Afghanistan vs South Africa Cricket Timeline

1. May 5, 2010 – 2010 ICC World T20, Bridgetown (T20I)

• South Africa crushed Afghanistan by 59 runs.

  • Afghanistan posted 80 all out; SA replied with 139/7

  • Player of the Match: Morne Morkel 4/20 
    2. March 20, 2016 – 2016 ICC World T20, Mumbai (T20I)

• South Africa secured another win, this time by a 37‑run margin

3. June 15, 2019 – 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Cardiff (ODI)

• South Africa outplayed Afghanistan by 9 wickets.

  • Afghanistan managed 125; SA reached target for the loss of just one wicket 

4. November 10, 2023 – 2023 ICC World Cup, Narendra Modi Stadium (ODI)

• South Africa edged a close win, defeating Afghanistan by 5 wickets (247 vs 244) 

📅 September 2024 – First-Ever Bilateral ODI Series (Sharjah, UAE)

The inaugural three-match bilateral ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa took place from Sept 18–22:

• 1st ODI (Sept 18): Afghanistan won by 6 wickets – their first-ever ODI win over SA

• 2nd ODI (Sept 20): Afghanistan dominated by 177 runs, led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 105 and Rashid Khan’s 5/19

• 3rd ODI (Sept 22): South Africa bounced back, winning by 7 wickets 

Series result: Afghanistan claimed the series 2–1—a historic milestone

🛡️ February 21, 2025 – ICC Champions Trophy (ODI)

• South Africa triumphed by 107 runs, posting 315/6 to Afghanistan’s 208 

🏆 Recap & Rivalry Outlook

• South Africa dominated early meetings, especially in T20s and World Cups.

• Afghanistan’s growth peaked during the Sharjah bilateral series (Sept 2024), marking a major shift.

• The Proteas reasserted dominance at the Champions Trophy in 2025.

🔍 Noteworthy Moments

• First-ever ODI victory and series win for Afghanistan in Sharjah (Sept 2024)

• Huge individual performances: Gurbaz’s century, Rashid’s 5-wicket haul; Morkel’s standout bowling in 2010 Close finishes such as the 5‑wicket win in the 2023 World Cup and 107‑run margin in 2025 showcase a competitive gap narrowing.

🌟 Looking Ahead

• Afghanistan demonstrated they can compete and defeat big teams in bilateral series.

• Continued meetings in ICC tournaments and bilateral series might deepen the competitive edge.

• Keep an eye on stars like Rashid Khan, Gurbaz, Ngidi, and Rabada, who are often game-changers.

✅ Final Thoughts

From being heavy underdogs in 2010, Afghanistan has steadily closed the gap—especially marked by their performances in September 2024. While South Africa remains strong overall, the rivalry is now far more balanced and exciting than ever.