The South Africa Medal (1854 SAM) was a campaign medal approved in 1854, for issue to officers and men of the Royal Navy and British Army. The 1854 SAM was awarded to participants in three campaigns in Southern Africa: the "Kaffir" or "Frontier" Wars of 1834–5 (First Kaffir War, also known as the Sixth Frontier War), 1846–7 (Second Kaffir, Seventh Frontier), and 1850–3 (Third Kaffir, Eighth Frontier). No clasps were issued, therefore it is not immediately possible to determine which war(s) any particular medal was awarded for (reference must be made to the appropriate medal rolls).