Proteas' focus shifts focus to white-ball format with next Test a distant dream for fans
White-ball cricket and the 2027 ICC World Cup on home soil are Proteas' new focus.
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 Lord's.
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. That's 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 they're all in the shortest format: West Indies touring the country for five T20Is in January and February 2026.
All about the white ball next
South Africa's next few months are littered with white-ball cricket as they look to build for the one-day international (ODI) ICC World Cup at home, staged in 2027.
South Africa head to Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series — which doesn't count for the next WTC cycle — before a tri-series T20I tournament in the country, which includes New Zealand.
They then travel to Australia and England in August and September for three ODIs and three T20Is in each country. After that they fly over to the subcontinent through the early summer months to take on Pakistan and India, which will each host two Test matches and three ODIs before Pakistan host three T20Is and India host five.
With the national team's home summer so sparse, the fourth season of the SA20 will start a few weeks earlier than usual, on Boxing Day, to ensure some cricket content in the period so often associated with Test cricket in the country. It's somewhat ironic that the SA20 is filling this space, and it paints a picture of the changing landscape of the sport.
The Proteas' WTC charge was almost derailed because of the first-choice players' contractual obligation to play in the SA20 at the start of 2024, instead of touring New Zealand for a two-match series.
Not only did it put South Africa in a position where they had to win seven of their last eight matches to qualify for the final, which they did, it also helped the Black Caps beat the Proteas in a Test series for the first time in the sport's history.
Although it looks like a steady overhaul of the shortest format in favour of the longest one, those who still play the red-ball game want to see it maintain its relevance.
'Favourite format'
'It's always been my most important and favourite format,' said Aiden Markram, the WTC final's player of the match.
'Naturally, playing fewer games is not really on us — it's just the cards that get dealt. But it's really important, in my opinion, to keep Test cricket as the number one priority in South Africa.
'We understand all the dynamics that are happening in the cricket world and that's completely fair, but it's more about the young guy coming through — that his main thing is to get a Test match baggy and play Test match cricket for South Africa.
'If we can still do that, it's fine. How long they play for is a different conversation in the world of cricket nowadays.
'But the number one priority should always be to play Test cricket and I've always felt that, believed that. If we can get that back with the younger people coming through, I think we've done well.'
South Africa's Test tour to Zimbabwe is littered with talented youngsters. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (19) and Dewald Brevis (22) have lit up T20 tournaments in the past, and they are the two standout young names who are expected to make their debut in South Africa's first match as champions.
World Cup in South Africa
There was some criticism of the strength of the opposition South Africa faced on their road to the WTC final, as they didn't meet Australia or England prior to the final. Even though England only won half of their WTC fixtures, their reputation as being among the 'Big Three' somehow invalidated South Africa's charge.
This time round, in the 2025-27 cycle, South Africa will play England and Australia at home as well as playing India away.
'We play whatever's put in front of us,' Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said. 'There's a lot of things we'd like but we can't get. We just play the cards we're dealt. And it's often not what you've been dealt, but how you play those cards.'
ICC World Cup
With the influx of white-ball cricket, though, the focus does shift to succeeding at the 2027 ICC World Cup on home soil. So much of South Africa's planning over the past few years has been about winning the tournament, including the hiring of director of national teams and high performance Enoch Nkwe, whose contract runs until the end of it.
This WTC win, though warmly welcomed, wasn't part of the long-term planning like the 2027 ICC World Cup is. Conrad has taken over the white-ball sides too, and players such as superstar Kagiso Rabada have had their appetite for success whetted with the victory at Lord's.
'This has obviously given us confidence that we can do it again,' Rabada said. 'I don't know how I would be feeling if the result went the other way around, but let's not think too much about that.
'This gives confidence for the future, and confidence comes from doing good things.'
South Africa will hope that the WTC win will inspire Rabada and company to go on and break the nation's World Cup duck as well in 2027, with everything being set up for them to succeed at home. DM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Proteas Women coach Mandla Mashimbiyi kicks of tenure with a bang
Just his second tour in charge of the Proteas Women and coach Mandla Mashimbiyi is looking like he's shaping up some future World Cup holders. The Proteas Women defeated the West Indies by 50 runs in the first of three T20 matches on Friday night, where Tazmin Brits (98 not out) did most of the heavy lifting with the bat. All rounder Nadine de Klerk said Mashimbiyi has instilled a decent amount of positive intent in the ladies, especially in the attitudes towards which they approach the game. Brits was the only Proteas to put up a score on Friday night, contributing more than half to the Proteas 183 runs which they set. Throughout this series, since the first ODI match in Barbados, the Proteas have batted first as conditions in the Caribbean favour the bowlers. But the green and gold showed that statistics and analysis only count for a meagre amount when it comes to the game of cricket, which is why it is played on the field and not on paper. But the statistics under Mashimbiyi look good so far, in his first West Indies's T20 series outing as coach. 'We just had the one T20 training session before the game, it was a pretty tight schedule but we did a lot of stuff in training. I know there weren't a lot of batters that scored runs but everyone went out there and tried to go for it," said De Klerk. 'I think the positive intent we are batting with is really good to see. Even in the ODI's, we reached 300 runs in six out of our 12 innings and made 180 today (on Friday). "I think him really promoting positivity, taking the game on and not being scared to fail is really paying off for us as a side." De Klerk said Brits' innings of 98 not out was one of the best innings she has seen in women's cricket, taking the West Indies on despite the lack of support from the other end. Mashimbiyi's 'bomb squad', made up of Annerie Dercksen, De Klerk and Chloe Tryon did not make any real contributions on Friday night besides De Klerk's 21 off 17 balls. Experience has counted when it matters for the Proteas Women, with Brits and Marizanne Kapp having a consistent series so far. Kapp has been instrumental with the ball since joining the squad at the beginning of the tour, snatching 2/27 from three overs on Friday night. 'In the ideal world, we would like everybody to contribute. Taz scored 70% of our runs today (Friday night) but I think we know what we have in our team and sometimes its different people raising their hands up every single game. "In the ODI's, we had a few different girls putting in some performances as well. But hopefully we just take a lot of confidence out of this win,' De Klerk said.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns to showcase Brazilian flair against Borussia Dortmund at Club World Cup
The vibrant colours of the Mamelodi Sundowns kit evoke strong connections to Brazil. Photo: AFP Image: AFP The vibrant colours of Mamelodi Sundowns' kit evoke strong connections to South America's most celebrated footballing nation Brazil, a five-time Fifa World Cup winner. Now, as the South Africans stride onto the global stage at the Club World Cup, this correlation is stronger than ever. Nicknamed the Brazilians, Sundowns are captivated by the shared ethos of flair and passion, and Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac drew parallels between their style of play and that of the Brazilian national team. Kovac came to that conclusion while doing his homework on Sundowns ahead of today's Group F clash. He said: 'They are more to the side of the Brazilian team', underscoring the challenge that awaits Dortmund and the intrigue surrounding Sundowns in this tournament. Grouped in the fiercely competitive Pool F alongside the likes of Bundesliga powerhouses Borussia Dortmund, illustrious Brazilian side Fluminense, and South Korean outfit Ulsan HD, Sundowns are ready to prove that they belong among the elite. Masandawana are stepping into a realm where their fluid passing, inventive movement, and tactical acumen can shine on a worldwide platform. For Sundowns, being likened to Brazil – a country synonymous with football artistry – validates their approach and ambition. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The team have long been noted for their flair and creativity, distinct qualities that have brought them success in South African football. Sundowns are not just players in a tournament; they are ambassadors of South African football, with the hopes of a continent resting on their shoulders. The world's eyes will be on them as they strive to outshine their formidable opponents. Kovac expressed his enthusiasm for this unique opportunity, highlighting the diverse playing styles of their upcoming opponents. However, his Dortmund squad are ready to face an eclectic mix of playing styles. 'This is something new, a special moment for each of us,' Kovac remarked, underlining the thrill of venturing outside the familiar territory of European football. 'We usually play European teams, and now we're facing three different teams from three different continents. 'It's something new and something nice, to be honest.'
Daily Maverick
3 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Proteas' focus shifts focus to white-ball format with next Test a distant dream for fans
White-ball cricket and the 2027 ICC World Cup on home soil are Proteas' new focus. 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 Lord's. 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. That's 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 they're all in the shortest format: West Indies touring the country for five T20Is in January and February 2026. All about the white ball next South Africa's next few months are littered with white-ball cricket as they look to build for the one-day international (ODI) ICC World Cup at home, staged in 2027. South Africa head to Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series — which doesn't count for the next WTC cycle — before a tri-series T20I tournament in the country, which includes New Zealand. They then travel to Australia and England in August and September for three ODIs and three T20Is in each country. After that they fly over to the subcontinent through the early summer months to take on Pakistan and India, which will each host two Test matches and three ODIs before Pakistan host three T20Is and India host five. With the national team's home summer so sparse, the fourth season of the SA20 will start a few weeks earlier than usual, on Boxing Day, to ensure some cricket content in the period so often associated with Test cricket in the country. It's somewhat ironic that the SA20 is filling this space, and it paints a picture of the changing landscape of the sport. The Proteas' WTC charge was almost derailed because of the first-choice players' contractual obligation to play in the SA20 at the start of 2024, instead of touring New Zealand for a two-match series. Not only did it put South Africa in a position where they had to win seven of their last eight matches to qualify for the final, which they did, it also helped the Black Caps beat the Proteas in a Test series for the first time in the sport's history. Although it looks like a steady overhaul of the shortest format in favour of the longest one, those who still play the red-ball game want to see it maintain its relevance. 'Favourite format' 'It's always been my most important and favourite format,' said Aiden Markram, the WTC final's player of the match. 'Naturally, playing fewer games is not really on us — it's just the cards that get dealt. But it's really important, in my opinion, to keep Test cricket as the number one priority in South Africa. 'We understand all the dynamics that are happening in the cricket world and that's completely fair, but it's more about the young guy coming through — that his main thing is to get a Test match baggy and play Test match cricket for South Africa. 'If we can still do that, it's fine. How long they play for is a different conversation in the world of cricket nowadays. 'But the number one priority should always be to play Test cricket and I've always felt that, believed that. If we can get that back with the younger people coming through, I think we've done well.' South Africa's Test tour to Zimbabwe is littered with talented youngsters. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (19) and Dewald Brevis (22) have lit up T20 tournaments in the past, and they are the two standout young names who are expected to make their debut in South Africa's first match as champions. World Cup in South Africa There was some criticism of the strength of the opposition South Africa faced on their road to the WTC final, as they didn't meet Australia or England prior to the final. Even though England only won half of their WTC fixtures, their reputation as being among the 'Big Three' somehow invalidated South Africa's charge. This time round, in the 2025-27 cycle, South Africa will play England and Australia at home as well as playing India away. 'We play whatever's put in front of us,' Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said. 'There's a lot of things we'd like but we can't get. We just play the cards we're dealt. And it's often not what you've been dealt, but how you play those cards.' ICC World Cup With the influx of white-ball cricket, though, the focus does shift to succeeding at the 2027 ICC World Cup on home soil. So much of South Africa's planning over the past few years has been about winning the tournament, including the hiring of director of national teams and high performance Enoch Nkwe, whose contract runs until the end of it. This WTC win, though warmly welcomed, wasn't part of the long-term planning like the 2027 ICC World Cup is. Conrad has taken over the white-ball sides too, and players such as superstar Kagiso Rabada have had their appetite for success whetted with the victory at Lord's. 'This has obviously given us confidence that we can do it again,' Rabada said. 'I don't know how I would be feeling if the result went the other way around, but let's not think too much about that. 'This gives confidence for the future, and confidence comes from doing good things.' South Africa will hope that the WTC win will inspire Rabada and company to go on and break the nation's World Cup duck as well in 2027, with everything being set up for them to succeed at home. DM
