Historic October Cape Town Test Headlines South Africa’s Packed 2026-27 Home Summer

The highlight of the summer is the October 27 to 31 Test against Australia at Newlands, marking the earliest men’s Test ever staged at the iconic Cape Town venue. The fixture concludes a three-match series, following Tests in Durban from October 9 to 13 and Gqeberha from October 18 to 22.

This will be Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since 2018, a series remembered for controversy and a 3-1 win for the hosts. A planned tour during the COVID-19 pandemic was cancelled, making this return significant. However, scheduling a Test in October brings weather concerns, as Cape Town’s rainy season has recently stretched later into the year.

The tour begins with a three-match ODI series from September 24 to 30 in Durban, Johannesburg, and Potchefstroom.

Bangladesh and England Follow

Bangladesh will arrive in November for an all-format tour. The two Tests are set for the Wanderers from November 15 to 19 and Centurion from November 23 to 27. Three ODIs will run from December 1 to 7, followed by T20Is between December 10 and 13.

England then headline the festive season with a three-Test series beginning December 17 at the Wanderers. The Boxing Day Test returns to Centurion, while the New Year’s Test will be played at Newlands. The campaign ends with a three-match ODI series against England from January 10 to 15.

WTC and World Cup Focus

Eight home Tests will form the core of South Africa’s World Test Championship campaign, with an away tour to Sri Lanka scheduled for February 2027. On the white-ball front, preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup remains central.

CSA chief executive 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 we must 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."