GQEBERHA – Cricket South Africa has confirmed a busy 2026/27 home season, with eight Test matches scheduled across the country, alongside multiple ODI and T20 international fixtures.
According to AFP News, the programme marks a significant return to home red-ball cricket after South Africa did not host a single Test during the 2025/26 season.
World champions South Africa, who defeated Australia in the 2023-25 World Test Championship final at Lord’s, will host three Tests against Australia, two against Bangladesh and three against England. All eight matches form part of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle. The Proteas are currently third on the standings after sharing a 1-1 series in Pakistan and beating India 2-0 in India.
The Australian tour begins with ODIs in Durban (September 24), Johannesburg (September 27) and Potchefstroom (September 30), before the Test series moves to Durban (October 9-13), Gqeberha (October 18-22) and Cape Town (October 27-31). Bangladesh will play Tests in Johannesburg (November 15-19) and Centurion (November 23-27), followed by ODIs in East London (December 1), Gqeberha (December 4) and Cape Town (December 7), and three T20s in Kimberley, Benoni and Centurion.
England’s visit spans the festive period, with Tests in Johannesburg (December 17-21), Centurion (December 26-30) and Cape Town (January 3-7), followed by ODIs in Paarl (January 10) and Bloemfontein (January 13 and 15).
For Gqeberha, St George’s Park will host the second Test against Australia and the second ODI against Bangladesh.
Kariega school cricket coach Thabile Dyeli welcomed the fixtures. “We have one Test in October and one ODI in December. It’s always great to have international cricket in Gqeberha. I just wish we would get more than two games in one calendar year, but we are grateful for this as well. Gqeberha loves cricket and supports the national team a lot,” he said.
Dyeli added that the Bay’s support for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape during the Betway T20 competition demonstrates the city’s passion for the sport. “All the home games were sold out. There were even times where we couldn’t get seats owing to how packed the stadium was. As a cricket lover, it’s great to experience that kind of atmosphere,” he concluded.
