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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline is a relatively short but increasingly competitive chapter in international cricket. Unlike many traditional international rivalries, Afghanistan and South Africa did not play each other regularly in bilateral cricket during the early years of Afghanistan’s rise. Their initial meetings came mainly in ICC tournaments.
South Africa dominated the early encounters, winning their first six matches against Afghanistan across ODI and T20I cricket. Afghanistan finally broke through in September 2024, defeating South Africa by six wickets in the first ODI of their historic bilateral series in Sharjah. Afghanistan then won the second ODI by 177 runs to secure their first-ever series victory over a top-five-ranked ODI team.
Since then, the rivalry has become more competitive. South Africa defeated Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy and also won an extraordinary double-Super-Over thriller at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan Vs South Africa Timeline: Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First international meeting | 2010 T20 World Cup |
| First ODI meeting | 2019 Cricket World Cup |
| First bilateral series | 2024 |
| First Afghanistan win | 2024 ODI |
| First Afghanistan series win | 2024 ODI series |
| Most recent meeting | 2026 T20 World Cup |
| Latest winner | South Africa |
| Test meetings | None |
| Main competitions | T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, bilateral ODIs |
The first three T20I meetings between the teams took place at the 2010, 2016 and 2024 Men’s T20 World Cups, while the first two ODI meetings came at the 2019 and 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cups. The 2024 Sharjah series was their first bilateral ODI series.
2010: First Afghanistan Vs South Africa Meeting
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline began at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in Barbados.
Afghanistan were playing in their first major global T20 tournament and faced one of the strongest teams in the competition. South Africa batted first and scored 139/7.
Afghanistan struggled badly against South Africa’s pace attack. They slipped to 32/8 before Hamid Hassan and Mirwais Ashraf offered some resistance.
Afghanistan eventually finished on 80 all out, giving South Africa a 59-run victory.
Hamid Hassan was Afghanistan’s standout bowler, taking 3/21. South Africa’s pace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Charl Langeveldt combined for nine wickets.
2010 T20 World Cup
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 139/7 | Won |
| Afghanistan | 80 all out | Lost by 59 runs |
The match demonstrated the huge difference in experience between the two sides at that stage.
2016: South Africa Win Again in the T20 World Cup
The teams met again at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in Mumbai.
South Africa produced a powerful batting performance, scoring 209/5 in 20 overs. Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad provided some entertainment with a rapid 44 from only 19 balls, including five sixes and three fours.
However, Afghanistan could not maintain the required scoring rate and South Africa completed a 37-run victory.
2016 T20 World Cup Result
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 209/5 | Won |
| Afghanistan | 172/7 | Lost by 37 runs |
The match became another important learning experience for Afghanistan as they continued developing against established Test nations.
2019: First ODI Meeting at the Cricket World Cup
The first ODI meeting between Afghanistan and South Africa took place during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in Cardiff.
South Africa won the match comfortably by nine wickets under the DLS method.
Afghanistan were bowled out for 125, with Rashid Khan top-scoring with 35 from 25 balls.
Imran Tahir was the leading South African bowler, taking 4/29. Rain reduced the contest to 48 overs per side and South Africa were set a revised target of 127.
Quinton de Kock scored 68 before being dismissed, while Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 41. South Africa reached the target with nine wickets remaining and 116 balls to spare.
2019 ODI World Cup Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 125 all out | Lost |
| South Africa | 131/1 | Won by 9 wickets, DLS |
The result gave South Africa their first win of the 2019 World Cup after defeats against England, Bangladesh and India.
2023: South Africa Defeat Afghanistan Again
The teams met again at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad.
Afghanistan batted first and produced a competitive 244/9. Azmatullah Omarzai was the star with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 97.
South Africa’s bowlers kept Afghanistan from reaching an even bigger score. Gerald Coetzee took 4/44, while Keshav Maharaj claimed two wickets.
South Africa’s chase became more difficult than expected. Afghanistan’s spinners kept pressure on the South African batting order, and Rashid Khan dismissed important batters including Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen.
However, Rassie van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 76, guiding South Africa to 247/5 and a five-wicket victory.
2023 World Cup Result
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 244/9 | Lost |
| South Africa | 247/5 | Won by 5 wickets |
The defeat ended Afghanistan’s 2023 World Cup campaign, while South Africa advanced to the knockout stage.
2024: Afghanistan Make History Against South Africa
The biggest turning point in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline came in 2024.
Before September 2024, South Africa had won every international match they had played against Afghanistan.
The two teams then agreed to play a historic three-match ODI series in the UAE. The series was significant because it was the first-ever bilateral series between Afghanistan and South Africa.
2024 First ODI: Afghanistan’s First Victory
The first ODI was played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 18 September 2024.
South Africa chose to bat first but collapsed dramatically.
The Proteas were reduced to 36/7, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar causing major damage.
South Africa eventually scored only 106.
Afghanistan initially lost three wickets for 38 runs but recovered through Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai. The pair remained unbeaten and guided Afghanistan to victory in only 26 overs.
Afghanistan won by six wickets, recording their first victory against South Africa in any format.
2024 First ODI
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 106 all out | Lost |
| Afghanistan | 107/4 | Won by 6 wickets |
Fazalhaq Farooqi took four wickets, while Ghazanfar claimed three.
2024 Second ODI: Afghanistan Win by 177 Runs
Two days later, Afghanistan produced an even more impressive performance.
Afghanistan scored 311/4 after being asked to bat first.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 105, while Azmatullah Omarzai smashed an unbeaten 86 from only 50 balls. Rahmat Shah also contributed a half-century.
South Africa’s chase collapsed spectacularly.
Rashid Khan celebrated his 26th birthday with a brilliant 5/19, while Nangeyalia Kharote took four wickets.
South Africa were bowled out for just 134, giving Afghanistan a massive 177-run victory.
2024 Second ODI
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 311/4 | Won |
| South Africa | 134 all out | Lost by 177 runs |
The victory was Afghanistan’s largest ODI win by runs at that time. It also gave Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead and their first bilateral series win against South Africa.
2024 Third ODI: South Africa Avoid Whitewash
South Africa responded in the final ODI of the series.
Afghanistan were dismissed for 169, although Rahmanullah Gurbaz played an important innings of 89.
South Africa chased the target successfully, reaching 170/3 in 33 overs.
Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 69, while Tristan Stubbs scored an unbeaten 26.
South Africa won by seven wickets, reducing the final series score to 2-1 in Afghanistan’s favour.
2024 ODI Series Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | Afghanistan won by 177 runs |
| 3rd ODI | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| Series | Afghanistan won 2-1 |
The series was historically important because Afghanistan became the first team to win a bilateral ODI series against South Africa in their first such series.
2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
The teams met again just months later at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this time in the semi-final.
Afghanistan had reached the final four of a Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time, creating one of the biggest moments in their cricket history.
South Africa, however, produced a superb bowling performance.
Afghanistan were bowled out for just 56, their lowest total in the tournament.
South Africa chased the target with 60/1, winning by nine wickets.
The result sent South Africa into their first Men’s T20 World Cup final.
2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 56 all out | Lost |
| South Africa | 60/1 | Won by 9 wickets |
The match showed how quickly the rivalry had changed. Afghanistan had beaten South Africa twice in the ODI series, but the Proteas responded strongly in the most important T20 match of the year.
2025: South Africa Win at the Champions Trophy
Afghanistan and South Africa met again at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The match was played on 21 February 2025, with Afghanistan making their Champions Trophy debut.
South Africa batted first and scored 315/6.
Ryan Rickelton produced an outstanding innings, scoring 103 from 106 balls for his maiden ODI century.
Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram also contributed important runs.
Afghanistan struggled in reply and were bowled out for 208.
South Africa therefore won by 107 runs. Kagiso Rabada was among the key bowlers with three wickets.
2025 Champions Trophy
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 315/6 | Won |
| Afghanistan | 208 all out | Lost by 107 runs |
This was another important chapter because it showed South Africa’s ability to respond after Afghanistan’s historic 2024 ODI series win.
2026: Double Super Over Thriller
One of the most extraordinary matches in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline came at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad.
South Africa batted first and scored 187/6.
Quinton de Kock scored 59 from 41 balls, while Ryan Rickelton produced an explosive 61 from 28 balls. Their partnership helped South Africa build a strong total.
Afghanistan’s chase was led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Gurbaz scored 84, including seven sixes and four fours, and kept Afghanistan in contention throughout the innings.
Afghanistan eventually reached 187, tying the match.
The first Super Over also ended level, with both teams scoring 17.
For the first time in T20 World Cup history, a match required two Super Overs.
South Africa then scored 23 in the second Super Over through David Miller and Tristan Stubbs.
Keshav Maharaj defended the total, restricting Afghanistan to 19/2.
South Africa won by four runs in the second Super Over.
2026 T20 World Cup Result
| Stage | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation innings | 187/6 | 187 |
| First Super Over | 17 | 17 |
| Second Super Over | 23/0 | 19/2 |
| Result | South Africa won | Lost by 4 runs |
The match became the first in T20 World Cup history to require two Super Overs, making it one of the most memorable matches in the rivalry.
Afghanistan Vs South Africa Head-to-Head Timeline
The rivalry has been played entirely in limited-overs cricket so far.
| Year | Format | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | T20I | South Africa |
| 2016 | T20I | South Africa |
| 2019 | ODI | South Africa |
| 2023 | ODI | South Africa |
| 2024 | ODI | Afghanistan |
| 2024 | ODI | Afghanistan |
| 2024 | ODI | South Africa |
| 2024 | T20I | South Africa |
| 2025 | ODI | South Africa |
| 2026 | T20I | South Africa |
Based on these completed international meetings, South Africa have won 9 of the 10 matches, while Afghanistan have won 1. Afghanistan’s sole victory in the overall record was their first ODI in September 2024, although they subsequently won the 2024 bilateral ODI series 2-1. The official ICC historical announcement confirms that before the 2024 bilateral series, South Africa had won all previous six meetings.
Format-Wise Afghanistan Vs South Africa Record
| Format | Meetings through 2026 | Afghanistan Wins | South Africa Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| T20I | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Test | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 2 | 8 |
The ODI count includes the two 2019 and 2023 World Cup matches, the three 2024 bilateral ODIs and the 2025 Champions Trophy match. The T20I count includes the 2010, 2016, 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup meetings. The 2024 bilateral series announcement confirms the earlier ODI and T20I meeting history.
Biggest Afghanistan Vs South Africa Results
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | T20 World Cup | South Africa won by 59 runs |
| 2016 | T20 World Cup | South Africa won by 37 runs |
| 2019 | ODI World Cup | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 2023 | ODI World Cup | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
| 2024 | 1st ODI | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| 2024 | 2nd ODI | Afghanistan won by 177 runs |
| 2024 | 3rd ODI | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup semi-final | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy | South Africa won by 107 runs |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup | South Africa won by 4 runs after two Super Overs |
Key Players in the Rivalry
Rashid Khan has been one of Afghanistan’s most important players against South Africa. His five-wicket haul in the second ODI of the 2024 series was central to Afghanistan’s historic 177-run victory.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has also played several important innings. He scored 105 in the second ODI of the 2024 series and later made 84 during the extraordinary 2026 double-Super-Over T20 World Cup match.
Azmatullah Omarzai played an important role in Afghanistan’s first ODI victory, remaining unbeaten on 25, and then scored 86 not out in the second ODI.
For South Africa, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi have all played important roles in different meetings. Rickelton scored 103 in the 2025 Champions Trophy, while de Kock and Rickelton made major contributions in the 2026 T20 World Cup thriller.
Memorable Matches in the Timeline
Afghanistan’s first win in 2024: The six-wicket victory in Sharjah was the moment Afghanistan finally defeated South Africa in international cricket.
Afghanistan’s 177-run victory: The second ODI of the 2024 series remains one of Afghanistan’s biggest statements against a major cricket nation.
2024 T20 World Cup semi-final: South Africa responded to the ODI series defeat by bowling Afghanistan out for 56 and reaching their first Men’s T20 World Cup final.
2026 double Super Over: The Ahmedabad thriller produced a unique T20 World Cup record and showed how competitive the two sides had become in the shortest format.
Why Afghanistan Vs South Africa Matches Are Important
The rivalry is important because it reflects Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket.
South Africa were comfortably ahead in the early meetings. Afghanistan struggled against the Proteas in the 2010, 2016 and 2019 global tournaments.
The 2023 World Cup produced another South African victory, but Afghanistan’s overall cricketing development was becoming increasingly visible.
That development reached a major milestone in 2024. Afghanistan defeated South Africa for the first time and then won the bilateral ODI series 2-1. The ICC described it as Afghanistan’s first series win against a top-five-ranked ODI side.
South Africa subsequently demonstrated their own strength by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final, the 2025 Champions Trophy meeting and the remarkable 2026 T20 World Cup encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Afghanistan and South Africa first play each other?
Afghanistan and South Africa first met at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in Barbados. South Africa won by 59 runs.
When did Afghanistan first beat South Africa?
Afghanistan recorded their first international victory over South Africa in the first ODI of the 2024 bilateral series in Sharjah. Afghanistan won by six wickets.
When did Afghanistan first win a series against South Africa?
Afghanistan won their first bilateral ODI series against South Africa in 2024. They won the three-match series 2-1.
What was Afghanistan’s biggest win over South Africa?
Afghanistan’s biggest victory over South Africa was their 177-run win in the second ODI at Sharjah on 20 September 2024.
Who won the Afghanistan vs South Africa 2024 ODI series?
Afghanistan won the 2024 three-match ODI series 2-1.
Who won the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final between Afghanistan and South Africa?
South Africa won the semi-final by nine wickets after bowling Afghanistan out for 56.
Who won Afghanistan vs South Africa in the 2025 Champions Trophy?
South Africa won by 107 runs after scoring 315/6 and bowling Afghanistan out for 208.
Who won the Afghanistan vs South Africa 2026 T20 World Cup match?
South Africa won the extraordinary match after two Super Overs. The teams tied at 187 in regulation play and then at 17 in the first Super Over before South Africa won the second Super Over.
How many times have Afghanistan and South Africa played each other?
Through their 2026 T20 World Cup meeting, Afghanistan and South Africa had played 10 completed men’s international matches: six ODIs and four T20Is. There have been no Test matches between them.
Key Takeaways
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline has developed rapidly despite being a relatively young international rivalry.
- South Africa won the first six meetings across the 2010, 2016, 2019, 2023 and early 2024 encounters.
- Afghanistan recorded their first-ever victory against South Africa in September 2024.
- Afghanistan won the 2024 bilateral ODI series 2-1.
- Afghanistan’s 177-run win in the second ODI was their biggest victory over South Africa.
- South Africa won the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final by nine wickets.
- South Africa beat Afghanistan by 107 runs in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
- The 2026 T20 World Cup meeting required two Super Overs, with South Africa eventually winning by four runs.
The rivalry has therefore moved from clear South African dominance to a much more competitive contest. Afghanistan’s historic 2024 ODI series victory proved that they could defeat established international teams, while South Africa’s subsequent victories showed the Proteas remained a formidable opponent across major tournaments.
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