New Year’s Test returns to Newlands CSA summer schedule

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has revealed the Proteas men’s international fixtures for the 2026/27 home season, with Test cricket and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) headlining a busy summer against Australia, Bangladesh and England.

First up is a multi-format tour against Australia, beginning with a three-match ODI series from 24 to 30 September.

Pink Day fixture

Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium will host the series opener on 24 September before the teams head inland for the annual Pink Day fixture at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 27 September. The series concludes at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 30 September.

The reigning ICC World Test Champions (WTC) will then continue their WTC title defence in a three-match Test series against Australia from 9 to 31 October.

Both teams return to Durban for the first Test from 9 to 13 October, with the series continuing along the coast at St George’s Park in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October.

A trip to Cape Town then follows, with the third and final Test of the series to be played at Newlands Cricket Ground, starting on 27 October.

All-format tour

The Proteas will then welcome Bangladesh for an all-format tour. The Test side will first take centre stage in a two-match series on the Highveld, with the first Test at the Wanderers Stadium from 15 to 19 November, followed by the second Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 23 to 27 November.

The white-ball leg of the tour begins four days later with a three-match ODI series from 1 to 7 December, giving fans in East London, Gqeberha and Cape Town the opportunity to see the Proteas in action.

The T20 International (T20I) series will then be staged across Kimberley, Benoni and Centurion from 10 to 13 December.

Kimberley Oval remains an ICC-accredited venue. The earlier relocation of the Proteas Women’s fixture allowed for necessary maintenance and repairs, which will be completed ahead of the return of the international men’s fixtures.

Reaches its peak

The international summer then reaches its peak with a three-match Test series against England.

The first Test gets underway on 17 December at the Wanderers Stadium, before the traditional Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park and the iconic New Year’s Test at Newlands Cricket Ground.

The season concludes with a three-match ODI series against England, beginning at Boland Park in Paarl on 10 January, with Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein hosting the remaining two ODIs on 12 and 15 January to end an exciting summer of cricket in South Africa.

The T20I series against England has been removed from this season’s calendar due to scheduling conflicts, and both parties are exploring opportunities to reschedule it at a later date.

‘Vibrant and competitive summer’

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming three strong cricketing nations in Australia, Bangladesh and England. These tours will undoubtedly draw fans from across the country to our stadiums. We anticipate a vibrant and competitive summer that celebrates the very best of international cricket in South Africa.

“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.”

FIXTURES

ODI Series against Australia

1st ODI – Thursday, 24 September – 10:00

South Africa vs Australia – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

2nd ODI – Sunday, 27 September – 10:00

South Africa vs Australia – Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

3rd ODI – Wednesday, 30 September – 13:30

South Africa vs Australia – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Test Series against Australia

1st Test – Friday, 9 – Tuesday, 13 October – 09:30

South Africa vs Australia – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

2nd Test – Sunday, 18 – Thursday, 22 October – 10:00

South Africa vs Australia – St George’s Park, Gqeberha

3rd Test – Tuesday, 27 – Saturday, 31 October – 10:00

South Africa vs Australia – Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

Test Series against Bangladesh

1st Test – Sunday, 15 – Thursday, 19 November – 10:00

South Africa vs Bangladesh – Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

2nd Test – Monday, 23 – Friday, 27 November – 10:00 

South Africa vs Bangladesh – SuperSport Park, Centurion