The Australian men's cricket team is preparing for an exciting tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe in September and October 2026. This tour is particularly noteworthy as it marks Australia's first meeting with South Africa in Test matches since the latter's victory in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final, where they triumphed over Australia by five wickets.
The tour will kick off with a series of One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe. Australia is set to play three ODIs in Harare, commencing on September 15, 2026. These matches are crucial not only for the teams involved but also for the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League standings, where every point counts towards qualification for future tournaments.
Following the ODIs against Zimbabwe, Australia will face South Africa in another three ODIs. The first of these matches is scheduled for September 24, 2026, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, with subsequent matches taking place at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and NWC Oval in Potchefstroom on September 27 and September 30, respectively. This series will serve as a vital preparation for both teams as they look to solidify their positions in international cricket.
After the ODI series, the focus will shift to the Test format, where Australia and South Africa will engage in a highly anticipated three-match Test series. The first Test is set to take place from October 9 to 13, 2026, also at Kingsmead Stadium. The following matches will be held at St. George's Park in Gqeberha from October 18 to 22, and at Newlands in Cape Town from October 27 to 31. This Test series is expected to be intense, given the historical rivalry and the emotional backdrop stemming from past encounters.
This tour is particularly significant for Australia as it represents their first Test series in South Africa since the infamous ‘sandpaper gate’ incident in 2018, which has added an extra layer of intensity to the matches. Both teams will be eager to assert their dominance, making for a thrilling contest that fans will not want to miss.
The Australian squad for the ODIs against Zimbabwe has been announced, featuring players such as Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, among others. However, the squad for the Test series against South Africa has yet to be revealed. The anticipation surrounding the selection adds to the excitement as fans speculate on which players will be chosen to represent Australia in this crucial series.
All matches during this tour will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Cricket, with streaming options available through Kayo Sports. However, there will be no free-to-air coverage for this series, meaning fans will need to rely on subscription services to catch all the action.
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