South Africa are officially the best Test cricket side in the world after their five-wicket win over Australia on Saturday, 14 June 2025, in the World Test Championship WTC final at Lords.
The nation rejoiced in a victory that was nearly 3o years in the making. Tournament after tournament of heartbreak later, the Proteas finally delivered meaningful silverware to the cabinet.
So, when will South Africans get to watch the world champions play the format in front of them again? October 2026 is the answer. Thats right - only then.
Eighteen months on from their historic victory is when they will play in a Test at home. The opponents will be Australia, in a three-match series.
The next time the Proteas run out in white clothes and bowl with a red ball in front of a home crowd, their crowning moment will be a distant memory. South Africa will host eight Test matches in the summer of 2026-27 - two matches against Bangladesh sandwiched in between three-match series against Australia and England.
And this summer of 2025-26? Zero. For the first time since readmission, South Africa will not host any Test matches over the course of their summer season. In fact, the Proteas will only host five matches all summer, and theyre all in the shortest format: West Indies touring the country for five T20Is in January and February 2026.