The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline features a rare yet interesting rivalry in the world of cricket. Mostly, the matches between these two teams have been in ICC tournaments, where South Africa was more often than not in a dominant position owing to its vast experience and depth. However, passionate displays by Afghanistan and emerging talents have always made every contest gripping. The timeline took off with their very first meeting in the 2016 T20 World Cup, which South Africa won quite easily. With time, as Afghanistan strategized and honed its skills, this gap started closing up. Their latest clash in the T20 World Cup semi-final of 2024 stands on another level-high in Afghanistan’s journey excellent testimony to their evolution. This evolving rivalry promises thrilling cricketing moments ahead.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
Early Encounter to Recent Matches: Close Contests Between the two teams
Afghanistan began playing cricket much later than South Africa. Additionally, their cricket voyage was hampered by the nation’s political unrest. Despite this, Afghanistan has rapidly caught up to other cricketing nations and is now a contender for the world championships. There have not yet been any Test matches between South Africa and Afghanistan. They played each other several times in both the T20I and ODI formats.
- 2010 ICC T20 World Cup – The two sides first faced off at the 2010 T20 World Cup in Bridgetown, Barbados, when South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 59 runs. With four wickets in three overs, South African star Morne Morkel helped his team defeat Afghanistan and was voted Man of the Match.
- 2016 ICC World Twenty20 – In their 20th game of the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in Mumbai, the Proteas hosted Afghanistan once more and prevailed, although this time by a margin of just 37 runs. Afghanistan came and scored 172 runs from their 20 overs after South Africa set a goal of 210 runs from 20 overs. Chris Morris was named the game’s Man of the Match.
- 2019 ICC World Cup – In 2019, the Proteas’ first tournament match took place in Cardiff against the Afghan Atalans. Quinton de Kock scored a half-century (68) as South Africa won by 9 wickets using the D/L system in the 21st match of the 2019 ICC World Cup. Imran Tahir’s remarkable performance, taking four wickets in seven overs, earned him the title of Man of the Match.
- 2023 ICC World Cup – The South African squad again defeated Afghanistan in the 42nd match of the 2023 ICC World Cup, this time by a margin of 5 wickets. The Proteas were able to chase down Afghanistan’s 245 runs in 50 overs, scoring 247 runs in 47.3 overs.
- 2024 Afghanistan v South Africa – Afghanistan team won the 1st ODI of the 2024 ODI series, winning by in total of 6 wickets against South Africa. This was the first time that Afghanistan defeated the Proteas. South Africa won the toss and decided to bat. The Proteas scored a total of 106 runs. Afghanistan scored 107 and lost 4 wickets in 26 overs in their chase of the Proteas’ total. Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled extraordinarily well for Afghanistan, taking 4 wickets in his 7 overs, and was definitely the match-winner for Afghanistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi took the Man of the Match, bowling exceptionally for Afghanistan.
- 2024 Afghanistan v South Africa – In the second ODI match in Sharjah, Afghanistan easily defeated South Africa, a strong ICC Test Member, by a score of 177 runs, securing the first-ever ODI series. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 105 runs to reach a century, giving Afghanistan his best effort. Along with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s innings, Azmatullah Omarzai reached a half-century unbeaten with 86 runs off 50 balls. Rashid Khan had a fantastic day with the ball, taking five wickets in nine overs, and was named Man of the Match.
- ICC T20 World Cup 2024 – The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup semifinals begin with this game. In this match, South Africa crushed Afghanistan by nine wickets. After taking three wickets in three overs, South Africa’s left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen was awarded Player of the Match.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy – South Africa easily defeated Afghanistan by 107 runs in the third game of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Karachi. Afghanistan is participating in the Champions Trophy for the first time. After winning the toss, the South African side decided to bat first. Ryan Rickelton scored a century (103 runs) on an incredible day. Both Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram scored fifty runs (52 runs). Rahmat Shah, with 90 runs, was Afghanistan’s top performer. The Man of the Match award went to Ryan Rickelton.
In conclusion, the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline shows an evolving rivalry characterized by growth, determination, and competitiveness. As Afghanistan continues to develop its reputation, the future will produce even greater and more memorable encounters.
Afghanistan vs South Africa Head to Head Records
Head to Head in ODI
| Afghanistan | South Africa | |
| Match Played | 6 | 6 |
| Won | 2 | 4 |
| Lost | 4 | 2 |
Series Results: South Africa vs Afghanistan in ODI
| Season | Series/Tournament | Winner Team | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup (in England), 2019 | England | – |
| 2023/24 | ICC Cricket World Cup (in India), 2023/24 | Australia | – |
| 2024 | Afghanistan v South Africa ODI Series (in United Arab Emirates), 2024 | Afghanistan | 2-1 (3) |
| 2024/25 | ICC Champions Trophy (in Pakistan/United Arab Emirates), 2024/25 | India | – |
Head to Head in T20I
| Afghanistan | South Africa | |
| Match Played | 3 | 3 |
| Won | 0 | 3 |
| Lost | 3 | 0 |
South Africa vs Afghanistan All T20I & ODIs Match Results
| Match Date | Team 1 | Team 2 | Winner Team | Results | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 21, 2025 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 107 runs | Karachi |
| Sep 22, 2024 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 7 wickets | Sharjah |
| Sep 20, 2024 | Afghanistan | South Africa | Afghanistan | 177 runs | Sharjah |
| Sep 18, 2024 | Afghanistan | South Africa | Afghanistan | 6 wickets | Sharjah |
| Jun 26, 2024 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 9 wickets | Tarouba |
| Nov 10, 2023 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 5 wickets | Ahmedabad |
| Jun 15, 2019 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 9 wickets | Cardiff |
| Mar 20, 2016 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 37 runs | Wankhede |
| May 5, 2010 | Afghanistan | South Africa | South Africa | 59 runs | Bridgetown |
AFGHANISTAN vs SOUTH AFRICA – 3 ODI Series in Sharjah
- 1st ODI – Sep 18 (Wed)
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
5:30 PM IST | 12:00 PM GMT - 2nd ODI – Sep 20 (Fri)
Afghanistan won by 177 runs
5:30 PM IST | 12:00 PM GMT - 3rd ODI – Sep 22 (Sun)
South Africa won by 7 wickets
5:30 PM IST | 12:00 PM GMT
Check More Scorecards & Timelines:
- Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
- Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona Timeline
- Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard
- Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
- Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants Timeline
- Rajasthan Royals Vs Kolkata Knight Riders Timeline
- New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
- India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
- Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
- Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
