By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo: Suresh Rajcoomar.
Cricket South Africa has unveiled a packed 2026 to 27 home schedule for the Proteas men, with high profile Test series and One Day Internationals against Australia, Bangladesh and England set to anchor a marquee international summer.
The campaign opens in late September with a three match ODI series against Australia. The first fixture takes place at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on 24 September, followed by the annual Pink Day encounter at DP World Wanderers Stadium on 27 September. The series concludes at JB Marks Oval on 30 September.
South Africa, the reigning ICC World Test Champions, then resume their World Test Championship defence with a three match Test series against Australia from 9 to 31 October. Durban again hosts the opening Test before the action moves to St George’s Park and then to Newlands Cricket Ground for the final match of the series.
Bangladesh tour spans all formats
Bangladesh arrive in November for a full tour. The two match Test series will be staged on the Highveld, beginning at the Wanderers from 15 to 19 November and continuing at SuperSport Park from 23 to 27 November.
The focus then shifts to white ball cricket. A three match ODI series from 1 to 7 December brings the Proteas to Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, St George’s Park and Newlands. That is followed by a T20 International series across Kimberley Oval, Willowmoore Park and SuperSport Park between 10 and 13 December.
Kimberley Oval retains its ICC accreditation, with maintenance work scheduled to be completed in time for the men’s fixtures after the relocation of a Proteas Women match earlier in the cycle.
England Tests to headline festive season
The summer reaches its crescendo with a three match Test series against England. The first Test begins at the Wanderers on 17 December, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park and the New Year Test at Newlands in early January.
A three match ODI series against England rounds off the season. The opening match will be played at Boland Park on 10 January, before the remaining two fixtures are staged at Manguang Oval on 13 and 15 January.
A scheduled T20 International series against England has been removed from the calendar owing to scheduling constraints, with both boards exploring alternative dates.
CSA chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said the organisation was eager to host three major cricketing nations in what promises to be a defining season.“We are looking forward to welcoming Australia, Bangladesh and England. These tours will draw supporters from across the country and we anticipate a vibrant, competitive summer that showcases the best of international cricket in South Africa,” he said.
Moseki noted the importance of sustaining momentum in the World Test Championship cycle, following a drawn series against Pakistan and a 2 nil victory over India. He added that the ODI programme forms a central pillar of preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which South Africa will host. “Every ODI series from this point contributes to our build” up for that global event, not only as hosts but as a side intent on competing strongly on home soil, he said.
ODI Series against Australia
1st ODI – Thursday, 24 September at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
2nd ODI – Sunday, 27 September at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
3rd ODI – Wednesday, 30 September at 13:30
South Africa vs Australia – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Test Series against Australia
1st Test – Friday, 09 – Tuesday, 13 October at 09:30
South Africa vs Australia – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
2nd Test – Sunday, 18 – Thursday, 22 October at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia – Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha
3rd Test – Tuesday, 27 – Saturday, 31 October at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia – World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Test Series against Bangladesh
1st Test – Sunday, 15 – Thursday, 19 November at 10:00
South Africa vs Bangladesh – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
2nd Test – Monday, 23 – Friday, 27 November at 10:00
South Africa vs Bangladesh – SuperSport Park, Centurion
ODI Series against Bangladesh
1st ODI – Tuesday, 01 December at 13:30
South Africa vs Bangladesh – Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London
2nd ODI – Friday, 04 December at 13:30
South Africa vs Bangladesh – Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha
3rd ODI – Monday, 07 December at 13:30
South Africa vs Bangladesh – World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
T20I Series against Bangladesh
1st T20I – Thursday, 10 December at 18:00
South Africa vs Bangladesh – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
2nd T20I – Saturday, 12 December at 14:30
South Africa vs Bangladesh – Willowmoore Park, Benoni
3rd T20I – Sunday, 13 December at 14:30
South Africa vs Bangladesh – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Test Series against England
1st Test – Thursday, 17 – 21 Monday, December at 10:00
South Africa vs England – DP World Wanderers Cricket Stadium, Johannesburg
2nd Test – Saturday, 26 – Wednesday, 30 December at 10:00
South Africa vs England- SuperSport Park, Centurion
3rd Test – Sunday, 03 – Thursday, 07 January at 10:30
South Africa vs England – World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
ODI Series against England
1st ODI – Sunday, 10 January at 10:00
South Africa vs England – Boland Park, Paarl
2nd ODI – Wednesday, 13 January at 13:30
South Africa vs England – Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein
3rd ODI – Friday, 15 January at 10:00
South Africa vs England – Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein.