Australia vs South Africa ODI Series 2026: Schedule, Squads, Results & Match Coverage

Australia and South Africa meet in a three-match ODI series in South Africa from September 24 to 30, 2026.
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Australia and South Africa meet in a three-match ODI series as both sides step up their preparations for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027.

The series takes place across three South African venues, beginning at Kingsmead in Durban on September 24 before moving to Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.

Australia enter the series after their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, while South Africa come into the contest after their recent white-ball fixtures and a number of major players returning to the ODI squad.

Series at a glance:
Three ODIs • September 24–30, 2026 • South Africa host Australia • Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.

Australia vs South Africa ODI Series 2026 Schedule

1st ODI

South Africa vs Australia

Date: September 24, 2026

Kingsmead, Durban

Format: ODI

Series Opener
2nd ODI

South Africa vs Australia

Date: September 27, 2026

The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Format: ODI

Upcoming
3rd ODI

South Africa vs Australia

Date: September 30, 2026

NWC Oval, Potchefstroom

Format: ODI

Upcoming

The three-match schedule was confirmed by the ICC and Cricket Australia, with the opening ODI in Durban followed by Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.

Why This ODI Series Matters

This is more than a three-match bilateral series. Both Australia and South Africa are preparing for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

For Australia, the South Africa leg forms part of a six-match ODI stretch against Zimbabwe and South Africa designed to give the squad important 50-over preparation ahead of next year's World Cup.

South Africa, meanwhile, have brought several experienced players back into their ODI setup for the series, including Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, David Miller and Quinton de Kock.

World Cup preparation:
With the 2027 World Cup being staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, these ODIs give both teams valuable exposure in conditions similar to next year's tournament.

South Africa ODI Squad

🇿🇦 South Africa

Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs.

Squad Updates

Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi were ruled out of the ODI series through injuries. Duan Jansen replaced Baartman, while Nqobani Mokoena was brought in for Ngidi.

Australia ODI Squad

🇦🇺 Australia

Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa.

Key Returns

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head return to the ODI setup, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are part of Australia's squad for the South Africa portion of the tour.

Players and Storylines to Watch

Mitchell Marsh

Marsh is back in Australia's ODI side and is set to lead the team during the South Africa series, adding experience to Australia's World Cup preparation.

Travis Head

Head returns to the ODI squad and gives Australia another major top-order option as they build towards the 2027 World Cup.

Temba Bavuma

Bavuma returns to lead South Africa in the ODI format after last featuring in the side during the December 2025 series against India.

South Africa's Pace Options

Injuries have affected South Africa's fast-bowling group, with Rabada, Baartman and Ngidi unavailable for the ODI series.

Australia vs South Africa ODI Series: Match Coverage

Match pages will be updated as each ODI is completed, with full scorecards, standout performances and key moments from the series.

What Comes After the ODI Series?

The rivalry continues immediately after the ODIs, with Australia and South Africa scheduled to meet in a three-match ICC World Test Championship series in October.

The first Test is scheduled for October 9–13 in Durban, followed by Tests in Gqeberha and Johannesburg.

Coming next:
South Africa and Australia will move from the three-match ODI series into a three-match World Test Championship series beginning October 9.