Cricket South Africa has unveiled its packed international calendar for the 2026-27 season, spotlighting a high-stakes tour by Australia in September-October. This marks the Australian team’s return to South African soil since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal that rocked the cricketing world at Newlands, Cape Town.
The tour kicks off with a thrilling three-match ODI series. The opener is set for September 24 at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, followed by the second clash on September 27 at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The finale will light up JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on September 30. Adding to the buildup, a warm-up match is scheduled for October 3-4 at the same Potchefstroom venue.
Transitioning to the longest format, the Test series promises intense battles. The first Test runs from October 9-13 at Kingsmead, Durban. Gqeberha’s St George’s Park hosts the second from October 18-22, while Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Ground stages the decider between October 27-31 – a venue etched in controversy from 2018.
Australia’s squad will feature familiar faces from that scandal-hit tour, including captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood. Notably absent is David Warner, now retired after a year-long ban, and Cameron Bancroft, unlikely to feature post his nine-month suspension.
Before heading to South Africa, Australia will host Bangladesh in limited-overs matches in northern Australia in August, rounding out a demanding schedule that tests their prowess across formats. Fans anticipate redemption narratives and fierce rivalries as these two powerhouse teams collide.