Introduction
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline tells one of the most fascinating stories in modern cricket. It begins with a one-sided contest in 2010 and builds toward a moment in 2024 when Afghanistan finally beat South Africa for the very first time.
For years, South Africa dominated this matchup completely. Every meeting in ICC tournaments ended with a Proteas win. But Afghanistan kept improving, kept competing, and eventually broke through. Their first-ever ODI series win against South Africa in September 2024 proved they were no longer just making up the numbers.
This timeline covers every verified meeting between the two sides, from their first T20 World Cup clash to the double Super Over drama of 2026, accurate up to October 2026.
Afghanistan vs South Africa Head-to-Head Record
Before looking at the timeline, here is the overall picture. In ODIs, South Africa won the first two meetings (2019 and 2023 World Cups) before Afghanistan won three of the next four, including the historic 2024 bilateral series. In T20Is, South Africa held a perfect record until the 2026 World Cup thriller, which they won via a second Super Over but only after Afghanistan pushed them to the absolute limit .
| Format | Matches | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins | Tied/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| T20I | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 (1 decided by Super Over) |
| Total | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
Note: T20I records include the 2026 World Cup match, officially recorded as a South Africa win after the second Super Over . Statistics accurate up to October 2026.
Complete Match Timeline
| Match Date | Format | Tournament/Series | Venue | Afghanistan Score | South Africa Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2010 | T20I | T20 World Cup | Bridgetown | 80 all out | 82/1 | SA won by 9 wickets |
| Mar 20, 2016 | T20I | T20 World Cup | Mumbai | 153/7 | 157/3 | SA won by 7 wickets |
| Jun 15, 2019 | ODI | ODI World Cup | Cardiff | 125 all out | 131/1 | SA won by 9 wickets |
| Nov 10, 2023 | ODI | ODI World Cup | Ahmedabad | 244 all out | 247/3 | SA won by 5 wickets |
| Jun 26, 2024 | T20I | T20 World Cup SF | Tarouba | 56 all out | 60/1 | SA won by 9 wickets |
| Sep 18, 2024 | ODI | Bilateral Series | Sharjah | 106/4 (26 ov) | 106 all out | AFG won by 6 wickets |
| Sep 20, 2024 | ODI | Bilateral Series | Sharjah | 311/4 | 134 all out | AFG won by 177 runs |
| Sep 22, 2024 | ODI | Bilateral Series | Sharjah | 169/7 | 170/6 | SA won by 4 wickets |
| Feb 21, 2025 | ODI | Champions Trophy | Karachi | 208 all out | 315/6 | SA won by 107 runs |
| Feb 11, 2026 | T20I | T20 World Cup | Ahmedabad | 187 all out | 187/6 | Match tied; SA won 2nd Super Over |
Sources: ICC, BBC, ESPNcricinfo
Important Matches Explained
Early ICC Meetings (2010, 2016, 2019)
Afghanistan’s first three meetings with South Africa all ended in heavy defeats. In the 2010 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan were bowled out for just 80. The 2016 T20 World Cup in Mumbai was more competitive, with Afghanistan posting 153, but South Africa chased it down comfortably. The 2019 ODI World Cup in Cardiff followed a similar pattern—Afghanistan managed only 125, and South Africa won by nine wickets .
The 2023 ODI World Cup: Closer Than the Scorecard Suggests
In Ahmedabad, Afghanistan fought harder. They posted 244, with Azmatullah Omarzai contributing a useful knock. But South Africa’s top order paced the chase perfectly, winning by five wickets. It was a loss, but Afghanistan were no longer being blown away .
The 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final: A Harsh Lesson
This was Afghanistan’s first-ever World Cup semi-final in any format. It turned into a nightmare. On a difficult pitch in Trinidad, Afghanistan collapsed to 56 all out in 11.5 overs. Marco Jansen took 3/16, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/6, and South Africa reached the final with a nine-wicket win. It was a brutal reality check, but it also set the stage for what happened next .
September 2024: Afghanistan’s Historic ODI Series Win
Just three months later, everything changed. In Sharjah, Afghanistan beat South Africa for the first time in any format. Fazalhaq Farooqi and 18-year-old Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar destroyed South Africa’s top order, bowling them out for 106. Afghanistan chased it down with six wickets in hand .
In the second ODI, Afghanistan posted 311/4, powered by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s century and Azmatullah Omarzai’s 86* off 50 balls. Rashid Khan then took 5/19 as South Africa collapsed to 134, giving Afghanistan a 177-run win—their biggest ODI victory ever and a historic series win . South Africa won the dead rubber by four wickets, but the series belonged to Afghanistan.
2025 Champions Trophy: South Africa Respond
South Africa reminded everyone of their quality in Karachi. Ryan Rickelton scored 103, and South Africa posted 315/6. Afghanistan’s chase never found momentum, and they were bowled out for 208. A 107-run defeat was a step back, but it showed how high the standards had become .
2026 T20 World Cup: The Double Super Over Thriller
This was the most dramatic match these two teams have ever played. In Ahmedabad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz produced one of the great T20 innings—84 off 42 balls—to drag Afghanistan to 187, matching South Africa’s total. The first Super Over also ended level (17-17). In the second Super Over, South Africa posted 23, and Keshav Maharaj dismissed Gurbaz with Afghanistan still needing six. South Africa won, but Afghanistan had come within one hit of a famous victory .
Afghanistan vs South Africa Timeline: Key Highlights
- 2010–2023: South Africa won all six meetings across formats. Afghanistan were competitive but never close enough to threaten.
- June 2024: Afghanistan’s first World Cup semi-final ended in a 56 all out collapse. Painful, but a sign of how far they had come.
- September 2024: Afghanistan won their first-ever match against South Africa, then sealed a historic series win in Sharjah. This was the turning point .
- February 2025: South Africa responded with a dominant 107-run win in the Champions Trophy.
- February 2026: The rivalry produced its first tied match and first double Super Over. South Africa won, but Afghanistan proved they belong at the top level .
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
| Category | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Wins | 3 | 3 |
| T20I Wins | 0 | 4 (1 after Super Over) |
| Highest ODI Score | 311/4 (2024) | 315/6 (2025) |
| Lowest ODI Score | 106 all out (2019) | 106 all out (2024) |
| Biggest Win (Runs) | 177 runs (2024) | 107 runs (2025) |
| Biggest Win (Wickets) | 6 wickets (2024) | 9 wickets (2024 T20 WC) |
| First Meeting | 2010 T20 WC | 2010 T20 WC |
| First Win | Sep 2024 ODI | May 2010 T20I |
Official international matches only. Statistics accurate up to October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Afghanistan and South Africa first play against each other?
They first met on May 5, 2010, at the T20 World Cup in Bridgetown, Barbados. South Africa won by nine wickets .
Which team has won more matches?
South Africa have won 7 of the 10 completed internationals. Afghanistan have won 3, all in ODIs .
Has Afghanistan ever beaten South Africa in an ODI?
Yes. Afghanistan’s first ODI win came on September 18, 2024, in Sharjah. They went on to win the series 2-1 .
When did Afghanistan first win an ODI series against South Africa?
In September 2024. Afghanistan won the first two matches in Sharjah to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, sealing their first-ever series win over a top-five ICC-ranked team .
What happened in their 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final?
Afghanistan were bowled out for 56, and South Africa chased it in 8.5 overs to reach their first men’s World Cup final. It remains Afghanistan’s only World Cup semi-final appearance .
What was the result of their latest match?
Their latest meeting was on February 11, 2026, at the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad. The match ended in a tie (187-187), and South Africa won after a second Super Over .
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team timeline shows a rivalry that has evolved dramatically in just over a decade. South Africa still lead the overall record comfortably, but the gap has closed. Afghanistan’s 2024 series win proved they can beat anyone on their day. The 2026 double Super Over thriller proved they can push a top side to the absolute edge.
For cricket fans, this is a matchup worth watching closely. South Africa remain the stronger side on paper, but Afghanistan are no longer satisfied with moral victories. The next chapter of this timeline could be the most interesting one yet.
