Centurion: World champions South Africa will play eight Test matches at home in the 2026-27 season, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Monday.
South Africa, who defeated Australia in the 2023-25 Test Championship final at Lord's in England last year, have not played a single home Test match during the ongoing 2025-26 season.
But they will play three Tests against Australia, two against Bangladesh and three against England in the upcoming season and all three series will count towards the 2025-27 World Test Championship.
South Africa are currently placed third in the table after leveling the series 1-1 in Pakistan and defeating India 2-0 in India.
All Tests against Australia will be held in coastal venues – Durban, Gkebarha and Cape Town, starting from October 3.
The Bangladesh series will be played in Johannesburg and Centurion during November, while England will be the guests during the December-January holidays. England's Tests will be held in Johannesburg, Centurion and Cape Town.
The three tours will also include a three-match ODI series, while Bangladesh will also play three T20 Internationals.
England were also scheduled to play a T20 series, but this would be rescheduled due to a clash with the SA20 franchise competition.
CSA chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said both the Test and ODI series were particularly important for the South African team.
“We have had a promising start to the new World Test Championship cycle and it is important that we continue that momentum and strengthen our position in the WTC table.
“On the white-ball front, our focus remains firmly towards hosting the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027. Each ODI series from here on out is part of our preparation for that global event.”
South Africa home matches (2026–27):
Australia in South Africa:
24 September: 1st ODI, Durban
27 September: 2nd ODI, Johannesburg
30 September: 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom
9–13 October: 1st Test, Durban
October 18–22: 2nd Test, Gqebarha
27–31 October: 3rd Test, Cape Town
Bangladesh in South Africa:
15–19 November: 1st Test, Johannesburg
23–27 November: Second Test, Centurion
1 December: 1st ODI, East London
4 December: 2nd ODI, Gaqebarha
7 December: 3rd ODI, Cape Town
10 December: 1st T20, Kimberley
12 December: 2nd T20, Benoni
13 December: 3rd T20, Centurion
England in South Africa:
17–21 December: 1st Test, Johannesburg
26–30 December: Second Test, Centurion
3-7 January: 3rd Test, Cape Town
10 January: 1st ODI, Paarl
January 13: 2nd ODI, Bloemfontein
15 January: 3rd ODI, Bloemfontein.
Published in Dawn, February 24, 2026