The iconic rivalry between South Africa and Australia is set to ignite once again as the two cricketing giants prepare for a significant bilateral series on South African soil in September and October 2026. This tour marks Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the controversial ‘sandpaper-gate’ incident in 2018, adding an extra layer of anticipation.
With South Africa also having defeated Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final, the visitors will be keen to settle scores in what promises to be an enthralling contest across both white-ball and red-ball formats. The series, which includes three One-Day Internationals and three ICC World Test Championship matches, is a highlight of the 2026 cricket calendar.
Full Schedule and Venues
The tour kicks off with the One-Day International series, followed by the crucial Test matches that form part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. All match timings are listed in South African Standard Time (SAST), which is GMT+2.
South Africa vs Australia ODI Series
| Match | Date | Venue | City | SAST Start Time | IST Start Time | BST Start Time | AEST Start Time (Sydney) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | Kingsmead Stadium | Durban | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | Sunday, September 27, 2026 | Wanderers Stadium | Johannesburg | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | JB Marks Oval | Potchefstroom | 1:30 PM | 5:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
South Africa vs Australia Test Series
| Match | Date | Venue | City | SAST Start Time (Daily) | IST Start Time (Daily) | UK Time (Daily) | AEST Start Time (Sydney) (Daily) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | October 9-13, 2026 | Kingsmead Stadium | Durban | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 8:30 AM BST | 5:30 PM |
| 2nd Test | October 18-22, 2026 | St George’s Park | Gqeberha | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 9:00 AM BST | 6:00 PM |
| 3rd Test | October 27-31, 2026 | Newlands Cricket Ground | Cape Town | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 8:00 AM GMT | 6:00 PM |
Where to Watch
Catch all the thrilling action from the South Africa vs Australia series on these platforms across various regions:
- South Africa: SuperSport holds the broadcast rights for all men’s international matches hosted by Cricket South Africa until the end of the 2026-27 season. While the SABC initially announced a partnership for free-to-air coverage, reports from May 2026 indicate a potential failure to reach an agreement for this specific series, suggesting SuperSport might be the sole confirmed broadcaster.
- Australia: Australian cricket fans can follow every moment of the Proteas’ men’s and women’s international matches, including this series, exclusively on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. The Foxtel Group extended their multi-year broadcast deal with Cricket South Africa in July 2024.
- United Kingdom: As of early September 2026, Cricket South Africa has yet to secure a UK television rights deal for this series. Sky Sports reportedly declined to renew their long-term contract, and other potential broadcasters like TNT Sports are currently unable to commit. Fans in the UK should monitor official announcements closer to the series for broadcast details.
- India: Broadcast details for South Africa’s home series against Australia in India are yet to be officially announced. Star Sports are likely to broadcast the series in India.
- USA & Canada: Official broadcast details for this bilateral series in the USA and Canada are not yet confirmed. WillowTV is known for broadcasting ICC events in the region, but specific rights for this South African home series are not currently available.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
The rivalry between South Africa and Australia has always been intense. Australia’s previous Test tour to South Africa in 2018 was marred by the ‘sandpaper-gate’ scandal. More recently, South Africa clinched an upset victory against Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final, setting the stage for a compelling Test series where Australia will be eager for redemption. In recent ODI series clashes, South Africa has held the upper hand, winning four out of the last five bilateral ODI series against Australia, including a 5-0 whitewash in 2016 and a 2-1 victory in 2025.
This upcoming series promises to be a thrilling chapter in one of cricket’s most storied rivalries, with both teams vying for dominance and crucial World Test Championship points. Fans should prepare for a captivating display of cricketing prowess across both formats.