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The wait is finally over for cricket fans and the Barmy Army. The official dates for England’s 2026/2027 cricket tour of South Africa have been confirmed, promising a spectacular winter of world-class red-ball and white-ball cricket.
Trading the freezing UK winter for the glorious South African summer is a bucket-list tradition for traveling fans. This upcoming series will see England test their mettle against the Proteas across five of South Africa’s most iconic and atmospheric stadiums, from the high-altitude pace of the Highveld to the spectacular coastal beauty of the Western Cape.
For fans looking to plan their travel, flights, and accommodation, here is the confirmed match schedule for the upcoming series.
Match Order | Format | Host City | Stadium | Exact Dates |
1st Match | Test Match | Johannesburg | Wanderers Stadium | 17 Dec – 21 Dec 2026 |
2nd Match | Test Match | Centurion | Supersport Park | 26 Dec – 30 Dec 2026 |
3rd Match | Test Match | Cape Town | Newlands Cricket Ground | 3 Jan – 7 Jan 2027 |
4th Match | 1st ODI | Paarl | Boland Park | 10 Jan 2027 |
5th & 6th Match | 2nd ODI & 3rd ODI | Bloemfontein | Mangaung Oval | 13 Jan & 15 Jan 2027 |
Without a doubt, the focal point of the series for UK travellers is the 3rd Test in Cape Town.
Taking place from January 3rd to 7th, 2027, the New Year's Test at the Newlands Cricket Ground is universally regarded as one of the greatest sporting events on the calendar. Framed by the dramatic, cinematic backdrop of Table Mountain, it offers an unbeatable mix of fierce cricketing rivalry, brilliant sunshine, and world-renowned local hospitality.
However, because Cape Town is one of the world's premier New Year's Eve destinations, the "race" for accommodation, flights, and match tickets is notoriously intense now that the dates are public.
With the dates officially announced, the rush for tickets has begun. To guarantee you don't miss a single ball, Africa Travel has launched two exceptional Escorted VIP Packages built entirely around the Cape Town Test.
Forget the stress of online ticket ballots and sold-out hotels. Both of our £7,295.00 pp packages include:
Simply choose your luxury 5-star base:
Looking to explore further? We also offer Fully Bespoke Itineraries that allow you to combine the cricket matches in Paarl or Cape Town with a luxury Big 5 safari in the Kruger National Park.
Demand for the 2026/2027 series is already exceptionally high following the schedule announcement. Secure your premium tickets and flights before they sell out.
The highly anticipated 3rd Test match between South Africa and England at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town is officially scheduled to take place from January 3rd to January 7th, 2027.
The tour kicks off on December 17th, 2026, with the 1st Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test (Dec 26-30) at Supersport Park in Centurion, before moving to Cape Town.
Following the conclusion of the Test series, England and South Africa will compete in three ODIs. The first will be held in Paarl on January 12th, 2027, and the remaining two will be hosted in Bloemfontein on January 15th and 17th.
General admission tickets are highly contested now that dates are announced. The most secure way to guarantee your seat is to book a dedicated VIP tour package with Africa Travel, which includes guaranteed Executive Suite hospitality tickets, flights, and 5-star accommodation.
Yes. To remove the stress of booking peak-season holiday travel, our VIP Escorted packages include direct economy flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town flying with Virgin Atlantic.
Our VIP guests enjoy the absolute best seats in the house. The Executive Suite experience includes welcome drinks, snacks, a fully complimentary bar throughout the day, a gourmet buffet lunch, and traditional afternoon tea.
Absolutely. If you want to combine the Test matches or the Paarl ODI with a luxury wildlife safari in the Kruger National Park or a trip to Victoria Falls, Africa Travel’s experts can build a 100% tailor-made bespoke itinerary for you.
Yes. Booking your 2026/2027 South Africa cricket tour with Africa Travel provides complete peace of mind, as our UK packages are fully ATOL protected.
| For more information, why not speak to one of our experts on 020 7843 3500 or email info@africatravel.co.uk |
Africa Travel's Chris Wain has once again been named one of the world's top travel specialists by Conde Nast Traveler.
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