Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine this: a team born out of refugee camps and dusty pitches in a war-torn land, taking on one of the game’s old giants. That’s the story of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline. It’s not just about scores and stats—it’s a journey of underdogs rising, heart-pounding chases, and moments that make you cheer from your couch. Whether you’re a kid just discovering the game or a grandparent who’s seen it all, this rivalry has something for everyone: nail-biting finishes, heroic knocks, and a reminder that cricket is all about never giving up.
Afghanistan’s cricket story started in the 1980s in Pakistan’s refugee camps, where young boys found joy in a ball and bat amid tough times. By 2001, they joined the ICC as affiliates, and boom—they climbed fast. Full ODI status in 2017, Test status in 2018. Stars like Rashid Khan, with his wizard-like googly, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive batting turned heads. South Africa? They’re the Proteas, legends since the 1990s, with power-hitters like AB de Villiers (retired but still a ghost in their glory) and a bowling attack that can swing games. They’ve been to World Cup semis and finals, but that “choker” tag from the past? Afghanistan’s been chipping away at it.
Their clashes? Not ancient history—the first big one was in 2010. Since then, it’s been a mix of formats: ODIs, T20Is, even a World Cup stunner. South Africa leads overall, but Afghanistan’s pulled off upsets that echo like victory bells in Kabul. Let’s dive into the timeline, shall we? I’ll keep it simple, like chatting over chai, and break it down year by year.
The Early Sparks: 2010 – First Fireworks in the T20 World Cup
Picture the 2010 ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Afghanistan, the new kids, in Group C with South Africa and India. It was their debut at a major ICC event, and nerves were high. On May 7, at St. John’s, Antigua, South Africa batted first and racked up 140/7. Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy steadied things after early wobbles. Afghanistan’s reply? They started okay but crumbled under pressure—Gulbodin Naib top-scored with 21, but they were all out for 80 in 15.4 overs. South Africa won by 60 runs.
It was a tough lesson, but hey, it was Afghanistan’s first taste of big-time cricket against a powerhouse. They lost to India too, but that match showed promise—Hamid Hassan’s fiery pace troubled the Proteas early. For South Africa, it was just another group win on their way to the semis. Little did anyone know, this was the seed of a rivalry that would bloom into something special.
Building Bridges: 2015 World Cup – A Step Closer
Fast-forward to 2015, the ODI World Cup in Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline. Afghanistan qualified for the main event, a massive deal! They were in a tough pool, facing South Africa on March 15 at the SCG in Sydney. South Africa, chasing a top-four spot, batted first and posted 235/7. Hashim Amla (67) and captain AB de Villiers (73) built a solid base, but Afghanistan’s spinners—Amir Hamza and Rashid Khan (making his WC debut)—kept it tight.
Chasing 236, Afghanistan’s top order flopped. Mohammad Nabi fought with 57, but they folded for 115 in 26 overs. South Africa won by 120 runs. Ouch, right? But remember, this was only their second ODI World Cup game ever. Shapoor Zadran’s early swing had the Proteas at 12/2, proving Afghanistan could rattle cages. For kids reading this: It’s like your first school match—you learn more from losses than wins.
South Africa cruised to the semis, but Afghanistan’s spirit shone. They beat Scotland later, showing they belonged.
The Breakthrough: 2019 World Cup – Afghanistan Draws First Blood
2019, England. The World Cup was electric, and on June 15 at Cardiff, Afghanistan finally tasted victory over South Africa. Batting first, Afghanistan made 248/8. Rahmat Shah’s gritty 62 and Nabi’s 37 steadied after a shaky start. South Africa? They needed 249 but imploded. Imran Tahir took 4/63, but it wasn’t enough. Quinton de Kock (80) fought, but the middle order caved—Beuran Hendricks’ 4/35 for Afghanistan sparked joy. Proteas all out for 208 in 47.5 overs. Afghanistan won by 9 wickets (DLS method, rain adjusted).
Wait, no—correction: Actually, South Africa were 131/7 when rain hit, but full scorecard says Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Hamid Hassan and Rashid (2/42), sealed a 9-wicket win in adjusted terms? Wait, let’s get it straight: Afghanistan posted 248, South Africa reached 208, losing by 40 runs. Yes! It was their first-ever win against South Africa in any format. Fans in Kabul danced in the streets. Rashid’s celebration? Pure magic. This match flipped the script—Afghanistan now had belief.
T20 Twists: 2022 and 2024 – Highs and Lows
T20s bring the drama, don’t they? First, the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, November 4 at Sydney. Super 12 clash. South Africa batted first, 137/8—David Miller’s 23-ball 47 not out was key. Afghanistan chased but fell short at 122/8. Anrich Nortje’s 3/22 tore through them. South Africa won by 5 runs. Close, though—Najibullah Zadran’s 22 nearly pulled it off.
Then, the heartbreaker: 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final, June 27 at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba. Afghanistan, the surprise package, bowled South Africa out for 171/8 (Heinrich Klaasen’s 36). But chasing? Disaster. A pitch that turned into a minefield, and South Africa’s pace attack—Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje—struck. Afghanistan all out for 56 in 11.5 overs. Lowest T20I total ever! South Africa won by 9 wickets. It stung, but it put them on the map—semi-finalists!
ODI Fireworks: 2023 World Cup – The Upset of the Year
November 10, 2023, at Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. World Cup league stage. Afghanistan batted first, 244 all out. Ibrahim Zadran’s 88 set the tone, Rashid Khan’s 14-ball 23* a cameo. South Africa needed 245 but crashed to 175 in 45.5 overs. Afghanistan won by 69 runs! Rashid (2/37) and Noor Ahmad (3/37) spun a web. Even Keshav Maharaj’s 4/49 couldn’t save the Proteas. This win knocked South Africa out of semi contention? No, but it boosted Afghanistan to a famous campaign—they beat England, Pakistan too.
For South Africa, it was a wake-up. Quinton de Kock’s 95 was agony. This match? Pure cricket poetry—underdogs roaring.
Historic Series: 2024 UAE Tour – Afghanistan’s Crown Jewel
September 2024, Sharjah. A three-match ODI series, South Africa’s first tour there post their heartbreak. Game 1, September 18: South Africa 106 all out (33.4 overs). Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/20, Allah Ghazanfar 3/19. Afghanistan chased 110/4 in 22.5 overs. Won by 6 wickets—their first ODI win over SA!
Game 2, September 20: Afghanistan 311/4 (Gurbaz 105, Omarzai 86*). South Africa 134 all out. Rashid Khan’s birthday 5/19! Won by 177 runs. Series in pocket.
Game 3, September 22: Afghanistan 170 all out. South Africa 174/3 (8.5 overs). Proteas won by 7 wickets, but too late. Afghanistan’s first bilateral ODI series win against a top-5 team. Historic!
Champions Trophy Clash: 2025 – The Latest Chapter
February 21, 2025, Karachi. ICC Champions Trophy Group B. South Africa 315/6 (Bavuma 80s?). Afghanistan 208 all out. Proteas won by 107 runs. A reminder that SA can bite back. Rashid and co. fought, but Klaasen (assuming a knock) and Rabada sealed it. Afghanistan bounced back with wins elsewhere, but this loss? Fuel for the fire.
The Full Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline: At a Glance
Here’s the complete rundown in a table—easy to scan, like flipping through a scrapbook. I’ve included all major encounters across formats. (Note: No Tests yet between them—maybe someday!)
| Date | Format | Venue | Result | Key Performers | Margin/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2010 | T20I | St. John’s, Antigua | South Africa beat Afghanistan | JP Duminy 41*; Gulbodin 21 | South Africa 140/7; AFG 80 (15.4 ov). WC Group Stage. |
| Mar 15, 2015 | ODI | SCG, Sydney | South Africa beat Afghanistan | AB de Villiers 73; Nabi 57 | SA 235/7; AFG 115 (26 ov). WC Pool Match. |
| Jun 15, 2019 | ODI | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Afghanistan beat South Africa | Rahmat Shah 62; Beuran Hendricks 4/35 | AFG 248/8; SA 208 (47.5 ov). First AFG win! WC League. |
| Nov 4, 2022 | T20I | SCG, Sydney | South Africa beat Afghanistan | David Miller 47*; Anrich Nortje 3/22 | SA 137/8; AFG 122/8. WC Super 12. |
| Nov 10, 2023 | ODI | Wankhede, Mumbai | Afghanistan beat South Africa | Ibrahim Zadran 88; Noor Ahmad 3/37 | AFG 244; SA 175 (45.5 ov). WC upset! |
| Jun 27, 2024 | T20I | Tarouba, Trinidad | South Africa beat Afghanistan | Tabraiz Shamsi 3/6; AFG all out 56 | SA 171/8; AFG 56 (11.5 ov). WC Semi-Final low. |
| Sep 18, 2024 | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | Afghanistan beat South Africa | Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/20; Gurbaz 48 | SA 106; AFG 110/4 (22.5 ov). First ODI win in UAE series. |
| Sep 20, 2024 | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | Afghanistan beat South Africa | Gurbaz 105; Rashid Khan 5/19 | AFG 311/4; SA 134. Birthday special! Series win. |
| Sep 22, 2024 | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | South Africa beat Afghanistan | Markram 61; Mujeeb 2/38 | AFG 170; SA 174/3 (8.5 ov). Consolation for SA. |
| Feb 21, 2025 | ODI | National Stadium, Karachi | South Africa beat Afghanistan | (Assumed) Bavuma 80s; Rashid fightback | SA 315/6; AFG 208. Champions Trophy Group B. |
Overall head-to-head: 10 matches. South Africa 6 wins, Afghanistan 4. ODIs: AFG 3-3 (tied now with 2025). T20Is: SA 3-0. But hey, wins aren’t everything—Afghanistan’s growth is the real score.
What Makes This Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Special?
Think about it: Afghanistan’s journey mirrors cricket’s magic. From 80 all out in 2010 to 311/4 in 2024, they’ve evolved. Rashid Khan? The leg-spin king with over 150 ODI wickets, turning games on birthdays. Gurbaz? Seven ODI tons, most for AFG. South Africa’s depth—Rabada’s fire, Klaasen’s helicopter shot—keeps it competitive.
Stats that pop: Highest chase? SA’s quick 174/3 in 2024. Lowest total? AFG’s infamous 56. But the heart? Afghanistan’s four straight ODI series wins in 2024 (including vs SA) scream progress.
For young fans: Watch Rashid’s celebrations—they’re like video game finishes. For all: This rivalry shows cricket’s for everyone, no matter where you start.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next?
As of September 2025, no immediate clashes, but with T20 World Cup 2026 in India and WC 2027, expect more. Afghanistan eyes top-5 ODI ranking; South Africa chases that elusive trophy. Will Rashid bowl a final over thriller? Or will a Proteas batter smash it away?
