South Africa · roaming cost calculator
South Africa Roaming Price Audit: $12 a Day Against a $31.16 Plan
HelloRoam is the top pick for South Africa: its 7-day unlimited plan costs $36.90, at full speed for the first 2 GB a day, against $84 for a week on AT&T's $12-a-day pass, a $47 gap, though Airalo sells the same week for $36. HelloRoam's support replies in your own language over live chat, WhatsApp and email. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185. HelloRoam's price is from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026, rivals' from the 30 Oct 2026 price check; AT&T's rate was checked June 2026.
Currency is the column nobody prices. HelloRoam settles a South Africa order in 31 currencies, and a dollar charge on a euro or sterling card picks up 2 to 4 percent at the bank.
eSIM plans available to travellers, South Africa
HelloRoam's website and app run in 63 languages, and its support replies in your own language. In South Africa it connects to local 5G infrastructure: fixed data from $2.87 for 1 GB over 7 days, and unlimited at $36.90 for 7 days of unlimited data, at full speed for the first 2 GB each day.
Get eSIMHolafly delivers the South Africa eSIM QR code within minutes of payment. The plan activates on a local 5G network on arrival — no SIM swap, no roaming toggle.
Get eSIMVodacom is one of South Africa's 5G operators. At $2.30/GB, a 5GB Nomad plan costs less than one day of AT&T roaming at $12/day on the same towers.
Get eSIMAiralo connects to a local 5G network in South Africa at $2.40/GB. Coverage spans all major cities and transport hubs.
Get eSIMSaily sells fixed-data plans and, in the countries checked 30 Oct 2026, unlimited plans too. In South Africa on a local 5G network at $2.60/GB, a 3GB plan covers a 5-day trip at moderate browsing intensity.
Get eSIMCompare providers: Airalo vs Holafly · Airalo vs Saily · Airalo vs Nomad · Airalo vs HelloRoam · Holafly vs Saily · Holafly vs Nomad · Holafly vs HelloRoam · Saily vs Nomad · Saily vs HelloRoam · Nomad vs HelloRoam
The full picture
Per-day roaming charges in South Africa: all major carriers
Every major carrier's published South Africa rate, side by side, with the eSIM winner highlighted.
| Carrier | Plan type | Daily | 7-day | Speed | Data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | Roaming Passport | £6.85source | £47.95 | LTE | Fair-use |
| EE | EU Daily Charge and Zone 1 Pass | £6.00source | £30.00 | LTE | Fair-use |
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $12.00source | $84.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $12.00source | $84.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| eSIM · HelloRoam | 20GB data plan | — | $31.16 | 5G | 20GB |
Compare all carrier roaming plans to see how AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and EE stack up against eSIM providers.
Pay-per-use cost audit
AT&T pay-per-use costs in South Africa: a scenario breakdown
One day in South Africa without an international plan: typical phone use runs roughly 450 MB. At AT&T's $2.05/MB pay-per-use rate, that day costs $922. Breakdown: 1 hour of navigation ($102), 30 minutes of Zoom ($922), uploading 20 photos ($410), light social media. One day with a South Africa eSIM on a local network: roughly $0.41 when you spread the plan cost across your trip. AT&T's International Day Pass is $12/day and avoids pay-per-use entirely — but even that costs more than most eSIM plans cover for the same period. Source: AT&T rate card, June 2026.
Personalize your savings
Your South Africa saving against $12 a day
Adjust the trip length, the carrier and the daily data below and the calculator reprices both sides. The starting point is the 10-day average stay recorded for South Africa: $120 on an AT&T day pass at $12 a day, against $31.16 for a 20GB travel eSIM. Both prices buy access to the same local operators.
Network coverage
Mobile network infrastructure in South Africa
Vodacom operates the sole mobile network in South Africa. US carriers pay Vodacom for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $12/day. Travel eSIMs use the same Vodacom agreement at $1.56/GB. You get the same towers, the same speed, and the same coverage. The difference is your bill. The plan feed lists 5G on a local network in South Africa. AT&T's roaming agreement covers that 5G service. Travel eSIM providers' Vodacom agreements also cover 5G. Price: AT&T $12/day versus eSIM $1.56/GB for identical 5G access. South Africa has urban-only 5G coverage. 5G in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban; Vodacom leads with widest 5G deployment Vodacom has widest coverage including game reserves; MTN strong in urban areas.
Network attachment record
The networks behind both prices in South Africa
HelloRoam publishes one local operator for South Africa: Vodacom.
One operator means no fallback network.
Where Vodacom has no signal, an eSIM has nowhere else to attach.
HelloRoam records a 5G label against Vodacom.
Carrier roaming meets the same ceiling, because roaming rents local networks.
Price is what separates the two options in South Africa. This page prices both.
5G and 4G here are capability labels. Neither one is a speed reading.
HelloRoam's operator record names Vodacom for South Africa. The same file holds 185 destinations, 154 distinct operators and 98 destinations with at least one 5G entry. Nothing in it says which operator a handset picks, and neither does this page.
| Operator | Network generation on file |
|---|---|
| Vodacom | 5G |
Source: HelloRoam package feed, read 17 August 2026. The feed publishes an operator list for every destination it sells. No speed test sits behind this table, and we ran none. The full operator map covers 185 destinations.
Pricing breakdown
South Africa data pricing: carrier vs eSIM
Verizon TravelPass for South Africa: $12/day x 14 days = $168. AT&T International Day Pass: 10 daily fees × $12 (AT&T's cap per bill cycle) = $120. A 20GB eSIM on a local network covers the full 14 days for $31.16. That is $88.84 less than AT&T and $136.84 less than Verizon.
Per-day data costs in South Africa: AT&T $12, Verizon $12, T-Mobile $10, eSIM $2.23. The eSIM figure is derived from a $31.16 20GB plan spread across 14 days. Carrier rates are fixed regardless of how much data you use each day. Vodacom prepaid at R100 ($5.50) for 5GB is very affordable — but RICA adds friction that eSIM eliminates.
eSIM plan tiers for South Africa: 1GB at $2.87 ($2.87/GB), 3GB at $6.40 ($2.13/GB), 5GB at $9.97 ($1.99/GB), 10GB at $18.20 ($1.82/GB), 20GB at $31.16 ($1.56/GB). Unlimited daily data costs $4.79/day on the 14-day plan ($67.09 in all). Even the unlimited eSIM tier costs less than AT&T's $120 roaming bill. South Africa eSIM at $1.56/GB is moderate — local SIMs much cheaper but RICA registration deters short-stay visitors. Travelers in South Africa average 1.0GB of mobile data per day, so a 14-day trip needs roughly 14GB.
South Africa publishes five unlimited durations: 1 day at $5.99, 3 days at $17.07, 7 days at $36.90, 14 days at $67.09, 30 days at $122.20. Buying the 30-day block brings the daily price to $4.07. Unlimited here means 2GB a day at full speed before a fair-use policy applies. Catalogue prices read 29 Oct 2026.
Trip cost breakdown
South Africa data costs by trip length: weekend to month
The 3-day traveler pays $36 on AT&T for maps and messaging in South Africa. A 3GB eSIM on a local network covers the same trip for $6.40 — $29.60 less.
The 14-day family vacation reaches $120 in AT&T charges per person. Four lines on one account come to $300, because each extra line used the same day adds $6. Four 20GB eSIM plans on a local network cost $124.64 combined — $175.36 less for the group.
A 30-day stay runs $120 on AT&T for video calls and streaming. A 50GB eSIM on a local network at $77.96 is 35% less for the same local towers. Rates checked June 2026.
Airport options
What to buy at South Africa airports for data
The SIM counter at OR Tambo (JNB) / Cape Town (CPT) opens after you clear immigration. Vodacom and MTN and Cell C charge $8-20 for 5-15GB / 30 days and the process takes 15-25 min; RICA registration required including registration. Passport or ID is required for SIM registration. A 1GB eSIM costs $2.87 and activates the moment your plane touches down — you skip the counter and have maps working before you reach the taxi rank. If price matters most, city shops sell prepaid cards for $5-12 for 5-15GB / 30 days, but that means another stop after arrival.
Local alternative
Local SIM vs eSIM in South Africa
Local prepaid SIM plans in South Africa from Vodacom and MTN and Cell C start at $5-12 for 5-15GB / 30 days and usually offer higher data volumes than travel eSIM plans. Coverage is the same — both options run on the local network infrastructure. The eSIM at $2.87 trades per-GB cost for instant activation and no passport requirement.
Data planning
South Africa data allowance guide: 10-day stays
At 1.0GB per day, you use roughly 64 MB per waking hour in South Africa. That is maps, messaging, email, and light social media. A 10GB plan at $18.20 gives you 10GB for 10 days.
The 10GB plan covers your 10-day trip for $18.20. AT&T's roaming cost for the same 10 days is $120. The difference is $101.80, enough for two dinners in South Africa. For heavy data users, a 1-day unlimited plan costs $5.99, still under AT&T's $12/day pass.
Connectivity
South Africa WiFi access and cellular backup
WiFi and an eSIM are not competing options in South Africa — they work together. Free WiFi in malls, cafes, and some public spaces; Vumatel fiber expanding Use hotel and cafe WiFi for large downloads, streaming, and photo uploads. Use your eSIM on a local network for navigation, payments, and anything that needs an instant connection. A $1.56/GB plan covers the gaps without paying AT&T's $12/day rate.
Plan your data
How much data you need in South Africa
Carrier roaming in South Africa runs $10-$12/day with T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon. A 10-day trip costs $50-$120 in roaming fees. A 20GB eSIM plan replaces that entire bill at $31.16.
South Africa has one mobile operator: Vodacom. US carriers pay Vodacom for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $12/day. An eSIM connects to Vodacom directly at $1.56/GB — no carrier markup.
Airport SIM counters at OR Tambo (JNB) / Cape Town (CPT) charge $8-20 for 5-15GB / 30 days after a 15-25 min; RICA registration required wait — still more than a 20GB eSIM at $31.16. Local prepaid SIMs in South Africa run $5-12 for 5-15GB / 30 days, requiring an in-person stop and sometimes a passport copy. An eSIM at $31.16 skips that entirely. Prices stable; data costs have dropped significantly in recent years
Quick reference
South Africa Travel Essentials
10111/10177
10111, 10177 are the emergency numbers in South Africa. Different numbers may route to different services — save all of them before your trip. Emergency calls work from any mobile device, including travel eSIMs.
Type C/M/N
South Africa uses Type C outlets (European two round-prong). US plugs require a Type C adapter. Check that your phone and laptop chargers show 100-240V input — most modern chargers are compatible.
SAST (UTC+2)
ZAR (R)
Tap-to-pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) is accepted at most stores and restaurants in South Africa. Visa and Mastercard work at virtually all merchants. Carry a small amount of local ZAR for markets, taxis, and small vendors that do not have card readers.
Quick tip
Traveling to South Africa during Dec-Feb? Book your eSIM before departure — airport SIM counters have longer wait times in peak months.
Good to know
Vodacom is the only mobile network in South Africa. Your carrier roaming plan and a travel eSIM both connect to the same towers. The signal quality is identical; only the cost differs.
Step by step
How to switch from carrier roaming to an eSIM in South Africa
- Open Settings > Cellular on your iPhone (or Connections > SIM on Samsung) to confirm eSIM support — Vodacom runs 5G across South Africa
- On iPhone or Pixel: open the HelloRoam app, search South Africa, and purchase the 1GB plan at $2.87 — your QR code appears in the app the moment payment clears. Compare all providers before deciding.
- On Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM and scan the QR code — do this before your flight to OR Tambo (JNB) / Cape Town (CPT) so it activates the moment you land
- On Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network > SIMs, select your home carrier, and disable the Roaming toggle. See the complete data roaming guide for all device types.
- First landing in South Africa: if your eSIM does not connect on its own, toggle Airplane Mode on then off — this forces your phone to scan for Vodacom's 5G signal
- Returning traveler: if you communicate via iMessage or WhatsApp, WiFi Calling is optional — those apps run over the HelloRoam eSIM data at no added cost and cover most communication needs in South Africa
Data tips
South Africa data efficiency guide
A VPN adds 10-20% overhead to all data usage. If you use a VPN in South Africa — for work or security on public WiFi — budget extra data. A 1 GB/hour video call becomes roughly 1.2 GB/hour through a VPN tunnel. Factor that into your plan selection if VPN use is a regular habit.
Regional context
South Africa in regional context: Africa data costs
A few things to know before turning off carrier roaming in South Africa:
South Africa SIM registration: RICA registration required: passport and proof of address (hotel booking works). A travel eSIM purchased abroad bypasses local SIM registration requirements at the point of sale.
RICA registration requires passport AND proof of address — hotel booking or tour voucher accepted
Load shedding (scheduled power outages) can affect cell tower battery backup and connectivity
South Africa has unique Type M (large three-pin) power plugs — bring a specific adapter
Vodacom has widest coverage including Kruger National Park and Garden Route
Data prices dropped after Competition Commission inquiry forced carriers to reduce prices in 2020
Free WiFi in malls, cafes, and some public spaces; Vumatel fiber expanding Roaming passes charge $12/day to fill WiFi gaps. An eSIM covers the same connectivity at $1.56/GB.
RICA registration for local SIMs takes 15-25 minutes with address proof — eSIM avoids this bureaucratic step.
South African summer December-February; whale watching season June-November; shoulder season ideal
Nearby
Related destinations
6 destinations near South Africa are priced on the same rate card. AT&T bills $12 a day in every one of them, and the figure beside each flag is that destination's own per-gigabyte floor. The cheapest of the group is Algeria at $1.23 a gigabyte.
Forgot your eSIM?
What to do if you arrive in South Africa without data
You landed in South Africa without an eSIM. Here is what that costs and what you can still do.
All 5 providers — HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, and Saily — allow post-arrival purchase and installation over WiFi. You do not need a local SIM to buy an eSIM. OR Tambo (JNB) / Cape Town (CPT) has free WiFi in the arrivals hall. Connect there, open a provider's app, and install a 1GB plan ($2.87 in this site's catalog) before you leave the terminal. If airport WiFi is unavailable, hotel lobby WiFi works as a fallback — most front desks in South Africa give you the password at check-in. Last resort: turn on carrier data long enough to download the eSIM provider app (~5 MB, roughly $10 on AT&T pay-per-use), then switch to the installed eSIM immediately. That charge lands once, unlike AT&T's $12/day pass, which bills again every day of the trip.
Savings math
How much you save in South Africa
Solo traveler
The $88.84 a solo traveler saves by choosing an eSIM over AT&T roaming in South Africa covers 5 restaurant meals, 3 museum tickets, or 1 taxi rides in most destinations. That money came from the same local network connection AT&T charges $120 for.
Family trip
Families with children face double roaming costs — two parents on full plans plus two kids whose phones sync games and app updates in the background. In South Africa, AT&T bills $12 a day for the first line and $6 for each extra line used the same day, at most 10 daily fees per line each bill cycle. Four lines for 10 days: $300. A single 20GB eSIM at $31.16 shared via hotspot covers all four devices. Total family cost drops from $300 to $31.16.
AT&T roaming rate analysis
AT&T International Day Pass does not add extra data for South Africa roaming. It uses your existing domestic plan data allowance. A customer with a 5 GB domestic plan who has used 3 GB at home has only 2 GB left for their South Africa trip. After 2 GB, AT&T throttles to slower speeds while the $12/day charge continues. A 20GB eSIM at $31.16 provides a separate data bucket that does not affect or draw from your home plan. This is the key structural advantage over Day Pass: independent data.
All-carrier summary
AT&T: AT&T International Day Pass costs 285% more than an eSIM for South Africa.
Verizon: Verizon TravelPass costs 285% more than an eSIM for South Africa.
T-Mobile: T-Mobile's International Passes cost 60% more than an eSIM for South Africa.
Vodafone: Vodafone bills South Africa in pounds and this site holds no pound-to-dollar rate, so it states no Vodafone-versus-eSIM gap.
EE: EE bills South Africa in pounds and this site holds no pound-to-dollar rate, so it states no EE-versus-eSIM gap. EE rates from its roaming checker, October 2026.
An eSIM saves money in South Africa for every trip longer than one day. The single exception: a same-day layover where you need your US number active for voice calls. AT&T's $12 for that one day may be worth the convenience. For any trip of 2+ days, the 20GB eSIM at $31.16 saves $88.84 over 10 days on a local 5G network.
Quick answers
Common questions about South Africa data costs
Is eSIM cheaper than roaming in South Africa?
A travel eSIM saves $88.84 on a 10-day South Africa trip compared to AT&T roaming. The eSIM connects to a local 5G network for $31.16. AT&T charges $12 per 24 hours of use for the same towers. The savings are 74% with no difference in coverage or signal quality. Rates checked June 2026.
How much does roaming cost in South Africa?
AT&T roaming in South Africa costs $12 for each 24 hours from the first time your phone connects to a local network. The charge triggers on background data sync at landing, not intentional use. A 10-day trip costs $120. An eSIM: $31.16 flat. Rates checked June 2026.
Does T-Mobile work in South Africa?
T-Mobile works in South Africa on its included allowance: Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. For 10 days of high-speed data, the cheapest pass mix is $50 (10-day pass). A Vodacom eSIM delivers full 5G speed for $31.16. Rates checked June 2026.
AT&T fine print for South Africa
$12 covers 24 hours from the first time your phone uses a foreign network, and a single background push notification at 2 AM can start it. AT&T bills at most 10 daily fees per line each bill cycle (terms read 31 Oct 2026).
iCloud Photos, email push, app updates all trigger the daily charge. A phone left in a bag with data roaming on starts a new $12 fee each time a sync lands after the last 24 hours ran out.
South Africa FAQ
South Africa eSIM & roaming questions
South Africa carrier roaming costs $12 a day on AT&T and on Verizon
Three US carriers cover South Africa: AT&T at $12/day, Verizon at $12/day, and T-Mobile at $10 for a 1 Day pass, with 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans. All three rent capacity from Vodacom. So do the five travel eSIM providers priced here: HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, and Saily, from $2.87 for 1GB. One thing the day pass does that a data-only eSIM does not: it keeps your own number live for calls and texts without WiFi. If you need that and use almost no data, $12/day is a fair trade. If you use data at all, it is not. Rates checked June 2026.
T-Mobile's included data in South Africa runs at high speed until the allowance ends
Until the allowance ends. T-Mobile's Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. On the same local towers in South Africa, a travel eSIM runs full 5G from $1.56/GB. The five providers differ on what happens next: HelloRoam and Holafly refund unactivated plans for 180 days, Airalo for 14. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
South Africa roaming bills by the day, not by the gigabyte
AT&T's per-day fee in South Africa covers 24 hours from first use. A background email sync an hour after that window closes starts a second fee, so 25 hours on the network costs $24. AT&T stops at 10 fees per line each bill cycle. Verizon runs the same 24-hour sessions with no stated cap. A travel eSIM at 1GB for $2.87 uses data-volume billing — the cost increases only when you actually consume data.
An hour of streaming in South Africa uses more data than a day of maps
An hour of Netflix in HD uses about 3 GB by Netflix's own figures, so it costs about $4.68 at $1.56/GB on Vodacom. Standard definition uses about 700 MB, or $1.09. YouTube at 720p uses about 900 MB an hour. Streaming is the one habit that breaks a fixed-data plan. HelloRoam's 7-day unlimited plan has the lowest median of the five at $21.50 across 35 countries, against $27.50 on Holafly, but HelloRoam's plan runs at full speed for 2 GB a day in 33 of those 35 countries, under one HD hour. Holafly states no daily cap, which is where it earns its price for a heavy streamer. AT&T covers streaming under the $12/day pass but charges it whether you watch or not. Download over hotel WiFi and the question disappears. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
SMS on a South Africa travel eSIM depends on the plan type
Data-only eSIM plans in South Africa do not include SMS. Text messages go through your home SIM. With data roaming disabled on your home SIM, incoming SMS still arrives because texts travel on the voice network, not the data network. iMessage and WhatsApp messages route over the eSIM's data connection on Vodacom at $1.56/GB. Standard SMS from your home number works without activating data roaming. The cost risk: if your home SIM accidentally connects data in South Africa, AT&T charges $12/day or $2.05/MB. Keep data roaming disabled on the home SIM. Rates checked June 2026.
US carriers reach South Africa through its local operators
AT&T covers South Africa at $12/day. Verizon covers most African countries at $12/day. T-Mobile includes 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans, then up to 256Kbps in South Africa. A travel eSIM on Vodacom provides full 5G speeds at $1.56/GB — the same carrier infrastructure as roaming, at a fraction of the cost.
South Africa mobile data carries the same load for an eSIM and for roaming
South Africa has 1 carrier providing 5G coverage. Urban and tourist areas have solid coverage; rural regions may have gaps. A travel eSIM connects to the same local networks carrier roaming uses, at $1.56/GB. Coverage quality is whatever the local network delivers, and it is the same either way.
A 10-day South Africa trip costs $120 in carrier roaming
AT&T International Day Pass for 10 days at $12/day: $120. Verizon TravelPass at $12/day: $120. T-Mobile's International Pass at $10/day: $50. A travel eSIM on Vodacom at $1.56/GB for 10 days at 1.5 GB/day average costs roughly $23.40. The eSIM saves over 80% versus any carrier's paid roaming option. Rates checked June 2026.
Rural South Africa coverage is an operator limit, not a roaming limit
Both carrier roaming and travel eSIMs connect through local networks in South Africa, and Vodacom is one of them. Coverage outside major cities depends on how widely those networks have deployed, and the same gaps hit an eSIM and AT&T or Verizon roaming alike. Urban centers and tourist corridors have consistent signal; rural and off-road areas may have limited or no service. There is no coverage advantage to choosing carrier roaming over an eSIM.
A week of South Africa carrier roaming costs $84
AT&T: $84/week (International Day Pass at $12/day). Verizon: $84/week (TravelPass). T-Mobile: 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans, then up to 256Kbps, or $50 for a week of passes (10-day pass). The cheapest eSIM for South Africa starts at $1.56/GB on a local 5G network — better per-GB value than all three carriers.
Fact check
Debunking carrier roaming claims for South Africa
WiFi is always available abroad, so you do not need a data plan
WiFi in South Africa is rated good — unreliable outside major hotels and urban cafes. Navigation apps, ride-hailing, and real-time translation all require a live data connection. A 1GB eSIM on a local network costs $2.87 for the full trip. AT&T charges $12/day for the same cellular backup.
International calling cards cover data
Traditional international calling cards provide prepaid voice minutes for international calls — they do not include mobile data. Using a calling card in South Africa leaves you without data for maps, messaging apps, or anything internet-based. A 1GB eSIM on a local network at $2.87 provides data-only coverage. Pair it with a calling card if you also need voice minutes to landlines. Rates checked June 2026.
Airport SIMs are the cheapest option
Airport SIM counters at OR Tambo (JNB) / Cape Town (CPT) in South Africa charge $8-20 for 5-15GB / 30 days, plus a 15-25 min; RICA registration required queue after clearing immigration. A 1GB eSIM costs $2.87 and installs before your flight — no counter, no queue, no passport copy. Rates checked June 2026.
Our recommendation
South Africa trip connectivity: the cost outcome
On this site's rubric, HelloRoam is the pick for South Africa. HelloRoam covers South Africa on a local network and scores 9.9/10 on our rubric, the highest of the 5 providers we price. A 1GB plan costs $2.87. Unactivated plans are refundable for 180 days, and its support replies in your own language. Holafly is the alternative for heavy data users: it states no daily cap, at a 7-day unlimited median of $27.50 on 30 Oct 2026.
Learn more
Travel guides, South Africa
4 guides carry the parts of a South Africa trip this page does not price: installing the profile before departure, switching data roaming off on the home SIM, and what happens to the allowance once a fair-use policy applies. Each one reads the same rate card as this page, where AT&T bills $12 a day.
Compare South Africa eSIM plans vs carrier roaming rates
Carrier day passes add up: 7 days x $12/day = $84. A 20GB eSIM plan covers the same trip for $31.16.
Get a South Africa eSIM