South Africa and Namibia have now played three ODIs against each other, with South Africa winning all three to complete a whitewash in their first-ever bilateral series. The head-to-head record reads 3 matches, 3 wins for South Africa, 0 wins for Namibia.
This was the first-ever bilateral ODI series between the two sides, a three-match contest at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, played on 9, 11 and 13 September 2026.
This article covers the complete head-to-head picture, the only previous meeting between the sides in any other format, and how the series unfolded.
South Africa vs Namibia ODI Head-to-Head Record
As of now, the two teams have only 3 times faced off in a 50-over international. The table below sums up the record exactly as it stands today, before a ball has been bowled in this fixture.
| Matches | South Africa Won | Namibia Won | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Why South Africa and Namibia Had No Prior ODI History
The two nations have operated at different tiers of the game for most of their cricketing history, which explains why this head-to-head has stayed blank for so long.
- South Africa has been a full-member Test and ODI nation since returning to international cricket in 1991, while Namibia only built up regular ODI status through the ICC World Cup League Two pathway.
- Namibia played its first-ever ODI at the 2003 Cricket World Cup, where it faced established sides such as Australia, England, India, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, but never South Africa.
- Since 2003, most of Namibia’s ODI fixtures have come against fellow associate nations in World Cup League Two and earlier qualifying tournaments, keeping the two neighbours apart on the scorecard.
- The two boards only scheduled a bilateral series once Namibia’s rise up the ODI rankings and its role as a 2027 World Cup co-host made a fixture with South Africa a logical fit.
Their Only Previous International Meeting
While the ODI ledger is empty, South Africa and Namibia have met once before in a senior international. That match remains the only result either side can point to in this head-to-head, across any format.
| Format | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 11 October 2025 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | Namibia won by 4 wickets |
South Africa posted 134 for 8 in their 20 overs, and Namibia chased the target down with 138 for 6, winning off the final ball.
It was Namibia’s first win over a full-member nation in a senior international and remains their only victory over South Africa in any format to date.
Upcoming ODI Series That Will Start the Head-to-Head
The three-match ODI series in September 2026 will generate the first-ever numbers for this head-to-head. All three matches are set for the same venue that hosted the 2025 T20I.
| Match | Date | Venue | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 9 September 2026 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | South Africa won by 99 runs (DLS method) |
| 2nd ODI | 11 September 2026 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | South Africa won by 157 runs |
| 3rd ODI | 13 September 2026 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
How the Series Unfolded
- 1st ODI (9 Sept): Debutant Jordan Hermann hit 150 off 126 balls — equalling the world record for highest score on ODI debut — anchoring 348/6. A 190-run stand with de Zorzi (72) set up the total, and Namibia fell short at 162/8 off a rain-revised 31 overs. SA won by 99 runs (DLS).
- 2nd ODI (11 Sept): Connor Esterhuizen, bowled for 10 on debut, hit back with 119 off 110 balls, adding 183 with de Zorzi (79) as SA posted 335/9. Namibia slumped to 32/5 and were bowled out for 178. SA won by 157 runs to seal the series 2-0.
- 3rd ODI (13 Sept): SA completed the sweep with a 9-wicket win. Fortuin took 4/33 to bowl Namibia out for 156, then Esterhuizen (68*) and Hermann (77) put on 150 as SA chased it down with 28.3 overs to spare.
Key Records
- Hermann’s 150 on debut is the joint-highest score on ODI debut.
- SA’s 348/6 is the joint-highest total ever scored against Namibia in ODIs.
- Esterhuizen and Hermann both scored centuries in the series.
Conclusion
South Africa completed a clean sweep of the inaugural ODI series against Namibia, winning all three matches in Windhoek to open the head-to-head record at 3-0.
The series produced a string of standout individual performances, Jordan Hermann’s record-equalling 150 on debut, Connor Esterhuizen’s maiden century, and a dominant final-day chase to seal the whitewash. With both sides set to co-host the 2027 World Cup, this series marks the start of what should become a regular fixture between the two nations.
FAQs
No prior meetings — this was their first-ever ODI series, and South Africa now lead the head-to-head 3-0.
3 matches played, South Africa won all 3, Namibia 0.
Yes — Namibia beat South Africa by 4 wickets in a T20I on 11 October 2025 at the Namibia Cricket Ground, their only win over South Africa across formats.
The first ODI played at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on 9 September 2026.
Three ODIs are scheduled, on 9, 11 and 13 September 2026, all at the same venue in Windhoek.
