Table of Contents
The South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Stats tell the story of two teams with contrasting cricketing journeys. South Africa has long been one of the world’s strongest sides, known for its pace attack, athletic fielding, and consistent performances across formats. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has risen rapidly from an emerging nation to a competitive international team capable of upsetting the biggest opponents. Every meeting between these sides has added another chapter to their growing rivalry, featuring memorable scorecards, standout individual performances, tactical battles, and dramatic moments. This article explores their head to head record, key matches, player statistics, historic milestones, and the moments that have shaped this fascinating contest.
Complete Match-by-Match History (Latest to Oldest)
The complete list of all 10 historical fixtures between South Africa and Afghanistan includes the following results:
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Margin / Key Match Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | T20I | Ahmedabad | South Africa | Tied (SA won 2nd Super Over; 187 runs each) |
| 21 Feb 2025 | ODI | Karachi | South Africa | Won by 107 runs (SA 315/6 vs AFG 208) |
| 22 Sep 2024 | ODI | Sharjah | South Africa | Won by 7 wickets (AFG 169 vs SA 170/3) |
| 20 Sep 2024 | ODI | Sharjah | Afghanistan | Won by 177 runs (AFG 311/4 vs SA 134) |
| 18 Sep 2024 | ODI | Sharjah | Afghanistan | Won by 6 wickets (SA 106 vs AFG 107/4) |
| 26 Jun 2024 | T20I | Tarouba | South Africa | Won by 9 wickets (AFG 56 vs SA 60/1) |
| 10 Nov 2023 | ODI | Ahmedabad | South Africa | Won by 5 wickets (AFG 244 vs SA 247/5) |
| 15 Jun 2019 | ODI | Cardiff | South Africa | Won by 9 wickets (AFG 125 vs SA 131/1) |
| 20 Mar 2016 | T20I | Mumbai | South Africa | Won by 37 runs (SA 209/5 vs AFG 172) |
| 05 May 2010 | T20I | Bridgetown | South Africa | Won by 59 runs (SA 139/7 vs AFG 80) |
Format-wise Detailed Head-to-Head Records
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
South Africa holds a perfect 4–0 record over Afghanistan in T20I cricket.
T20I Team Record & Statistics
| Statistic | South Africa (SA) | Afghanistan (AFG) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 4 | 4 |
| Matches Won | 4 | 0 |
| Highest Team Score | 209/5 (Mumbai, 2016) | 187/7 (Ahmedabad, 2026) |
| Lowest Team Score | 60/1 (Tarouba, 2024)* | 56 All Out (Tarouba, 2024) |
Chasing a target of 57 runs.
T20I Match-by-Match Results
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin / Key Match Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | Ahmedabad | South Africa | Tied (SA won 2nd Super Over; 187 runs each) |
| 26 Jun 2024 | Tarouba | South Africa | Won by 9 wickets (AFG 56 vs SA 60/1) |
| 20 Mar 2016 | Mumbai | South Africa | Won by 37 runs (SA 209/5 vs AFG 172) |
| 05 May 2010 | Bridgetown | South Africa | Won by 59 runs (SA 139/7 vs AFG 80) |
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
The ODI format has been highly competitive, with South Africa leading the head-to-head ledger 4–2.
ODI Team Record & Statistics
| Statistic | South Africa (SA) | Afghanistan (AFG) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Matches Won | 4 | 2 |
| Highest Team Score | 315/6 (Karachi, 2025) | 311/4 (Sharjah, 2024) |
| Lowest Team Score | 106 All Out (Sharjah, 2024) | 125 All Out (Cardiff, 2019) |
ODI Match-by-Match Results
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin / Key Match Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Feb 2025 | Karachi | South Africa | Won by 107 runs (SA 315/6 vs AFG 208) |
| 22 Sep 2024 | Sharjah | South Africa | Won by 7 wickets (AFG 169 vs SA 170/3) |
| 20 Sep 2024 | Sharjah | Afghanistan | Won by 177 runs (AFG 311/4 vs SA 134) |
| 18 Sep 2024 | Sharjah | Afghanistan | Won by 6 wickets (SA 106 vs AFG 107/4) |
| 10 Nov 2023 | Ahmedabad | South Africa | Won by 5 wickets (AFG 244 vs SA 247/5) |
| 15 Jun 2019 | Cardiff | South Africa | Won by 9 wickets (AFG 125 vs SA 131/1) |
Test Matches
The two teams have a brief history and have never played the longest format against each other.
| Statistic | South Africa (SA) | Afghanistan (AFG) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 0 | 0 |
| Matches Won | 0 | 0 |
All-Time Leading Run Scorers
Afghan players fill out the top slots due to their consistent appearances in the 2024 bilateral series. Former Proteas opener Quinton de Kock leads the charts for South Africa.
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Innings | Total Runs | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan | 8 | 7 | 238 | 97 |
| 2 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 8 | 8 | 229 | 105 |
| 3 | Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 5 | 5 | 218 | 68 |
| 4 | Aiden Markram | South Africa | 8 | 7 | 197 | 69 |
| 5 | Rahmat Shah | Afghanistan | 6 | 6 | 181 | 90 |
All-Time Leading Wicket Takers
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi are tied at the top of the bowling charts with 7 wickets each. South Africa’s leg-spinner Imran Tahir still sits close to the top, powered by his match-winning spells in previous ICC tournaments.
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4/35 |
| 2 | Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 10 | 8 | 7 | 2/35 |
| 3 | Imran Tahir | South Africa | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4/29 |
| 4 | Marco Jansen | South Africa | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3/16 |
| 5 | Andile Phehlukwayo | South Africa | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2/17 |
Overall Head-to-Head Records Across Formats
The absolute lifetime win-loss record between the two teams includes the following parameters:
| Format | Total Matches | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins | Ties / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Tests | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All Formats | 10 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Test Cricket Stats and Long-Format Battles
- Total Matches Played: 0
- Matches Won by South Africa: 0
- Matches Won by Afghanistan: 0
- The two countries have never faced each other in a multi-day Test match or long-format red-ball fixture.
One Day International ODI Stats Overview
The 50-over format remains the closest and most competitive format between the two sides.
| Statistical Parameter | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Won | 4 | 2 |
| Highest Team Total | 315/6 (Karachi, 2025) | 311/4 (Sharjah, 2024) |
| Lowest Team Total | 106 All Out (Sharjah, 2024) | 125 All Out (Cardiff, 2019) |
| Most Recent Winner | South Africa (Feb 2025) | Afghanistan (Sep 2024) |
T20 International Stats and Match Trends
South Africa maintains an flawless record on paper, though recent encounters have pushed both teams to their absolute limits.
| Statistical Parameter | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Won | 4 | 0 |
| Highest Team Total | 209/5 (Mumbai, 2016) | 187/7 (Ahmedabad, 2026) |
| Lowest Team Total | 60/1 (Tarouba, 2024) | 56 All Out (Tarouba, 2024) |
| Super Over Record | 1 Win (2026) | 1 Loss (2026) |
Top Performers and Key Records
- Batting Dominance: Azmatullah Omarzai is the highest individual run-scorer in the history of the rivalry with 238 total runs across formats, closely followed by fellow Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz with 229 runs.
- Bowling Supremacy: Left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi and veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi share the record for the most wickets with 7 wickets each.
- Highest Individual Score: Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the record for the highest individual innings with his 105 runs scored in Sharjah.
- Best Bowling Figures: Afghan captain Rashid Khan holds the record for the best bowling performance, taking 5/19 in September 2024.
Modern Era Stats and Rivalry Evolution
- Early Dominance (2010 to 2023): South Africa won every single one of their initial encounters across ICC tournaments, capitalizing on their experience over a rising Associate nation.
- The Sharjah Breakthrough (2024): The historical dynamic shifted permanently in September 2024 when Afghanistan registered back-to-back ODI victories to secure their first-ever bilateral series victory over South Africa.
- The Super Over Era (2026): Their most recent encounter at the T20 World Cup in February 2026 required a double Super Over to separate the sides after a 187-run tie in regular time, cementing this matchup as a premier modern cricket rivalry.
Final Thoughts
South Africa and Afghanistan may not have faced each other as often as some of cricket’s oldest rivals, but every contest has carried significance. South Africa has generally held the upper hand with its experience and balanced squad, while Afghanistan has continued to challenge expectations with fearless cricket and world class spin bowling. Their encounters have produced exciting scorecards, remarkable individual displays, and valuable lessons for both teams. As Afghanistan continues to develop and South Africa remains a global powerhouse, future matches promise even greater competition. Cricket fans can expect this rivalry to deliver more unforgettable performances, thrilling finishes, and new records in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the head to head record between South Africa and Afghanistan?
South Africa has won the majority of international matches against Afghanistan, although Afghanistan has also secured memorable victories, especially in ICC tournaments.
2. Which format has seen the most South Africa vs Afghanistan matches?
Most of their meetings have taken place in One Day Internationals, particularly during ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments.
3. Who has scored the most runs in South Africa vs Afghanistan matches?
Several top order batters from both teams have made significant contributions, with leading run scorers varying as the rivalry continues to grow.
4. Which bowler has the best figures in South Africa vs Afghanistan matches?
Fast bowlers from South Africa and Afghanistan’s star spinners have produced match winning bowling performances in different encounters.
5. Why is the South Africa vs Afghanistan rivalry becoming more exciting?
Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket, combined with South Africa’s consistent strength, has created closely contested matches filled with tactical battles, outstanding individual performances, and increasing competition on the global stage.
