South Africa announce schedule for bumper men's home summer

South Africa are the reigning World Test champions ©Getty

South Africa will host Australia for a multi-format tour in the upcoming season, the fixtures for which were announced on Monday (February 23). Bangladesh and England are also due to visit in a busy 2026-27 home season.

The three-match ODI series against Australia will be played between September 24 - 30, starting at the Kingsmead Stadium. The reigning ICC World Test Champions will then continue their title defence in a three-match Test series starting October 9 in Durban. Gqeberha (October 18-22) and Newlands (October 27-31) will host the remaining two games respectively.

Bangladesh will visit next for yet another multi-format tour starting with a two-match Test series. The series opener will be at the Wanderers Stadium from November 15 - 19 while Centurion will host the second game, from November 23 - 27. The white-ball leg of the tour begins four days later with a three-match ODI series between December 1-7 in East London, Gqeberha and Cape Town respectively. The three T20Is - in Kimberley, Benoni and Centurion - will be held between December 10-13.

Next up is a three-match Test series against England that gets underway on December 17 at the Wanderers Stadium. This will be followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park and the New Year's Test at Newlands Cricket Ground.

South Africa's home season will conclude with a three-match ODI series against England, beginning on January 10. However, scheduling conflicts forced the rescheduling of the T20I series against England to a "later date".

"We are really looking forward to welcoming three strong cricketing nations in Australia, Bangladesh and England," CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki said.

"Next season carries significant importance for both our Test and ODI teams. We have made a promising start to the new World Test Championship cycle, including a hard-fought 1-1 series draw against Pakistan and an impressive 2-0 victory over India, and it is important that we continue to build on that momentum and strengthen our position on the WTC table.

"On the white-ball front, our focus remains firmly on building towards hosting the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027. Every ODI series from here forms part of our preparation for that global event, not only as proud hosts, but as a team determined to compete strongly on home soil."

Australia's tour of South Africa:

1st ODI - Sep 24, Durban

2nd ODI - Sep 27, Johannesburg

3rd ODI - Sep 30, Potchefstroom

1st Test - Oct 9-13, Durban

2nd Test - Oct 18-22, Gqeberha

3rd Test - Oct 27-31, Cape Town

Bangladesh's tour of South Africa:

1st Test - Nov 15-19, Johannesburg

2nd Test - Nov 23-27, Centurion

1st ODI - Dec 1, East London

2nd ODI - Dec 4, Gqeberha