T20 WC 2026) |
Greatest Wins in SA vs AFG History
| Match | Winner | Margin | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd ODI 2024 | Afghanistan | 177 runs | Sharjah | 2024 |
| T20 WC 2024 Semi-final | South Africa | 9 wickets (with 67 balls remaining) | Tarouba | 2024 |
| CWC 2019 | South Africa | 9 wickets (D/L, 116 balls remaining) | Cardiff | 2019 |
| CT 2025 | South Africa | 107 runs | Karachi | 2025 |
| T20 WC 2016 | South Africa | 37 runs | Mumbai | 2016 |
Lowest Totals in an Innings: SA vs AFG Matches
| Total | Team | Format | Match | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 all out | Afghanistan | T20I | T20 WC 2024 Semi-final | Tarouba | 2024 |
| 80 all out | Afghanistan | T20I | T20 WC 2010 | Bridgetown | 2010 |
| 106 all out | South Africa | ODI | 1st ODI 2024 | Sharjah | 2024 |
| 125 all out | Afghanistan | ODI | CWC 2019 | Cardiff | 2019 |
| 134 all out | South Africa | ODI | 2nd ODI 2024 | Sharjah | 2024 |
February 2026: The Double Super Over Classic
The most recent chapter of the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline was written at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on February 11, 2026.
South Africa posted 187/6, with Quinton de Kock (59 off 41) and Ryan Rickelton (61 off 28) sharing a 114-run second-wicket stand. During that stand, de Kock overtook AB de Villiers as South Africa’s highest-ever run-scorer in T20 World Cup history. Rashid Khan dragged Afghanistan back by dismissing both in the 13th over.
Afghanistan chased. Gurbaz was incredible. He smashed 84 off 42 balls with 4 fours and 7 sixes. With 11 needed off the last over from Kagiso Rabada, the impossible seemed possible. Noor Ahmad hit a six. Rabada bowled a no-ball, giving Afghanistan a free hit. Then, Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out by Jansen and Rabada going for a winning run on the free-hit delivery.
Match tied. 187 all, at the end of 20 overs.
First Super Over: Afghanistan batted first. Omarzai hammered Ngidi for two fours and a six, making 17. South Africa needed 18 off Farooqi. Tristan Stubbs hit the last ball for six. Tied again.
Second Super Over: SA batted first, Stubbs and David Miller hit 23. Afghanistan needed 24. Gurbaz hit three sixes off Maharaj in the final four balls but fell agonizingly short. South Africa won by 4 runs in the second Super Over.
It was the first-ever double Super Over in T20 World Cup history. And poor Gurbaz could barely watch at the end.
Champions Trophy 2025: SA Get Their First ODI Win in Years
After the 2024 ODI series loss, South Africa finally got back on track in the ODI format at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi on February 21, 2025.
Ryan Rickelton became the first South African batter to score a century on his Champions Trophy debut, stroking 103. Temba Bavuma scored 58, Rassie van der Dussen 52, and Aiden Markram 52 not out. South Africa posted 315/6.
Afghanistan needed their highest-ever successful ODI chase. They did not come close. Rahmat Shah fought with 90, and Rashid smashed a late 18 off 13 balls, but Kagiso Rabada took 3/36 and Afghanistan were bowled out for 208. South Africa won by 107 runs and it was their first ODI win after six attempts stretching back to 2023.
Where Things Stand in 2026
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline as of mid-2026 shows a rivalry that is very much alive. The ODI format has become genuinely competitive. The T20 format still leans heavily toward South Africa, though the 2026 Ahmedabad game showed Afghanistan are very close.
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Matches data tells us that while South Africa still hold the overall edge, Afghanistan are no longer a walkover in any format. That 2024 ODI series win proved it.
What Makes This Rivalry Special
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team story is, at its core, a tale about two very different journeys.
South Africa played their first Test in 1889. They have World Cup finals, Champions Trophy runs, and generations of international-level cricketers behind them. Their infrastructure, academies, and player development systems are among the best in the world.
Afghanistan only received Test status in 2017. They learned cricket in a war-torn country, often on makeshift pitches. Their players grew up practising in refugee camps, on streets, and in any open space they could find. The fact that they beat South Africa 2-1 in a bilateral ODI series in 2024 is not just a cricket result. It is a genuinely inspiring story.
When these two sides meet, you get the experience of South Africa colliding with the fearlessness of Afghanistan. That clash of styles makes every game in the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline worth watching.
Conclusion
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline has evolved from a one-sided contest into one of cricket’s most compelling storylines. It started in Bridgetown in 2010 with a 60-run South African romp. It passed through AB de Villiers’ Wankhede masterclass in 2016. It took a wild turn with Afghanistan’s 177-run ODI demolition in 2024. And it reached its most dramatic point with a double Super Over thriller in Ahmedabad in 2026.
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team stats show SA with a clear overall lead. But Afghanistan have shown they can beat anyone, in any format, on their day. As both teams continue to grow and evolve, this South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline has plenty more chapters left to write.
? FAQs
How many times have South Africa and Afghanistan played each other overall?
South Africa and Afghanistan have met 10 times across all formats, with South Africa winning 8 and Afghanistan winning 2.
Has Afghanistan ever beaten South Africa?
Yes. Afghanistan beat South Africa twice in the 2024 ODI bilateral series in Sharjah, winning the series 2-1.
What is Afghanistan’s biggest win against South Africa?
Afghanistan’s biggest win was in the 2nd ODI on September 20, 2024 in Sharjah, when they beat South Africa by 177 runs.
What is South Africa’s biggest win against Afghanistan?
South Africa’s biggest win was the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final, where they dismissed Afghanistan for 56 and won by 9 wickets with 67 balls remaining.
What happened in the T20 World Cup 2026 SA vs AFG game?
The match tied at 187 each. A first Super Over also tied. South Africa won the second Super Over by 4 runs in what became the first-ever double Super Over in T20 World Cup history.
Who has the most runs for South Africa against Afghanistan?
AB de Villiers scored 81 runs in 2 T20I innings against Afghanistan at a strike rate of 162, making him SA’s top scorer in T20Is against AFG.
Who has the most wickets for Afghanistan against South Africa?
Rashid Khan has been Afghanistan’s most impactful bowler, notably taking 5/19 on his 26th birthday in the 2nd ODI 2024 in Sharjah.
Do South Africa and Afghanistan play Tests against each other?
No. As of mid-2026, South Africa and Afghanistan have not played a Test match against each other.
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