South Africa vs Australia 2026 Test Preview: Squads & Schedule
South Africa and Australia will renew their Test rivalry in October 2026, with the three-match series forming part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
The contest carries added significance because the two teams met in the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, where South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets to claim the title.
This time, Australia will travel to South Africa for three Tests, with matches scheduled in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town. Both sides have strong pace resources, while several established batters will be expected to play important roles across conditions that can vary significantly from one venue to another.
With the series beginning on 9 October, here is everything you need to know about the schedule, venues and squads.
How Many Test Matches Will Be Played?
The 2026 South Africa vs Australia series consists of three Test matches. The games are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, making the results important to both teams’ campaigns for a place in the 2027 WTC Final.
A three-Test series leaves relatively little room for recovery after a poor result. Each match can therefore have a major influence on the overall series and the teams’ position in the WTC standings.
South Africa enter the contest as the reigning World Test champions, while Australia will be looking to respond after losing the 2025 final. The combination of home conditions, high-quality pace attacks and WTC points should make for a closely contested series.
When Will The Test Matches Be Played?
The three Tests will be played during October 2026. The schedule confirmed by Cricket South Africa is:
1st Test: 9–13 October 2026
2nd Test: 18–22 October 2026
3rd Test: 27–31 October 2026
The opening Test begins on Friday, 9 October in Durban, followed by the second Test in Gqeberha from 18 October. The series concludes in Cape Town from 27 October.
The gaps between the Tests give both teams time to recover and adjust their bowling combinations. They will also have to consider workload management, particularly among their fast bowlers, as the series progresses.
Where Will The Test Matches Be Played?
All three Tests will be played in South Africa, with the series moving between the east coast and Cape Town.
The venues are:
1st Test: Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban — 9–13 October 2026
2nd Test: Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha — 18–22 October 2026
3rd Test: World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town — 27–31 October 2026
Cricket South Africa has confirmed the three venues and dates. The first Test starts at 09:30 local time in Durban, the second at 10:00 in Gqeberha, and the third at 10:00 in Cape Town.
Kingsmead can provide assistance for pace and movement, while St George’s Park and Newlands present their own challenges as conditions change through a Test match. Those differences could influence team selection, particularly when captains decide whether to use an additional seamer or spinner.
What Are The Test Match Squads?
South Africa have announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the first Test. Australia have named a 16-player squad for the three-Test series. Final playing XIs can still change because of fitness, form and pitch conditions.
South Africa Test Squad
Temba Bavuma (captain)
Marques Ackerman
David Bedingham
Corbin Bosch
Gerald Coetzee
Tony de Zorzi
Simon Harmer
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Aiden Markram
Wiaan Mulder
Senuran Muthusamy
Anrich Nortje
Dane Paterson
Kagiso Rabada
Ryan Rickelton
Tristan Stubbs
Kyle Verreynne
This is South Africa’s preliminary 18-player squad for the first Test. Marques Ackerman is the only uncapped player in the group and earned his first Test call-up after an impressive run for South Africa A.
Kagiso Rabada has been included while recovering from a right hamstring injury. Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman were not considered because of their respective injury rehabilitation programmes. Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje and Dane Paterson return to the Test setup.
The squad gives Temba Bavuma several options in both the batting and bowling departments. Marco Jansen, Rabada, Nortje, Coetzee and Paterson provide seam-bowling options, while Maharaj, Harmer and Muthusamy offer spin and all-round flexibility.
Australia Test Squad
Pat Cummins (captain)
Scott Boland
Alex Carey
Cooper Connolly
Cameron Green
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Josh Inglis
Matthew Kuhnemann
Marnus Labuschagne
Nathan Lyon
Michael Neser
Matthew Renshaw
Steve Smith
Mitchell Starc
Beau Webster
Australia’s 16-player squad includes experienced Test players alongside several players competing for positions in the batting and all-rounder groups.
Marnus Labuschagne retained his place despite a prolonged run without a Test century, while Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser were added to the group that featured in Australia’s recent Test against Bangladesh.
The squad contains an imposing collection of fast bowlers in Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Boland, with Lyon and Kuhnemann providing specialist spin options. Cameron Green and Beau Webster add further all-round depth.
Who Are Favourites To Win The Test?
Australia arrive with an experienced bowling attack featuring Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, as well as Lyon’s extensive Test record. South Africa, however, have home advantage and enter the series as the reigning World Test champions after beating Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship Final.
The balance of the series could therefore depend heavily on conditions at each venue, the fitness of key fast bowlers and the performance of the middle orders.
Bet on South Africa vs Australia at Bet442
Bet442 offers several cricket betting markets for fans following South Africa vs Australia. Markets typically include match winner, top batter and bowler, player performance brackets, and totals, with prices updating as team news and conditions become known.
In-play options are available during the match on selected events, so you can respond to the ebb and flow while following the live action.
If you choose to bet on the series, check the available markets, current prices and terms carefully before placing a wager. Fixtures, squads and playing XIs can change, so it is sensible to check the latest information before making any decision.
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