The Australia–South Africa cricket rivalry has delivered high drama for decades, and the 2026 tour of South Africa promises more of the same. From the first Test at Kingsmead on October 9 to the head-to-head battles that define this contest, here’s the schedule, how to follow it, and where the two sides stand.

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Next Test Date (2026 Tour): October 9, 2026 ·
Tour Duration: September 24 – October 31, 2026 ·
Match Count: 3 Tests, 3 ODIs

Quick snapshot

1Upcoming 2026 Tour
2Watch Live
  • Australia: Kayo & Fox Cricket (Cricket.com.au)
  • South Africa: SuperSport (Cricket.com.au)
  • UK/Ireland: Sky Sports (Cricket.com.au)
3Tour Venues
4Head-to-Head
  • Tests: Australia leads in wins
  • ODIs: Australia leads in wins
  • T20s: South Africa leads in wins

The schedule reverses the traditional order: the ODI series precedes the Tests, a change from previous tours.

Match Date Venue Source
1st ODI September 24, 2026 Kingsmead, Durban Cricket.com.au
2nd ODI September 27, 2026 Wanderers, Johannesburg Cricket.com.au
3rd ODI (D/N) September 30, 2026 JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom Cricket.com.au
1st Test October 9–13, 2026 Kingsmead, Durban Cricket.com.au
2nd Test October 18–22, 2026 St George’s Park, Gqeberha Cricket.com.au
3rd Test October 27–31, 2026 Newlands, Cape Town Cricket.com.au

The schedule is confirmed by Cricket South Africa and the Australian board. The implication: planning your viewing or travel around these dates is safe.

Where can we watch Australia vs South Africa?

Live streaming services for Australia vs South Africa

  • In Australia, all matches are broadcast exclusively on Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket (Cricket.com.au, the official Australian cricket board).
  • In South Africa, SuperSport holds the rights.
  • UK and Ireland viewers can watch on Sky Sports.

TV channels broadcasting the matches

  • Fox Cricket (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (UK/Ireland).
  • Check local listings for other regions; the official broadcasters are typically announced closer to the tour.

How to watch in Ireland and other regions

  • Ireland: Sky Sports is the primary option. Streaming via Now TV may also be available.
  • For the United States, ESPN+ or Willow TV often carry Australian tours.
  • Always verify on the official Cricket South Africa or Cricket Australia social media channels for the latest broadcast updates.
The upshot

For Australian fans, the Kayo/Fox Cricket monopoly means no free-to-air coverage — a trade-off for the convenience of streaming every ball.

Is Australia touring South Africa in 2026?

Confirmed tour dates and match schedule

Test, ODI, and T20 series details

  • The tour is a six-match bilateral men’s series: 3 ODIs and 3 Tests. No T20s have been confirmed for the 2026 tour (Cricbuzz, popular cricket news platform).
  • Warm-up match: a tour game in Potchefstroom on October 3–4, 2026 (ESPNcricinfo, global cricket statistics provider).

Venue information for the 2026 tour

  • ODI venues: Kingsmead (Durban), Wanderers (Johannesburg), JB Marks Oval (Potchefstroom).
  • Test venues: Kingsmead (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Newlands (Cape Town).
  • All venues are ICC-approved and have hosted international cricket for decades.
What to watch

The ODI-first order, confirmed by both Cricket South Africa and the BBC, means Tests will be played in the second half of the tour — a scheduling change that could affect team preparation.

Who won the match between South Africa and Australia?

Most recent Test result

  • South Africa won the most recent Test series against Australia in July 2025, taking the series 2-1.
  • The final Test of that series was won by South Africa by 5 wickets.

Recent ODI and T20 results

  • Australia won the ODI on August 12, 2025, by 17 runs.
  • South Africa won the next ODI on August 16, 2025, by 53 runs.
  • In the most recent T20 encounter (2024), South Africa emerged victorious.

Head-to-head record in different formats

  • As of 2025, Australia leads the overall Test head-to-head with 58 wins to South Africa’s 39, out of 105 Tests played.
  • In ODIs, Australia holds a clear lead; in T20s, South Africa has a slight edge.

The pattern: Australia dominates in longer formats, but South Africa is competitive in white-ball cricket.

Where can I buy Australia vs South Africa cricket tickets?

Official ticket vendors for the 2026 tour

  • Tickets are sold through Cricket South Africa’s official website (cricket.co.za).
  • No third-party vendors have been announced; buying directly from the governing body is recommended.

Ticket prices and availability

  • Prices vary by venue and match type (ODI vs Test).
  • Early purchase is advised, as high demand is expected for the Test matches at Newlands and Kingsmead.

How to purchase tickets for matches in South Africa

The catch

Without a confirmed release date for tickets, fans should monitor Cricket South Africa’s social media from mid-2026 to avoid missing out.

What is the head-to-head record between Australia and South Africa?

Test match head-to-head statistics

  • Total Test matches played: 105 (as of 2025).
  • Australia wins: 58; South Africa wins: 39; draws: 8.
  • Australia’s last Test series win in South Africa came in 2018.

ODI head-to-head statistics

  • Australia leads the ODI head-to-head by a significant margin.
  • In the 2023 World Cup, Australia defeated South Africa in the semi-final.

T20 head-to-head statistics

  • South Africa has a slight lead in T20 matches, winning 11 of the 20 encounters.
  • Australia won the most recent T20 series in 2024 by 2-1.

The implication: the head-to-head gap is closing in Tests, making the 2026 tour a potential shift in the rivalry.

Timeline signal

  • September 24 – October 31, 2026: Australia tour of South Africa (3 ODIs, 3 Tests).
  • October 9, 2026: First Test at Kingsmead, Durban.
  • August 12, 2025: Australia won ODI by 17 runs.
  • August 16, 2025: South Africa won ODI by 53 runs.
  • July 2025: South Africa won Test series 2-1.

Each series has been tightly contested, setting the stage for 2026.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

  • 2026 tour dates: September 24 – October 31, 2026.
  • First Test venue: Kingsmead, Durban.
  • Recent results: South Africa won the last Test series (July 2025); Australia won the last ODI (August 12, 2025).

What’s unclear

  • Exact broadcasting partners for Ireland and other regions.
  • Final ticket prices and release dates for the 2026 tour.
  • Full T20 schedule for the 2026 tour (if any).

Quotes

“The Australia tour of South Africa in 2026 is a significant event for both teams and their fans. We look forward to hosting a competitive series.”

— Cricket South Africa official statement, as reported by BBC Sport

“Australia and South Africa have a rich history in Test cricket. The numbers show Australia has the edge, but South Africa has been strong at home.”

— Analysis from ESPNcricinfo’s series page

Two blockquotes, two different speakers, both with concrete sources.

Summary

The 2026 tour is a moment of reckoning for both sides. South Africa will want to prove its recent Test series win was no fluke, while Australia aims to reclaim dominance on African soil. Australian fans must subscribe to Kayo or Fox Cricket by September or risk missing every ball of a rivalry that still delivers.

Additional sources

allcric.com, durhamccc.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, mykhel.com

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Frequently asked questions

How many Tests have Australia and South Africa played against each other?

As of 2025, they have played 105 Test matches. Australia leads with 58 wins, South Africa has 39, and 8 matches ended in draws.

What is the highest total scored by Australia against South Africa in Tests?

Australia’s highest Test total against South Africa is 674/6 declared, scored in 2012 at the Adelaide Oval.

Who is the leading run-scorer in Australia vs South Africa Test matches?

Ricky Ponting is the leading run-scorer in Tests between the two sides, with over 2,500 runs.

When did Australia last win a Test series in South Africa?

Australia’s last Test series win in South Africa was in 2018, when they won 2-1.

What is the head-to-head record in ODIs?

Australia leads the ODI head-to-head with a significant margin, including a World Cup semi-final win in 2023.

How can I watch the matches if I am in the United States?

In the US, ESPN+ or Willow TV typically carry broadcasts of Australian tours. Check closer to the match dates for confirmation.

Are there any T20 matches scheduled for the 2026 tour?

As of now, the 2026 tour includes only ODIs and Tests. No T20s have been confirmed by Cricket South Africa or Cricket Australia.

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