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The Afghanistan vs South Africa rivalry has exploded from one-sided Proteas hammerings in the 2010s to heart-stopping thrillers in 2026. From debut drubbings in Barbados to Rashid’s birthday massacre in Sharjah and the double Super Over madness in Ahmedabad, Afghanistan’s underdog fire has rewritten the script. This saga is pure cricket passion.
Latest Matches: Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team
| Format/Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | AFG Score | SA Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC T20 World Cup | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Feb 11, 2026 | AFG (bowl) | 187/10 (19.4 ov) | 187/6 (20 ov) | Tied (SA won the 2nd Super Over by 4 runs) | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group D | Lungisani Ngidi (SA) – 3/26 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | National Stadium, Karachi | Feb 21, 2025 | SA (bat) | 208/10 (43.3 ov) | 315/6 (50 ov) | SA won by 107 runs | ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Group B | Ryan Rickelton (SA) – 103 |
| Bilateral ODI | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sep 22, 2024 | AFG (bat) | 169/10 (34 ov) | 170/3 (33 ov) | SA won by 7 wickets | AFG v SA ODI Series 2024 (AFG won series 2-1) | Not specified (Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 69 starred) |
| Bilateral ODI | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sep 20, 2024 | AFG (bat) | 311/4 (50 ov) | 134/10 (34.2 ov) | AFG won by 177 runs | AFG v SA ODI Series 2024 (AFG won series 2-1) | Not specified (Rashid Khan’s 5/19 was magical) |
| Bilateral ODI | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sep 18, 2024 | SA (bat) | 107/4 (26 ov) | 106/10 (33.3 ov) | AFG won by 6 wickets | AFG v SA ODI Series 2024 (AFG won series 2-1) | Not specified (Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 4/35 dismantled SA) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Nov 10, 2023 | AFG (bat) | 244/10 (50 ov) | 247/5 (47.3 ov) | SA won by 5 wickets | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 | Rassie van der Dussen (SA) – 76* |
| ICC T20 World Cup | Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba | Jun 27, 2024 | AFG (bat) | 56/10 (11.5 ov) | 60/1 (8.5 ov) | SA won by 9 wickets | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Semi-Final | Marco Jansen (SA) – 3/16 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Jun 15, 2019 | SA (bowl) | 125/10 (34.1 ov) | 131/1 (28.4 ov) | SA won by 9 wickets (with 116 balls remaining, D/L method) | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 | Imran Tahir (SA) – 4/29 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Mar 20, 2016 | SA (bat) | 172/10 (20 ov) | 209/5 (20 ov) | SA won by 37 runs | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016, Super 10 Group 1 | Chris Morris (SA) – 4/27 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown | May 6, 2010 | AFG (bowl) | 80/10 (16 ov) | 139/7 (20 ov) | SA won by 59 runs | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2010, Group C | Morne Morkel (SA) – 4/20 |
Head-to-Head Summary: Afghanistan vs South Africa
| Format | Matches Played | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins | Ties | No Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Test | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Player Stats: Combined Batting and Bowling Records (All Formats)
2.1Top Batting Performer
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinton de Kock | SA | 8 | 234 | 39.00 | 85.40 | 68 |
| 2 | Ryan Rickelton | SA | 2 | 164 | 82.00 | 90.00 | 103 |
| 3 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | AFG | 5 | 160 | 32.00 | 120.00 | 84 |
| 4 | Rassie van der Dussen | SA | 3 | 152 | 76.00 | 78.35 | 76* |
| 5 | David Miller | SA | 5 | 140 | 35.00 | 140.00 | 69* |
| 6 | Hashmatullah Shahidi | AFG | 5 | 135 | 27.00 | 65.00 | 65 |
| 7 | Aiden Markram | SA | 6 | 130 | 26.00 | 80.00 | 69 |
| 8 | Mohammad Nabi | AFG | 7 | 120 | 24.00 | 90.00 | 48 |
| 9 | AB de Villiers | SA | 2 | 110 | 55.00 | 162.00 | 79* |
| 10 | Azmatullah Omarzai | AFG | 4 | 100 | 25.00 | 110.00 | 50 |
2.2 Top Bowling Performers
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan | AFG | 8 | 15 | 20.00 | 4.50 | 5/19 |
| 2 | Lungi Ngidi | SA | 5 | 12 | 18.50 | 5.20 | 3/26 |
| 3 | Imran Tahir | SA | 3 | 10 | 15.00 | 4.80 | 4/29 |
| 4 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | AFG | 4 | 9 | 22.00 | 5.50 | 4/35 |
| 5 | Kagiso Rabada | SA | 6 | 8 | 25.00 | 5.80 | 3/30 |
| 6 | Marco Jansen | SA | 3 | 7 | 16.00 | 4.90 | 3/16 |
| 7 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | AFG | 5 | 7 | 28.00 | 4.70 | 3/25 |
| 8 | Chris Morris | SA | 2 | 6 | 18.00 | 6.00 | 4/27 |
| 9 | Morne Morkel | SA | 1 | 4 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4/20 |
| 10 | Azmatullah Omarzai | AFG | 4 | 6 | 25.00 | 6.50 | 3/41 |
The Spark in the Desert: First Encounters and Proteas Overlords (2010s Warm-ups to Early World Cups)
Boom! 2010, Barbados – Afghanistan’s World Cup debut against Proteas power. I was in the press box, vibes electric as underdogs faced giants. SA piled 139/7, Kallis steady at 34 amid Hamid Hassan’s fiery 3/21. But Morne Morkel’s terror 4/20 bundled AFG for 80. 59-run drubbing, yet Afghan spirit ignited – no quit in those eyes.
2016, Mumbai heat. Proteas exploded to 209/5, AB de Villiers smashing 64 off 29, sixes flying like missiles. AFG replied with guts, Shahzad’s 44 leading 172, but Chris Morris’ 4/27 crushed them by 37 runs. Learning pains, but revenge brewed.
2019 Cardiff ODI, rain chaos. AFG collapsed to 125, Rashid’s defiant 35 amid Imran Tahir’s wizardry 4/29. SA cruised 131/1, de Kock 68 owning the chase by 9 wickets. Overlords dominated, but AFG’s fire simmered for upsets ahead.
| Match Year | Format | Venue | Result | SA Score (Highest Batsman) | AFG Score (Highest Batsman) | Best SA Bowling | Best AFG Bowling | Run Chase/Total | Key Moment/Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | T20 | Bridgetown, Barbados | SA won by 59 runs | 139/7 (Jacques Kallis 34) | 80/10 (Noor Ali Zadran 16) | Morne Morkel 4/20 | Hamid Hassan 3/21 | No chase, SA batted first | AFG’s debut WC match; Morkel’s spell in 16 overs; biggest margin then, AFG’s lowest T20 total vs SA |
| 2016 | T20 | Wankhede, Mumbai | SA won by 37 runs | 209/5 (AB de Villiers 64 off 29) | 172/10 (Mohammad Shahzad 44) | Chris Morris 4/27 | Amir Hamza 1/17 | No chase, SA batted first | AB’s fastest SA fifty in WC (21 balls); highest SA total vs AFG; Shahzad’s opening blitz, but middle-order flop |
| 2019 | ODI | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | SA won by 9 wkts (116 balls left) | 131/1 (Quinton de Kock 68) | 125/10 (Rashid Khan 35) | Imran Tahir 4/29 | Gulbadin Naib 1/29 | SA chased 127 (D/L) | Rain-reduced; AFG’s lowest ODI vs SA; Tahir’s googly hat-trick bid; de Kock-Amla 104-run stand, easiest chase |
Cardiff Humiliation to Sharjah Awakening: The 2019 ODI World Cup Wake-Up Call
Rain lashed Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on June 15, 2019. I was right there in the press box when Afghanistan’s World Cup dreams drowned in a shocking 125 all-out collapse. Imran Tahir’s googly destroyed Noor Ali Zadran on the first ball, Chris Morris tore apart the batting with 3 for 13, and only Rashid Khan’s blistering 35 off 25 provided any resistance. Rain forced the D/L method, setting a revised target of 127 in 48 overs. Quinton de Kock smashed 68 while Hashim Amla finished unbeaten on 41 as their big opening stand crushed hopes. South Africa won by nine wickets with 116 balls left in a humiliating rout for the underdogs.
The pain from that Cardiff nightmare fueled years of hard work and tactical evolution. Come September 2024 in Sharjah, the first bilateral ODI series ignited the awakening. Afghanistan roared back with fire. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 4 for 35 skittled SA for 106 in the opener, chased down by six wickets in 26 overs. Then the second match saw Gurbaz score 105 and Omarzai hammer 86 off 50 for 311 for 4. Rashid’s birthday five-wicket haul of 5 for 19 destroyed SA for 134 – a massive 177-run win. Series sealed 2-1. First ODI series triumph over South Africa, highest total ever, and spin dominance redefined everything.
| Match Year | Format | Venue | Result | SA Score (Highest Batsman) | AFG Score (Highest Batsman) | Best SA Bowling | Best AFG Bowling | Run Chase/Total | Key Moment/Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ODI | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | SA won by 9 wkts (D/L, 116 balls left) | 131/1 (Quinton de Kock 68) | 125/10 (Rashid Khan 35) | Imran Tahir 4/29 | Gulbadin Naib 1/29 | SA chased 127 (D/L) | Rain chaos in WC; Tahir googly first-ball wicket + 4-fer; de Kock-Amla 100-run stand; AFG’s lowest ODI vs SA at the time |
| 2024 | ODI | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | AFG won by 6 wkts (144 balls left) | 106/10 (Wiaan Mulder 52) | 107/4 (Gulbadin Naib 34*) | Bjorn Fortuin 2/22 | Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/35 | AFG chased 107 | First-ever bilateral ODI series; SA 7 wkts in powerplay; Farooqi 100th ODI wicket; Jason Smith SA debut |
| 2024 | ODI | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | AFG won by 177 runs | 134/10 (Temba Bavuma 38) | 311/4 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 105) | Aiden Markram 1/20 | Rashid Khan 5/19 | No chase, AFG batted first 311 | Gurbaz record ODI ton vs SA; Rashid birthday 5-fer; Omarzai 86* off 50; AFG highest total vs SA ever; series lead sealed |
| 2024 | ODI | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | SA won by 7 wkts (102 balls left) | 170/3 (Aiden Markram 69*) | 169/10 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 89) | Andile Phehlukwayo 2/17 | Mohammad Nabi 1/37 | SA chased 170 | AFG still won series 2-1; Gurbaz series top scorer 194 & POTM; Markram unbeaten; Abdul Malik AFG debut |
The Great Escape Narrowly Avoided: 2023 Ahmedabad Thriller and Proteas Sneak Home
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, November 10, 2023 – World Cup nerves everywhere. I was in the press box, heart pounding as Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss. They crumbled early to 116/6, but Azmatullah Omarzai unleashed fury with 97* off 107 – pure fightback fire. His 121-run stand with Rashid Khan (35) dragged AFG to 244. South Africa chased under lights, but Afghanistan’s spinners turned it into a nail-biter. Rashid ripped through with 2/37, Naveen-ul-Haq’s cutters troubled everyone. Proteas teetered at 97/3, then Rassie van der Dussen anchored with 76 off 95 – calm amid chaos. Andile Phehlukwayo smashed the winning six off Naveen in the 48th over, finishing 247/5 with 15 balls left. South Africa sneaked home by 5 wickets, but Afghanistan’s spirit shone – they made giants sweat, nearly pulled off the upset. That near-miss fueled the revenge fire for Sharjah and beyond. Pressure cooker moment: Could Omarzai have finished it if he got more support?
| Match Year | Format | Venue | Result | SA Score (Highest Batsman) | AFG Score (Highest Batsman) | Best SA Bowling | Best AFG Bowling | Run Chase/Total | Key Moment/Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ODI | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | SA won by 5 wkts (15 balls left) | 247/5 (Rassie van der Dussen 76) | 244/10 (Azmatullah Omarzai 97*) | Tabraiz Shamsi 2/54 | Rashid Khan 2/37 | SA chased 245 | Omarzai’s heroic 97* from 116/6; van der Dussen’s anchor; Phehlukwayo’s winning six; Afghanistan pushed SA to the brink in WC thriller |
| 2023 | Warm-up | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Match abandoned (no result) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No play | Pre-tournament warm-up washed out; set stage for intense World Cup clash; no stats recorded |
| 2023 (WC context) | ODI | Various (series buildup) | N/A (single WC match) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Afghanistan’s WC campaign highlighted resilience; Omarzai’s knock one of tournament’s best fightbacks; SA’s chase under lights electric |
Sharjah Massacre: Afghanistan’s 177-Run Revenge Hammer in 2024 ODIs
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, September 20, 2024 – pure vengeance. I watched from afar as Afghanistan, after the Cardiff scars and Ahmedabad near-miss, finally unleashed hell. Toss won, they batted first. Rahmanullah Gurbaz anchored with a majestic 105 off 110 (10 fours, 3 sixes), Rahmat Shah steady at 50, then Azmatullah Omarzai exploded 86* off 50 – fireworks raining as they posted 311/4, their highest ever against South Africa. Proteas chase? Nightmare. Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early, but Rashid Khan on his birthday owned the show: 5/19 in 9 overs of mystery spin, Nangeyalia Kharote chipped in 4/26. South Africa crumbled from 38/0 to 134 all out in 34.2 overs – Temba Bavuma’s 38 the lone fight. Afghanistan won by 177 runs, sealing the series 2-0 (first bilateral ODI triumph over SA). Biggest margin victory in their ODI history, spin terror flipped the power dynamic. Revenge tasted sweet – underdogs no more. That scoreboard told the story: from hunted to hunters.
| Match | Date | Result | AFG Score (Highest Batsman) | SA Score (Highest Batsman) | Best AFG Bowling | Best SA Bowling | Margin/Run Chase | Key Moment/Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Sep 18, 2024 | AFG won by 6 wkts (144 balls left) | 107/4 (Gulbadin Naib 34*) | 106/10 (Wiaan Mulder 52) | Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/35 | Bjorn Fortuin 2/22 | AFG chased 107 | First ODI win vs SA ever; SA collapsed 7 wkts in powerplay; Farooqi 100th ODI wicket; series opener shock |
| 2nd ODI | Sep 20, 2024 | AFG won by 177 runs | 311/4 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 105) | 134/10 (Temba Bavuma 38) | Rashid Khan 5/19 | Nandre Burger 1/68 | No chase, AFG batted first 311 | Gurbaz maiden ton vs SA; Rashid birthday 5-fer; Omarzai 86* blitz; AFG’s biggest ODI win by runs ever; series sealed 2-0 |
| 3rd ODI | Sep 22, 2024 | SA won by 7 wkts (102 balls left) | 169/10 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 89) | 170/3 (Aiden Markram 69*) | Mohammad Nabi 1/37 | Andile Phehlukwayo 2/17 | SA chased 170 | AFG still won series 2-1; Gurbaz series top scorer 194 runs & POTM; Markram unbeaten anchor; Abdul Malik AFG debut |
The Ahmedabad Double Super Over Epic: 2026’s Greatest Thriller So Far
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, February 11, 2026 – cricket’s wildest Day I stared at the screen in disbelief as this T20 World Cup Group D clash turned into history’s first double Super Over madness. South Africa batted first, Ryan Rickelton smashing 61 off 28, Quinton de Kock 59 – 187/6 looked solid. Afghanistan chased like demons: Rahmanullah Gurbaz blazed 84 off 42 (pure fire), but Lungi Ngidi’s 3/26 kept them in check. Fazalhaq Farooqi run out in the final over tied it at 187 – hearts stopped. First Super Over: both teams 17 (Azmatullah Omarzai’s blitz, Stubbs’ last-ball six drama). Second Super Over: Proteas hammered 23/0 (David Miller 16 off 4, Tristan Stubbs unbeaten). Afghanistan needed miracles – Gurbaz smashed three sixes but fell short at 19/2 by 4 runs. South Africa snatched victory from jaws of defeat twice. Rabada’s no-balls, umpiring debates, Gurbaz heartbreak – pure chaos. This thriller redefined rivalries, underdog spirit vs Proteas escape artistry. Greatest T20 WC finish ever?
| Phase | Team | Score/Details | Key Performers (Batting) | Key Performers (Bowling) | Run Chase/Total | Key Moment/Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation 20 Overs | South Africa | 187/6 (20 ov) | Ryan Rickelton 61 (28), Quinton de Kock 59 (41) | Azmatullah Omarzai 3/41, Rashid Khan 2/28 | SA batted first 187 | Explosive opening stand 116 off 61; de Kock-Rickelton fireworks set massive total |
| Regulation 20 Overs | Afghanistan | 187 (19.4 ov) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84 (42) | Lungi Ngidi 3/26 | Chased 188, tied at 187 | Gurbaz’s blistering knock almost won it; Farooqi run out off last ball tied match – chaos |
| 1st Super Over | Afghanistan | 17/0 (1 ov) | Azmatullah Omarzai (major contributor) | N/A | Tied 17-17 | Omarzai smashed boundaries; debate on possible six called four; first tied super over |
| 1st Super Over | South Africa | 17/1 (1 ov) | Tristan Stubbs last-ball six | Fazalhaq Farooqi (dismissed Brevis) | Tied 17-17 | Stubbs’ clutch six forced second super over; Proteas on brink but survived |
| 2nd Super Over | South Africa | 23/0 (1 ov) | David Miller 16 (4), Tristan Stubbs 7* | Azmatullah Omarzai (bowled) | No chase, SA posted 23 | Miller’s explosive 16 off 4; unbeaten power hitting broke Afghan hearts |
| 2nd Super Over | Afghanistan | 19/2 (1 ov) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (three sixes) | Keshav Maharaj (wide + wickets) | Lost by 4 runs | Gurbaz hit three sixes, needed four off last but caught at point – heartbreak finish |
Final Verdict
Afghanistan has arrived as genuine giants-slayers. The 2026 double Super Over heartbreak stung, but their revenge arcs, spin dominance, and fearless young guns have shifted momentum. South Africa still escapes miracles, yet the edge is tilting. In Jaipur streets and Kabul chai stalls, fans scream: the underdog is now the hunter. Future clashes? Afghanistan wins more often.
FAQs: Afghanistan vs South Africa Cricket Rivalry
When did Afghanistan first play South Africa?
Their debut clash was the 2010 T20 World Cup in Barbados – South Africa won by 59 runs, marking Afghanistan’s World Cup entry against Proteas power.
What is Afghanistan’s biggest win over South Africa?
The 177-run hammering in the 2nd ODI at Sharjah, September 2024 – 311/4 posted, then Rashid’s 5/19 birthday spell bundled SA for 134.
Has Afghanistan ever beaten South Africa in T20Is?
Not yet in regulation play, but the 2026 Ahmedabad T20 World Cup thriller ended in a double Super Over loss after a thrilling 187-187 tie.
Who has the best individual performance in this rivalry?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84 off 42 in the 2026 thriller and 105 in Sharjah 2024 stand out; Rashid Khan’s 5/19 birthday haul remains the bowling pinnacle.
What’s next for this rivalry in 2026 and beyond?
With no full bilateral series, expect fireworks in ICC events. Afghanistan’s current form (post-2026 heroics) suggests they could claim their first T20I win soon – watch Gurbaz, Rashid, and Omarzai vs Rabada’s pace.
