Australia vs South Africa 2026 Tour: Schedule, Tips & Odds

Jul 31, 2026

Australia's tour of South Africa is the biggest assignment of their 2026 away calendar — three ODIs then three Tests carrying World Test Championship points. Here's the full schedule, what each venue does to a touring side, and the betting angles.

Australia’s tour of South Africa is the biggest assignment of their 2026 away calendar — three ODIs followed by a three-Test series across September and October 2026, with the Tests counting towards the ICC World Test Championship. Below is the full schedule, what the conditions do to a touring side, and the betting angles for both formats.

🏏 Tour at a glance: 3 ODIs (24–30 Sep) then 3 Tests (9 Oct – 31 Oct) at Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town. WTC points on the line — and South Africa at home are a genuinely hard assignment.

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Australia v South Africa 2026 ODI schedule

Match	Date	Venue
1st ODI	Thursday 24 September 2026	Kingsmead, Durban
2nd ODI	Sunday 27 September 2026	The Wanderers, Johannesburg
3rd ODI	Wednesday 30 September 2026	JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Australia v South Africa 2026 Test schedule

Test	Dates	Venue
1st Test	9–13 October 2026	Kingsmead, Durban
2nd Test	18–22 October 2026	St George’s Park, Gqeberha
3rd Test	27–31 October 2026	Newlands, Cape Town

What makes South Africa a hard tour

This is the toughest away Test assignment in world cricket outside India, and the three venues could hardly be more different.

Kingsmead, Durban is coastal and humid, and it swings — overhead conditions can dominate a session and first-innings collapses are common. St George’s Park, Gqeberha is the slowest and lowest of the three and the one ground where spin genuinely comes into play. Newlands, Cape Town is the most seam-friendly, and its pitches have produced some remarkably short Tests in recent years.

The Wanderers, hosting the second ODI, sits at altitude in Johannesburg — the ball flies and it is the most batting-friendly white-ball venue on the tour.

Betting angles

Do not price this like a home series. Australia are formidable at home, but their away record in South Africa is a different question entirely. Series markets here are far closer than an Australian punter’s instinct suggests.

Venue-specific totals are the edge. With three grounds this distinct, blanket total-runs assumptions are the fastest way to lose money. Newlands and Durban favour bowlers; Gqeberha rewards patience; the Wanderers rewards batters.

Short-Test risk is real. Newlands in particular has produced Tests that finished inside three days. That matters for any market priced on the match going the distance.

WTC context shapes intent. Because these Tests carry World Test Championship points, neither side will be playing for a draw — which pushes toward results rather than stalemates. Compare markets at our best cricket betting sites.

How to watch in Australia

South Africa is eight hours behind AEST, so play starts in the Australian evening rather than overnight — a Test day beginning at 10:00am local is roughly 6:00pm AEST, and the ODIs land similarly. It is one of the better away tours for Australian viewers. Broadcast details are usually confirmed close to the first match.

Australia v South Africa FAQs

When do Australia tour South Africa in 2026?

Australia play three ODIs from 24 to 30 September 2026, then three Tests from 9 to 31 October 2026.

Where are the Tests played?

Kingsmead in Durban (9–13 October), St George’s Park in Gqeberha (18–22 October) and Newlands in Cape Town (27–31 October).

Do these Tests count for the World Test Championship?

Yes. The three-Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, so both sides are playing for points as well as the series.

What time is the cricket in Australia?

South Africa is eight hours behind AEST, so a 10:00am local start is around 6:00pm AEST — evening viewing rather than overnight.

Are Australia favourites in South Africa?

Less clearly than at home. South Africa are formidable in their own conditions and the three venues suit different skills, so series markets are closer than many Australian punters expect.