Australia Tour of South Africa 2026: Schedule, Squads and Where to Watch

Champions vs Challengers: Everything About Australia's 2026 South Africa Tour

What does the tour involve?

Six matches over five weeks: three ODIs (September 24 to 30) followed by a three-Test series (October 9 to 31), across five South African cities.

Why is it such a big deal?

It is a rematch of the last two World Test Championship finalists. South Africa are the reigning Test champions and will defend that status at home against Australia.

Where can I watch it?

On SuperSport in South Africa, Fox Cricket and Kayo in Australia, Star Sports and JioHotstar in India, Sky Sports in the UK, and Willow TV in the USA. Full list below.

The Story: A Heavyweight Clash With History

This is one of the standout tours of the season. Australia travel to South Africa for a full-scale, month-long contest, and the two sides could hardly be bigger. The tour opens with a three-match ODI series before the main event, a three-Test series that carries real weight in the world game.

For readers new to the format side of things: the Tests count towards the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), the two-year league that crowns the best team in the longest form of cricket. What makes this series special is that it reunites the last two finalists of that competition, with South Africa defending the title they won in 2025, on their home soil. It is also Australia's first Test tour of South Africa since 2018.

The ODI Leg: A Full-Strength Australia

The white-ball leg comes first, and Australia arrive at full strength. After resting their frontline quicks for an earlier tour of Zimbabwe, captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are back for these ODIs, joining a batting order led by Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith's absence from the 50-over group notwithstanding, a deep, dangerous squad.

South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, boast serious quality of their own, with Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, David Miller and all-rounder Marco Jansen giving them plenty of firepower as they open their home season.

The Test Leg: The Main Event

Make no mistake, the three Tests are what this tour is really about. As the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa will be desperate to prove their crown was no fluke, while Australia, long-time kings of the format, will want to knock them off their perch on their own turf.

Australia's Test squad is packed with proven names, from captain Cummins and spin great Nathan Lyon to batters Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. South Africa's Test group revolves around their world-class pace attack and the leadership of Bavuma. Expect hard, absorbing cricket at some of the game's most historic grounds, finishing at the iconic Newlands in Cape Town.

Where to Watch: Broadcast and Streaming

Here is how to follow the tour around the world.

There is no free-to-air coverage in Australia, so a Kayo or Foxtel subscription is needed there.

Players to Watch

Pat Cummins (Australia): The captain and spearhead, leading from the front in both formats.

Travis Head (Australia): A destructive, match-turning batter in every format he plays.

Marco Jansen (South Africa): A tall, hostile all-rounder who can hurt Australia with bat and ball.

Aiden Markram (South Africa): A key figure in South Africa's rise to Test champions and a big-game player.

Full Schedule (Local, IST and ET)

All local times are South African Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30) and ET is US Eastern Time (EDT, UTC-4). All start times fall on the same calendar date in each zone.

ODI Series

Test Series

📄 Download the full schedule as a PDF to save or share.

The Squads

South Africa (ODI)

Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Duan Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqobani Mokoena, Lizaad Williams.

Australia (ODI)

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Jack Edwards, Oliver Peake, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Joel Davies, Adam Zampa.

Australia (Test)

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Cooper Connolly.

South Africa's Test squad is expected to be confirmed closer to the red-ball leg.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Australia tour of South Africa 2026 start?

It begins on September 24 with the first ODI in Durban and runs until October 31.

How many matches are on the tour?

Six in total: three ODIs and three Tests.

Why do the Tests matter so much?

They count towards the World Test Championship, and South Africa are defending the title they won in 2025.

Where can I watch in the USA?

On Willow TV, available through cable providers or via Sling TV and Prime Video.

Which venues host the Tests?

Kingsmead in Durban, St George's Park in Gqeberha, and Newlands in Cape Town.

Related Guides and Series Coverage

📋 Australia Tour of South Africa 2026: Full Results and Scorecards

📋 World Test Championship 2025-27 Guide and Standings

📋 South Africa and Australia Squad and Players Lists

📋 Test Cricket Explained: Rules, Format and How It Works