South Africa’s neighbours to the north were the first team they played in a competitive fixture after readmission to international football, when they received a rude awakening in Harare with a 4-1 loss in 1992.
Here is a rundown of every clash between the two sides over the past 33 years.
1994 African Nations Cup Qualifier
Zimbabwe (2) 4 (Takawira 8’, Gumbo 19’, P. Ndlovu 49’ pen, 58’) South Africa (1) 1 (Kambule 21’)
August 16, 1992 – National Stadium, Harare
A first-ever qualifier for Bafana Bafana in any competition, and it proved a chastening moment as a Zimbabwe side featuring Bruce Grobbelaar, Francis Shonhai, Wilfred Mugeyi and Peter Ndlovu put them to the sword.
Sam Kambule brought the visitors back into contention before half-time as they trailed only 2-1, but Zimbabwe’s quality shone through after the break as they romped to victory.
Several Bafana players would go on to achieve great things, including David Nyathi, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey, Doctor Khumalo and Phil Masinga, who lifted the AFCON trophy four years later.
1994 African Nations Cup Qualifier
South Africa (1) 1 (Maponyane 6’) Zimbabwe (0) 1 (Nkonjera 82’)
April 24, 1993 – Soccer City, Johannesburg
Nine months later, Bafana were better prepared for the rigours of international football and showed improvement with a far stronger performance. They led early through Marks Maponyane, the first of two international goals in his 13 caps, but were pegged back late by an equaliser from Benjamin Nkonjera. Nkonjera, a childhood friend of Peter Ndlovu, sadly passed away after a short illness in 1999.
Friendly International
South Africa (0) 1 (P. Masinga 76’) Zimbabwe 0
April 24, 1994 – Independence Stadium, Mmabatho
A friendly played just three days before South Africa’s first democratic elections, now celebrated as Freedom Day. Clive Barker was building towards the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, with players such as Mark Fish, John Moshoeu and Sizwe Motaung in form. Phil Masinga scored the winner, his second goal in as many games after also netting against Mauritius in a Nations Cup qualifier.
1995 Four Nations Cup
South Africa (1) 2 (Bartlett 20’, 78’) Zimbabwe 0
November 26, 1995 – Soccer City, Johannesburg
The sides maintained their tradition of meeting annually after readmission, but Bafana were now beginning to hum under Barker. Zimbabwe were without talisman Peter Ndlovu, and South Africa eased to victory. It was Shaun Bartlett’s fourth cap and third goal, having also scored against Egypt earlier in the tournament.
Friendly International
South Africa 0 Zimbabwe (1) 1 (Shereni 24’)
June 16, 1999 – Soccer City, Johannesburg
Played to celebrate the inauguration of South African president Thabo Mbeki, this friendly was won by the visitors. Left-back Harlington Shereni scored the only goal, with Bafana missing several overseas-based stars, including Bartlett and Benni McCarthy.
2002 World Cup Qualifier
Zimbabwe 0 South Africa (1) 2 (Buckley 7’, 82’)
July 9, 2000 – National Sports Stadium, Harare
Match abandoned after 82 minutes – result verified by FIFA
A match that lives in infamy after 12 fans died in a stampede caused by police firing into the crowd. Delron Buckley’s second goal sparked unrest, with objects thrown at Bafana players. The game was abandoned, and a scarred Buckley vowed never to play in Zimbabwe again.
2000 COSAFA Cup Semi-final
South Africa 0 Zimbabwe (1) 1 (Tembo 11’)
July 29, 2000 – Boet Erasmus Stadium, Gqeberha
Just three weeks later, the teams met again with heavily changed line-ups. Siyabonga Nomvethe was the only South African to feature in both fixtures, as fringe players were handed opportunities. Kaitano Tembo scored the only goal, a sweet moment for the current SuperSport United coach.
2002 World Cup Qualifier
South Africa (2) 2 (Bartlett 17’, McCarthy 39’) Zimbabwe (0) 1 (P. Ndlovu 53’ pen)
May 5, 2001 – Soccer City, Johannesburg
Bafana’s two leading forwards were on target in the first half. Peter Ndlovu’s penalty made for a tense finish, but South Africa held on for a crucial victory.
2003 COSAFA Cup Quarter-final
South Africa 0 Zimbabwe (1) 1 (Muhoni 15’)
July 19, 2003 – Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London
A much-changed Bafana side, without overseas-based players, lost under stand-in coach Konti Kubheka. Captained by Siphiwe Mkhonza, South Africa never settled and fell to an early Lazarus Muhoni goal.
Friendly International
South Africa (0) 2 (Ngcobo 75’, Matola 89’og) Zimbabwe (1) 1 (Mushangazhike 12’)
March 11, 2008 – Herman Immelman Stadium, Germiston
Played while major stadiums were under renovation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Carlos Alberto Parreira’s largely local squad recovered after Gilbert Mushangazhike’s opener to force an own goal and secure victory.
Friendly International
South Africa (0) 3 (Tshabalala 50’, Mbuyane 77’, Thwala 89’) Zimbabwe 0
January 27, 2010 – Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
A World Cup warm-up match at the newly built stadium. Despite missing leading players, Bafana rallied after a poor first half to win convincingly. Only Tshabalala, Modise, Letsholonyane and Mphela would later feature prominently at the World Cup.
Friendly International
Zimbabwe (0) 2 (Musona 53’, 61’) South Africa (1) 1 (Grobler 29’)
November 15, 2011 – Rufaro Stadium, Harare
South Africa’s first return to Zimbabwe since 2000 ended in defeat. Bradley Grobler scored his first international goal, but Knowledge Musona turned the match around after the break.
Friendly International
South Africa (0) 1 (Parker 90’) Zimbabwe (0) 2 (Musona 51’, Malajila 90’)
September 10, 2013 – Orlando Stadium, Soweto
Musona again tormented Bafana before Cuthbert Malajila added a second. Bernard Parker’s late strike proved consolation in a disappointing loss ahead of CHAN 2014.
2022 World Cup Qualifier
Zimbabwe 0 South Africa 0
September 3, 2021 – National Stadium, Harare
A nervous contest and Hugo Broos’ first match in charge. Bafana were the better side, with Bongokuhle Hlongwane denied on the line, but failed to capitalise.
2022 World Cup Qualifier
South Africa (1) 1 (Mokoena 26’) Zimbabwe 0
November 11, 2021 – Soccer City, Johannesburg
A controlled performance by Bafana, who sat back in the second half. Despite the win, goal difference would later deny them progress.
2026 World Cup Qualifier
South Africa (1) 3 (Rayners 1’, Morena 55’, 76’) Zimbabwe (1) 1 (Chirewa 2’)
June 11, 2024 – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Iqraam Rayners scored the fastest goal in Bafana Bafana history after 31 seconds, before Zimbabwe equalised inside two minutes. A Thapelo Morena brace sealed a deserved win. This was also the match in which Teboho Mokoena received the first of his infamous two yellow cards.
2025 COSAFA Cup
South Africa (1) 2 (Dlamini 40’, Okon 78’) Zimbabwe 0
June 7, 2025 – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Two depleted squads met in Bloemfontein as Bafana eased into the final. Neither side had its regular coach on the bench, with the fixture serving as a squad-building exercise. Kabelo Dlamini struck late in the first half before Ime Okon sealed the win.
2026 World Cup Qualifier
Zimbabwe 0 South Africa 0
October 10, 2025 – Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
A disappointing 0-0 draw for Bafana that delayed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup until the following match against Rwanda, when they got the job done. There was little to write home about in this encounter, a ‘home’ fixture for Zimbabwe that was played in Durban as they do not have stadia that meet CAF requirements. Lyle Foster had perhaps the best chance but saw his effort cleared off the line.