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South Africa vs England Cricket Timeline – 2025-26 Guide

Jack Harry Bennett Carter • 2026-05-24 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

South Africa vs England Cricket Timeline: 2025–2026

The cricket rivalry between South Africa and England continues to evolve with a packed schedule spanning 2025 and 2026. This timeline covers the recently completed South Africa tour of England in September 2025, the upcoming England tour of South Africa in December 2026, and key results from the most recent encounters.

Fans looking for the next clash between these two sides will have to wait until the end of 2026, but there is plenty to digest from the 2025 white-ball series. The tours mark a significant period for both teams as they build towards the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the confirmed fixtures, results, and what remains uncertain about future bilateral meetings.

When is the next South Africa vs England cricket match?

The next confirmed senior men’s bilateral match between South Africa and England is the 1st Test of England’s tour of South Africa, scheduled to begin on at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This marks the start of a multi-format tour that includes three Tests and three One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Current Series
South Africa in England 2025 (3 ODIs)
Next Match
1st Test, Dec 17 2026, Wanderers (Johannesburg)
Next Series
England in South Africa 2026 (3 Tests, 3 ODIs)
Last Result
SA won 2nd T20I by 146 runs (Sep 12, 2025)

Key insights about the upcoming matches

  • The 2025 series was strictly an ODI and T20I contest, with no Test matches.
  • England’s upcoming tour of South Africa in 2026/27 is a full Test and ODI series, a critical distinction for tour planners.
  • Recent matches in 2025 were closely contested, with both teams scoring over 300 runs in an innings.
  • The Barmy Army is already organising official travel for the 2026 tour, indicating high fan interest.

Snapshot of confirmed future fixtures

Series Format Dates Venues
South Africa in England 2025 3 ODIs September 2 – September 7, 2025 Headingley, Lord’s, Bristol
South Africa in England 2025 3 T20Is September 10 – September 14, 2025 Bristol, Cardiff, Taunton
England in South Africa 2026/27 3 Tests + 3 ODIs December 17, 2026 – January 15, 2027 Johannesburg, Centurion, Cape Town, Paarl, Bloemfontein

What are the match dates for England’s tour of South Africa 2026?

The England men’s cricket team is scheduled to tour South Africa from December 2026 through January 2027. The tour was originally planned to include three Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, but the T20I series has been removed from the schedule due to scheduling conflicts. Both boards are exploring a later rescheduling for the T20Is.

Test series fixtures

  • 1st Test: 17–21 December 2026, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
  • 2nd Test: 26–30 December 2026, SuperSport Park, Centurion (Boxing Day Test)
  • 3rd Test: 3–7 January 2027, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (New Year’s Test)

ODI series fixtures

  • 1st ODI: 10 January 2027, Boland Park, Paarl
  • 2nd ODI: 13 January 2027, Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein
  • 3rd ODI: 15 January 2027, Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein
Important scheduling note

The IT20 series has been removed from the 2026/27 tour. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa are reportedly working on a future window to reschedule these matches, but no official dates have been confirmed.

What was the result of the most recent England vs South Africa match?

The most recently completed bilateral matches between these teams took place in the 2025 South Africa tour of England. The white-ball series featured three ODIs and three T20Is in September 2025.

ODI series results

  • 1st ODI (2 September 2025, Headingley): South Africa won by 7 wickets. England 131 all out, South Africa 137/3.
  • 2nd ODI (4 September 2025, Lord’s): South Africa won by 5 runs. South Africa 330/8, England 325/9.
  • 3rd ODI (7 September 2025, Bristol): England won by 342 runs. England 414/5, South Africa 72 all out.

Series result: South Africa won 2–1.

T20I series results

  • 1st T20I (10 September 2025, Bristol): South Africa won (rain-shortened match). South Africa 97/5, England 54/5.
  • 2nd T20I (12 September 2025, Cardiff): England won by 146 runs. England 304/2, South Africa 158 all out.
  • 3rd T20I (14 September 2025, Taunton): Scheduled, but result not fully confirmed in available sources.

Based on the confirmed results, the T20I series was split 1–1 after the first two matches, with the result of the third match still unconfirmed.

Uncertain result

The result of the 3rd T20I on 14 September 2025 has not been officially confirmed. The match was listed as scheduled, but no final scoreline is available at this stage.

Where can I find the live scorecard for South Africa vs England today?

Live scorecards and ball-by-ball commentary for South Africa versus England matches are typically available on major cricket platforms. Official series pages on ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz provide real-time updates for all current and upcoming fixtures.

Broadcasters vary by region. Sky Sports holds the rights in the United Kingdom, while SuperSport broadcasts matches in South Africa.

Quick access tip

For the most reliable live coverage, bookmark the official event pages on ESPNcricinfo or Cricbuzz. These sites also provide detailed scorecards, player statistics, and match reports shortly after each day’s play.

Timeline of South Africa vs England cricket in 2025–2026

  1. 2 September 2025: 1st ODI, Headingley – South Africa won by 7 wickets
  2. 4 September 2025: 2nd ODI, Lord’s – South Africa won by 5 runs
  3. 7 September 2025: 3rd ODI, Bristol – England won by 342 runs
  4. 10 September 2025: 1st T20I, Bristol – South Africa won (rain-affected)
  5. 12 September 2025: 2nd T20I, Cardiff – England won by 146 runs
  6. 14 September 2025: 3rd T20I, Taunton – Result pending confirmation
  7. 17–21 December 2026: 1st Test, Johannesburg – Scheduled
  8. 26–30 December 2026: 2nd Test, Centurion – Scheduled
  9. 3–7 January 2027: 3rd Test, Cape Town – Scheduled
  10. 10–15 January 2027: ODI series (Paarl, Bloemfontein) – Scheduled

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about future fixtures?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
The 2025 South Africa tour of England was confirmed with 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. The final result of the 3rd T20I on 14 September 2025 is not fully confirmed.
The 2026 England tour of South Africa is confirmed for 3 Tests and 3 ODIs. Whether the T20I series will be rescheduled in the future remains uncertain.
South Africa won the ODI series 2–1 in 2025. No additional bilateral matches beyond the 2026/27 tour have been announced.

What is the context of this rivalry in 2025–2026?

This rivalry has historically produced high-scoring ODI matches. The 2025 series was critical for both teams in the context of the 2027 Cricket World Cup qualification cycle. The absence of Tests in 2025 focused attention on ODI form, where both sides demonstrated the ability to post and chase large totals.

The 2026 tour shifts to a multi-format battle, including the prestigious Test series. The venues — Wanderers, Centurion, and Newlands — are iconic grounds that have hosted many memorable encounters between these two nations.

Sources and official announcements

“The IT20 series has been removed from the schedule due to scheduling conflicts. Both boards are exploring a later rescheduling.”

— ECB official announcement

Key sources for this timeline include the official England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket South Africa, and the Wikipedia entry for the 2025 tour. The Barmy Army has also published travel information for the 2026/27 tour.

What happens next in this cricket rivalry?

After the 2025 ODI and T20I series, attention shifts entirely to the 2026 tour of South Africa. Fans should monitor official board announcements for any updates regarding the rescheduling of the T20I series and ticket sales. India vs England matches are also scheduled in the same period, which may influence player availability.

For a broader look at upcoming matches, you may also want to see the Here’s a researched timeline of South Africa vs England cricket in 2025–2026.

Frequently asked questions

How many matches are in the South Africa vs England 2025 series?

Three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Will there be a Test series in 2025?

No. The 2025 series is limited to white-ball formats only.

Where can I watch South Africa vs England live?

Broadcasters vary by region. Check Sky Sports (UK) and SuperSport (SA) for coverage.

What is the head-to-head record in ODIs?

England holds a narrow lead over South Africa in overall ODI wins, but recent matches have been closely fought.

When is England’s next tour to South Africa?

December 2026 through January 2027, featuring three Tests and three ODIs.

Will there be a T20 series during the 2026 tour?

The T20I series was removed from the schedule. Both boards are exploring a future rescheduling.

What was the biggest win in the 2025 ODI series?

England won the 3rd ODI by 342 runs, the largest margin of the series.

Can I buy tickets for the 2026 Test series now?

Ticket sales are not yet widely announced. Monitor official board websites for updates.


Jack Harry Bennett Carter

About the author

Jack Harry Bennett Carter

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.