Proteas v Australia 2026: Test Series Dates and Where to Follow It
South Africa and Australia, the two sides of the last World Test Championship final, play a three-Test series in October 2026. The first Test in Durban is scheduled for 9 to 13 October, the second in Gqeberha for 18 to 22 October.
On this page
The three Tests
Dates and cities as the International Cricket Council (ICC) gives them. The series counts towards the World Test Championship 2025-27.
| Test | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Cape Town or Johannesburg (see below) |
Why this series matters
When the ICC announced the schedule in February 2026, it wrote that "the two teams that squared off in the last World Test Championship Final, South Africa and Australia, will lock horns in a three-Test series". South Africa won that final at Lord's, beating Australia by five wickets.
On 1 October 2026 the ICC added that "Australia currently lead the standings, with reigning champions South Africa in second place", and that both sides are pursuing a place in the next final at The Oval.
The ICC's articles disagree on the third Test. The February schedule and the squad article of 28 September put it at Newlands in Cape Town; the article of 1 October lists it in Johannesburg. Check the venue on the ICC's or Cricket South Africa's own pages closer to 27 October.
Squads
South Africa named an 18-player preliminary squad for the first Test on 28 September 2026, captained by Temba Bavuma and including Kagiso Rabada. The ICC reported Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman as missing through injury.
For Australia, the ICC reported on 1 October that Josh Inglis was ruled out with a fractured right index finger, with Sam Harper and Nic Maddinson called up as cover. Squads can change between Tests, so the line-up for Gqeberha may differ.
Where to follow it
Scores, squads and match reports appear on the ICC's site, icc-cricket.com, and on Cricket South Africa's own site.
If you bet on the series, our betting page compares the bookmakers we cover and shows where each one is licensed. A Test can last five days and end in a draw, so read your bookmaker's rules on how the market you choose is settled before you bet. Our odds converter turns fractional odds into decimals and the chance they imply.
Keep a long series a game
Five days of play means many markets, every session. Set a limit for the whole series before the first ball, never bet money you need for anything else, and do not chase a loss from one day into the next.
Betting is for adults 18 and over. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation helpline 0800 006 008 is free; our responsible gambling page lists other ways to get help and to set limits.
Sources
- ICC, 23 February 2026. “South Africa unveil schedule for key WTC series”, icc-cricket.com/news/south-africa-unveil-schedule-for-key-wtc-series: the three Tests with dates and venues, the WTC final at Lord's.
- ICC, 1 October 2026. “Australia make squad changes ahead of first Proteas Test”, icc-cricket.com/news/australia-make-squad-changes-ahead-of-first-proteas-test: the series schedule, the standings, Australia's squad.
- ICC, 28 September 2026. “South Africa name preliminary squad for first Australia Test”, icc-cricket.com/news/south-africa-name-preliminary-squad-for-first-australia-test: the 18-player squad and the series schedule.