Australia Tour of South Africa 2026

Series hub · Updated 2026-10-18 · CBTF Punters analysis team

Australia tour of South Africa 2026: series overview

Australia's 2026 tour of South Africa is one of the biggest series of the season. It is Australia's first Test tour of South Africa since 2018, and the three Tests bring together the last two winners of the ICC World Test Championship. The results feed directly into the race for the next WTC final.

South Africa took the ODI series 2–1, but Australia hit back with a dominant win in the 1st Test at Durban. The 2nd Test in Gqeberha began on 18 October, and the series finishes at Newlands, Cape Town, from 27 October.

SA vs AUS 2026 schedule, match timings (IST) & results

South Africa is 3 hours 30 minutes behind India (IST). A 10:00 AM start in South Africa is 1:30 PM in India.

ODI series recap: South Africa win 2–1

1st ODI, Durban: South Africa posted 297 for 8 and bowled Australia out for 230 to win by 67 runs. Fast bowler Jack Edwards made his ODI debut for Australia.

2nd ODI, Johannesburg: A high-scoring game at the Wanderers. South Africa made 365 for 9, and Australia fell 32 runs short with 333. Edwards took his first ODI five-wicket haul, and David Miller hit his 150th ODI six.

3rd ODI, Potchefstroom: Australia avoided a whitewash. They scored 322 for 9, and rain reduced the chase. South Africa were 145 for 4 after 28 overs, and Australia won by 45 runs on the DLS method. Read our DLS method explainer.

Top performers: Mitchell Marsh led the run charts with 200 runs, followed by Matthew Breetzke with 171. Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch took six wickets each, and Maharaj was player of the series.

1st Test recap, Durban: Australia win by 214 runs

Australia won the toss and batted at Kingsmead. They were in trouble at 6 for 124 but recovered to 390, led by Matt Renshaw's 190. Renshaw added 82 in the second innings and was named player of the match. Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster also made useful contributions.

Chasing a huge target, South Africa were bowled out for 206 on the final day. Aiden Markram fought hard for 75 off 237 balls, but Josh Hazlewood took 6 for 49 in the innings and eight wickets in the match. Alex Carey's one-handed catch broke a key partnership. It was South Africa's first Test defeat under Temba Bavuma's captaincy.

2nd Test preview: St George's Park, Gqeberha (18–22 Oct)

Start time: 10:00 AM local (1:30 PM IST). Sessions run 10:00–12:00, 12:40–14:40 and 15:00–17:00 local time.

South Africa team news: Tony de Zorzi is out with a hamstring strain, and Kagiso Rabada is expected to return. Matthew Breetzke was expected to come in for Tristan Stubbs, with Ryan Rickelton taking the wicketkeeping gloves from Kyle Verreynne.

Australia team news: Josh Inglis was named back in the squad after recovering from a broken finger, but Australia were expected to keep a settled side after Durban. Cameron Green was unlikely to be fit because of an abdominal strain. Scott Boland was an outside option if conditions favoured a four-pronged pace attack.

Probable playing XI (pre-match)

This is the probable XI published before the toss. Simon Harmer was an alternative spin option for South Africa. Check the official scorecard for the confirmed line-ups.

Pitch report: St George's Park

Since 2020, St George's Park has been the most spin-friendly Test ground in South Africa, with spinners averaging under 23 runs per wicket against more than 34 for fast bowlers. But this is the earliest-ever summer Test at the venue, and first-class matches here at this time of year have tended to favour pace. Expect both spinners and seamers to have a role, with the coastal breeze offering some swing. Australia's record at the ground is 3 wins and 4 defeats, and South Africa have won the last two meetings there.

Key battles

• Kagiso Rabada vs Matt Renshaw: South Africa's spearhead returns against the in-form opener who dominated Durban.
• Josh Hazlewood vs Aiden Markram: Markram was South Africa's best batter in the 1st Test, and Hazlewood was the best bowler.
• Keshav Maharaj vs Steve Smith: On a ground with a history of helping spin, Maharaj's battle with Australia's middle order could decide the match.

Fantasy cricket picks

Captain options: Josh Hazlewood, Matt Renshaw, Aiden Markram.
Vice-captain options: Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Pat Cummins.
Differentials: Keshav Maharaj and Nathan Lyon, if the pitch turns as it has in recent years. Always check the confirmed XI after the toss.

3rd Test: Newlands, Cape Town (27–31 Oct)

The series ends at Newlands, starting at 10:30 AM local time (2:00 PM IST). It will be Australia's first Test at the ground since 2018. A full preview with the pitch report and probable XIs will be added before the match.

South Africa vs Australia Test squads

Squads as announced, with changes for injuries. Availability can change during the series.

Venues and pitch reports

Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

A coastal ground where humidity and cloud cover can help swing and seam, especially early in the day. In the 1st Test of this series, Australia recovered from 6 down for 124 to post 390, then bowled South Africa out to win by 214 runs.

Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Johannesburg's altitude helps the ball fly to the boundary, and the pitch traditionally offers pace and bounce. It is one of the best batting venues in white-ball cricket. South Africa made 365 for 9 here in the 2nd ODI.

JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

A smaller international venue that hosted the day-night 3rd ODI and Australia's warm-up game. Rain shortened the 3rd ODI, which Australia won on DLS.

St George's Park, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

South Africa's oldest Test ground. Since 2020 it has been the most spin-friendly Test venue in the country, but this is the earliest summer Test played there, and recent first-class games at this time of year have favoured pace. The breeze off the coast can also affect swing.

Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

Set beneath Table Mountain, Newlands usually offers seam movement early and more help for spinners as the pitch wears. The strong south-easterly wind can shape bowling plans. This is Australia's first Test at Newlands since the 2018 tour.

Want to learn how we read conditions? See how to read a cricket pitch report.

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