New Delhi, Feb 23 (NationPress) Australia is set to embark on a significant tour of South Africa for a historic three-Test series in 2026-27. This will be their first red-ball excursion to the nation since the notorious 2018 ball-tampering scandal that erupted in Cape Town.

Cricket South Africa has announced its international schedule for the 2026-27 season, highlighting a prominent series between the two latest World Test Championship victors. The series will conclude at Newlands in Cape Town, the very location where the 2018 controversy sparked one of the most tumultuous episodes in the history of Australian cricket.

The tour will kick off with a three-match ODI series commencing in September, with games planned for Durban, Johannesburg, and Potchefstroom. Following the ODIs, Australia will shift their attention to the Test matches, which are set to occur in Durban, Gqeberha, and Cape Town. A preparatory match in Potchefstroom is also included in the schedule. Additionally, Australia is anticipated to engage in limited-overs matches in neighboring Zimbabwe before entering South Africa.

Several players from the current Australian team, including skipper Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood, were part of the 2018 squad. While some have made their way back to Cape Town for white-ball matches, a comprehensive Test tour has not taken place in the eight years following that contentious series.

David Warner, who, along with Smith, faced a 12-month ban due to his involvement in the 2018 incident, has since concluded his international career, as have former Test captain Tim Paine and opener Usman Khawaja. Cameron Bancroft, who endured a nine-month suspension, is unlikely to participate.

For South Africa, this series represents a renewed dedication to hosting Test matches after a limited home schedule in recent years caused by financial constraints and the increasing prominence of the SA20 league during the peak summer period. The Proteas have not hosted a home Test since January 2025, but they are slated to welcome Bangladesh and England during the upcoming summer.

This series against Australia could play a crucial role in determining the next World Test Championship final. Currently, Australia tops the standings with only one loss in eight matches, yet they face challenging away series in South Africa and India, along with a four-Test home series against New Zealand.

Before venturing to Africa, Australia is set to host Bangladesh in northern Australia in August, rounding off a busy calendar that will test their squad depth across formats.

ODI Series:

First ODI: September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (D/N)

Warmup Match:

October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Test Series:

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Second Test: October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town