Last Updated on 13 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
After a summer with no home Tests in 2025/26, South Africa are set for a blockbuster schedule starting with Australia at Durban on October 9. It is a series over eight years in the making, with plenty of attention expected towards the visitors.
The Proteas will then host Bangladesh for two Tests in November, followed by three Tests against England across December and January.
The schedule is a welcome sight for Test cricket lovers in the Rainbow nation. South Africa have played just four Tests in total since winning the World Test Championship Final in June 2025, drawing 1-1 in Pakistan and beating India 2-0 in their own backyard.
Gary Kirsten calls for more nations to play more Test cricket
Gary Kirsten, former South Africa batsman and current Sri Lanka coach, has called for more nations to play more Test cricket. As of October 4, Kirsten has coached Sri Lanka in four Tests, and he is relishing the opportunity for more.
“I’ve been with the Sri Lankan team for four Tests. And it’s great to be back in Test cricket. I mean, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” Kirsten told CricBlog.
“It’s really important for the game that your Sri Lankas, your West Indies, your Pakistans, your South Africas, your New Zealanders are playing more Test cricket. It is really, really important for the game.”
In the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, England (16), West Indies (12), India (11) and Australia (10) have played the most matches. South Africa will play their fifth when the series kicks off against the Australians.
The 58-year-old hopes the Proteas will play more series of three or more matches in the future, while acknowledging the financial challenges behind the format.
“I’m a big believer in that, you can’t only have England, Australia playing lots of Test cricket,” Kirsten said.
“I grew up on Test cricket. I grew up on five Test match series’, you know, and I can’t remember when last South Africa played a three Test match series; mainly two test matches, maybe a three somewhere I can’t think of think of where.
“We’ve got six Tests as Sri Lanka coming up now up until February, which is great. So, the more Test cricket the better. I know economically there are challenges behind it, but I think it’s important that all the countries are playing a fair amount of it.”
Australia’s tour of South Africa is their first since the infamous 2018 series. The Proteas’ ODI dominance – plus WTC Final victory last year – sets the series up nicely.
