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Australia’s tour of South Africa has started on 24 September and will be in action until 31 October 2026 for 3 ODIs and 3 Tests. The South Africa vs Australia 2026 series opens with the 1st ODI at Kingsmead in Durban on 24 September and ends with the 3rd Test at Newlands in Cape Town on 31 October. The ODIs are in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. The Tests are in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town, and count towards the 2025-27 World Test Championship, where Australia sit 1st and South Africa 2nd.
The 1st and 2nd ODIs start at 10:00 AM local time (1:30 PM IST). The 3rd ODI is a day-night match starting at 1:30 PM local (5:00 PM IST). Test start times vary by venue.
This is Australia's first Test tour of South Africa since 2018.
This page is updated after every squad change, injury update and result.
Below you will find the full schedule, match timings in IST and other time zones, venue and pitch guides, and both squads.
The tour runs for 38 days. The 3 ODIs come first, then a 2-day tour match, then the 3-Test series.
The tour match is played between Australia and a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI. It is not an international fixture.
The ODIs are played 2 days apart. The Tests have 4 clear days between them.
The opening ODI falls on Heritage Day, a public holiday in South Africa. Australia arrive from Zimbabwe, where they won the ODI series 3-0.
The Potchefstroom ground appears as JB Marks Oval, Senwes Park and NWC Oval in different listings. All 3 names refer to the same venue. Gqeberha was known as Port Elizabeth until 2021.
The first 2 ODIs start at 10:00 AM South African time. The 3rd ODI is a day-night match and starts at 1:30 PM. Each Test starts at a different time: 9:30 AM in Durban, 10:00 AM in Gqeberha and 10:30 AM in Cape Town.
Two clock changes fall inside the tour:
Australia: Daylight saving begins in New South Wales and Victoria on 4 October. The ODIs are on AEST and all 3 Tests are on AEDT.
UK: Clocks go back on 25 October. The 3rd Test is on GMT and every earlier match is on BST.
Toss times are not listed here because they have not been officially confirmed. They are usually announced on the morning of each match.
The tour uses 5 grounds in 5 cities. Durban hosts both an ODI and a Test. Potchefstroom hosts an ODI and the tour match.
Kingsmead, Durban: Its full name is Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, and it is the home of the Dolphins. The ends are the Umgeni End and the Old Fort Road End. Australia have won 6 of their 9 ODIs here. South Africa have won 7 of their last 8 ODIs at the ground.
The Wanderers, Johannesburg: This venue is the ground of the 2006 "438 game", when South Africa chased down Australia's 434. Australia have won 6 of their 11 ODIs here.
JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom: It is also listed as Senwes Park and NWC Oval. It is the smallest ground on the tour. Australia's ODI record here is 2 wins and 1 tie from 5 matches. Marnus Labuschagne scored one of his 2 ODI centuries at this ground in 2020.
St George's Park, Gqeberha: It is one of the oldest Test grounds in the world. According to Cricket Australia, it is the only South African venue since the COVID-19 pandemic where spin has taken more wickets than pace.
Newlands, Cape Town: This was the venue of the 2018 ball-tampering Test, and it hosts the final Test of this tour. Of the Australian players from that tour, only Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Matthew Renshaw remain in the squad.
Pace has been the main wicket-taking method across all 5 venues. Spin has still been economical in ODIs, so both sides are likely to use their slower bowlers for control.
ODIs: Kingsmead suits bowlers who pitch the ball up and use the new ball well. The Wanderers usually produce high totals, and the ball keeps carrying through the 50 overs. Potchefstroom is the best batting surface of the 3.
Tests: Durban should suit both pace attacks. Australia's squad includes 2 frontline spinners, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann. Australia Cricket selectors have said that playing both together could be considered in Gqeberha. At Newlands, the new ball matters most early on, and the spinners come into play late in the match.
South Africa's pace attack is weakened for the ODIs. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka are all out with hamstring injuries. Whether Rabada and Ngidi recover in time for the 1st Test on 9 October is the key selection question.
The tour covers South Africa's spring and passes through 3 very different climates.
Durban (1st ODI and 1st Test): The air is humid and coastal. Early-season rain is possible, and humidity can help the new ball swing.
Johannesburg and Potchefstroom (2nd and 3rd ODI): These are on the Highveld, at altitude. Late September is usually dry and warm. Thunderstorms become more common later in the season, so an afternoon storm cannot be ruled out.
Gqeberha (2nd Test): Wind is the main factor at this coastal ground. It affects which end bowlers choose and how much the ball swings.
Cape Town (3rd Test): Late October is usually dry. The southeasterly wind can be strong and changes how bowlers operate from each end.
Dew is not a major factor on this tour. The only day-night match is the 3rd ODI in Potchefstroom. Match-day forecasts are in each match preview.
Both boards have named their ODI squads. Australia have also announced their Test squad for the series. South Africa's Test squad is yet to be announced.
Temba Bavuma captains South Africa. Pat Cummins is Australia's named captain in both formats, but Mitchell Marsh led the side in the 1st ODI with Cummins rested.
South Africa's squad has changed because of injuries. Kagiso Rabada was ruled out before selection with a right hamstring injury. Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi and Kwena Maphaka then withdrew with hamstring problems of their own and were replaced by Duan Jansen, Nqobani Mokoena and Lizaad Williams. Aiden Markram missed the 1st ODI for personal reasons and is available for the last 2.
Australia lost Billy Stanlake to a side injury in Zimbabwe, and Spencer Johnson went home as part of workload management. NSW all-rounder Jack Edwards was added and made his ODI debut in Durban.
Quinton de Kock and David Miller were picked without central contracts. Gerald Coetzee is playing his first ODI series since the 2023 World Cup.
To be confirmed. Updated on the announcement.
Rabada and Ngidi are both being monitored ahead of the 1st Test on 9 October. Head coach Shukri Conrad has said he would be very surprised if Rabada missed the Test series.
Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa.
Marnus Labuschagne was left out of the ODI squad.
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Beau Webster.
This is the full Australia squad for the Tests and completes the SA vs AUS players list as it stands.
Matthew Breetzke: He scored 150 on his ODI debut and averages 59.16 from his first 13 ODI innings, striking at close to 100. This is his first ODI series at home.
Marco Jansen: With Rabada and Ngidi out, he leads the attack. His 32 ODI caps are more than the other seamers in the squad have between them.
Keshav Maharaj: South Africa's main source of control, and more important than usual, with 4 frontline quicks injured. Bavuma has said picking 2 spinners at home is an option.
Aiden Markram: Scored 136 in the 2025 WTC final against Australia. He is central to the Test series and is available for the last 2 ODIs.
Kagiso Rabada: Currently injured. Whether he is fit for the 1st Test is the biggest team news of the tour.
Travis Head: The leading run-scorer of the 2025-27 WTC cycle, with 914 runs.
Mitchell Starc: The leading wicket-taker of the cycle, with 58 wickets. He also plays in the ODIs.
Josh Inglis: Has 554 runs at an average of 46.2 in his last 13 ODI innings, including 103 off 102 balls in the series decider against Zimbabwe.
Cooper Connolly: Has settled in at No. 3 in the ODI side with back-to-back half-centuries and is also in the Test squad.
Marnus Labuschagne: Has averaged 24.69 in 43 Test innings since his last century in 2023. This series may decide whether he keeps his place at No. 3.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma captains in both formats. Shukri Conrad is head coach.
Australia: Pat Cummins captains in both formats. Mitchell Marsh stands in when Cummins is rested, as he did in the 1st ODI. Andrew McDonald is head coach, and George Bailey chairs the selection panel.
Leadership storylines: Bavuma led South Africa to the 2025 WTC title, and this is his first home Test series against Australia since then. Cummins has played only 2 of Australia's 31 ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, and selectors want him back in the format before the 2027 World Cup in Southern Africa.
South Africa lead the ODI record. Australia lead the Test record by a wide margin.
SA vs AUS H2H ODI: South Africa have won their last 5 bilateral ODI series against Australia. That is the longest winning run by either side in this fixture. Australia's last ODI series win over South Africa was a 4-1 victory in November 2014. South Africa are the only country to have a winning ODI record against Australia.
SA vs AUS Test record: Australia have won twice as many Tests as South Africa. The most recent Test between the sides was the 2025 WTC final at Lord's, which South Africa won by 5 wickets. The last Test series in South Africa, in 2018, was won by South Africa 3-1. Australia's last Test series win in South Africa was in 2014.
The ODI figures are as of the start of this series. Update them after each match.
South Africa:
ODIs: Beat Namibia 3-0 this month with a largely second-string side. In 2025 they won 2-1 series away to Australia and England, then lost 2-1 away to Pakistan and India. They have lost their last 2 home ODI series.
Tests: Second in the WTC table with 3 wins from 4 Tests, a points percentage of 75.
Australia:
ODIs: Beat Zimbabwe 3-0 last week. Before that, they had lost 4 of their previous 5 ODI series, including away defeats to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Tests: Top of the WTC table with 8 wins from 10 Tests, a points percentage of 80. That run includes a 4-1 home Ashes win over England. In August they drew 1-1 at home to Bangladesh.
Refresh this section after the ODI series and again before the 1st Test.
The ODIs:
For South Africa: They are at home and have won the last 5 bilateral ODI series between the sides.
For Australia: South Africa's pace attack is badly weakened. Apart from Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch, their seamers have very little ODI experience between them. Australia have Starc, Hazlewood and Ellis available, which makes for a stronger attack on paper.
Venues: The Wanderers and Potchefstroom are high-scoring grounds, so South Africa's batting depth may matter more than their bowling.
The Tests: These are the top 2 sides in the WTC, and the series carries full WTC points.
For South Africa: Home conditions and the confidence of beating Australia in the 2025 final.
For Australia: A settled Test side. Head and Starc lead the WTC run and wicket lists, while Lyon and Kuhnemann provide them with 2 spin options for Gqeberha.
The deciding factor: Fitness. A South African attack with Rabada is very different from one without him. South Africa have also played only 4 Tests in this WTC cycle, against Australia's 10.
Full breakdowns are in our ODI series preview, Test series preview and all 6 match previews.
This is editorial analysis based on form, conditions and squad news. It is not betting advice or a prediction of any outcome.
India: FanCode streams the series live on its app and website. It sells match passes and tour passes. The TV channel has not been officially confirmed. Most reports name Eurosport as the television partner, so check local listings before each match.
Australia: Fox Cricket on TV and Kayo Sports for streaming. Cricket Australia has confirmed both hold exclusive rights.
South Africa: SuperSport, with SABC also carrying coverage.
UK: Sky Sports Cricket, streaming on Sky Go and NOW, according to broadcast listings.
USA: Willow, available through Prime Video, according to broadcast listings.
Start times in India:
1st and 2nd ODIs: 1:30 PM IST
3rd ODI: 5:00 PM IST
1st Test: 1:00 PM IST
2nd Test: 1:30 PM IST
3rd Test: 2:00 PM IST
Rights outside these markets vary by territory. Check your local rights holder rather than assuming the last tour's broadcaster still has them.
Cricket South Africa sells tickets through its official ticketing site, tickets.cricket.co.za, and its ticketing partner Ticketpro. Buy from one of these 2 only.
Prices:
1st ODI at Kingsmead: from R200, per the official listing.
2nd and 3rd ODIs: reported at R150 for the Wanderers and R100 for Potchefstroom. Confirm these against the official listing.
Pink Day: The 2nd ODI at the Wanderers is reported to be the ground's annual Pink Day match, which usually sells the fastest.
Tests: Tickets are sold by day and as full-match packages. Prices vary by venue and stand.
Avoid resale sites. Several resale websites are listing tickets for this series at marked-up prices. Tickets bought outside the official channels may be refused at the gate.
Full previews for all 6 matches, with team news, pitch reports and predicted XIs.
1st ODI, Durban, 24 September: Australia won the toss and bowled first. Jack Edwards is making his ODI debut. South Africa's openers Tony de Zorzi and Quinton de Kock have both been dismissed, as has captain Temba Bavuma.
2nd ODI, Johannesburg, 27 September: The Wanderers, venue of the 2006 "438 game", on its annual Pink Day. [Read preview]
3rd ODI, Potchefstroom, 30 September: The only day-night match of the tour, at the smallest ground. [Read preview]
1st Test, Durban, 9 to 13 October: Australia's first Test in South Africa since 2018, and the first meeting of the sides since the 2025 WTC final. [Read preview]
2nd Test, Gqeberha, 18 to 22 October: The most spin-friendly Test ground in South Africa. Australia could pick Lyon and Kuhnemann together. [Read preview]
3rd Test, Cape Town, 27 to 31 October: The tour ends at Newlands, the ground where the 2018 ball-tampering scandal took place. [Read preview]
World Test Championship. The Tests are between the top 2 sides in the 2025-27 WTC table, according to the ICC standings as of 12 September.
South Africa are the defending WTC champions. A home series win over Australia would put them in a strong position to reach the next final.
2027 ODI World Cup. The next World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027. Australia are the defending champions in the ODI World Cup.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad has called this series an important step in shaping South Africa's World Cup squad.
Australian selectors want to give Pat Cummins ODI matches before the tournament.
Home record. This is South Africa's first home ODI series since December 2024. They have lost their last 2 home ODI series. Losing this one would mean their first run of 3 straight home ODI series defeats.
2018. This is Australia's first Test tour of South Africa since the ball-tampering scandal. The 6 players still in the squad from that tour are Cummins, Hazlewood, Lyon, Smith, Starc and Renshaw. The series finishes at Newlands, the ground where the scandal took place.
Milestones to watch. Head and Starc lead the WTC cycle's run and wicket lists. Labuschagne is under pressure for his No. 3 Test spot.
Q. When does the South Africa vs Australia 2026 series start?
Ans. It started on 24 September 2026 with the 1st ODI at Kingsmead in Durban. It ends with the 3rd Test at Newlands in Cape Town, which runs from 27 to 31 October.
Q. How many matches are there in the Australia tour of South Africa 2026?
Ans: 6 international matches: 3 ODIs and 3 Tests. There is also a 2-day tour match against a CSA Invitation XI in Potchefstroom on 3 and 4 October.
Q. What is the SA vs AUS 2026 schedule?
Ans: Here is the schedule:
1st ODI: 24 September, Durban
2nd ODI: 27 September, Johannesburg
3rd ODI: 30 September, Potchefstroom
1st Test: 9 to 13 October, Durban
2nd Test: 18 to 22 October, Gqeberha
3rd Test: 27 to 31 October, Cape Town
Q. What are the SA vs AUS match dates for the Test series?
Ans: Below are the match dates:
1st Test: 9 to 13 October 2026, Kingsmead, Durban
2nd Test: 18 to 22 October 2026, St George's Park, Gqeberha
3rd Test: 27 to 31 October 2026, Newlands, Cape Town
Q. What time do the SA vs AUS 2026 matches start in India?
Ans: Here are the timelines:
1st and 2nd ODIs: 1:30 PM IST
3rd ODI: 5:00 PM IST
1st Test: 1:00 PM IST
2nd Test: 1:30 PM IST
3rd Test: 2:00 PM IST
Q. What is the South Africa vs Australia 2026 timetable in local time?
Ans: Here it is:
1st and 2nd ODIs: 10:00 AM SAST
3rd ODI (day-night): 1:30 PM SAST
1st Test: 9:30 AM SAST
2nd Test: 10:00 AM SAST
3rd Test: 10:30 AM SAST
Q. Where can I watch SA vs AUS 2026 live in India?
Ans: FanCode streams the series on its app and website. Most reports name Eurosport as the TV channel, but the information has not been officially confirmed.
Q. Where can I watch SA vs AUS 2026 in Australia?
Ans: On Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports, which hold exclusive rights in Australia.
Q. Who are the captains for SA vs AUS 2026?
Ans: Temba Bavuma captains South Africa and Pat Cummins captains Australia, both in ODIs and Tests. Mitchell Marsh captained Australia in the 1st ODI because Cummins was rested.
Q. What is the South Africa squad vs Australia 2026?
Ans: The ODI squad is Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams. The Test squad has not been announced.
Q. What is the Australia squad for the South Africa tour?
Ans: Here are the squads for both ODI and Tests:
ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa.
Test squad: Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Carey, Connolly, Green, Hazlewood, Head, Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Renshaw, Steve Smith, Starc and Beau Webster.
Q. Is Kagiso Rabada playing in the SA vs AUS 2026 series?
He is out of the ODIs with a right hamstring injury. Coach Shukri Conrad expects him to be available for the Tests, but his fitness will be assessed before the 1st Test on 9 October.
Q. Which South African pace bowlers are injured?
Ans: Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka are all out of the ODIs due to hamstring injuries. Their replacements are Duan Jansen, Nqobani Mokoena and Lizaad Williams.
Q. Why is Marnus Labuschagne not in Australia's ODI squad?
Ans: Selectors left him out after a lean run across formats. He is still in the Test squad.
Q. What is the South Africa vs Australia head to head record in ODIs?
Ans: Before this series, the sides had played 113 ODIs. South Africa won 57 and Australia won 52, with 3 ties and 1 no result. South Africa have won the last 5 bilateral ODI series between the teams.
Q. What is the SA vs AUS Test record?
Ans: Australia lead with 54 wins to South Africa's 27, with 21 draws in 102 Tests. South Africa won the most recent Test, the 2025 WTC final at Lord's, by 5 wickets.
Q. When did South Africa last win a Test series against Australia at home?
Ans: In 2018, South Africa won the Test series by 3-1.
Q. Who will win SA vs AUS 2026?
Ans: Both series are close. South Africa have a better recent ODI record against Australia but are missing 4 frontline quicks. The Tests are between the top 2 WTC sides and may depend on whether Rabada is fit.
Q. Is the SA vs AUS Test series part of the World Test Championship?
Ans: Yes. All 3 Tests count towards the 2025-27 WTC. Australia are 1st and South Africa 2nd in the table.
Q. Is this Australia's first Test tour of South Africa since 2018?
Ans: Yes. It is their first Test tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Q. Where is the 3rd ODI being played?
Ans: At the ground in Potchefstroom listed as JB Marks Oval, Senwes Park or NWC Oval. All 3 names refer to the same venue.
Q. Where can I buy SA vs AUS tickets?
Ans: From tickets.cricket.co.za or Ticketpro, the official sellers. Tickets for the 1st ODI at Kingsmead start at R200. Avoid resale websites.
Q. Are there any T20Is on this tour?
Ans: No. The tour is 3 ODIs and 3 Tests only.
Q. Who are the head coaches?
Ans: Shukri Conrad coaches South Africa, and Andrew McDonald coaches Australia.
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