The Afrino was the result of a breeding and evaluation project initiated at the Carnarvon Experimental Station in the North Western Karoo following an identified need for a fertile white-woolled mutton sheep for extensive grazing areas. Evaluations showed that a combination of 25% merino, 25% Ronderib Afrikaner and 50% Mutton Merino produced the best results and this formed the basis of the Afrino. The Afrino Breeders' Society of South Africa was established on 5 February 1980.