England and South Africa have agreed to postpone their scheduled Twenty20 international series that was due to take place during the northern hemisphere winter of 2026–27.
Instead, the two teams will contest a tour made up of three Test matches and three one-day internationals, to be played between December 2026 and January 2027.
Under the ICC Future Tours Programme, the white-ball portion of the tour had originally included three T20 internationals alongside the ODI series. However, those matches have now been removed from the itinerary.
Both Cricket South Africa and the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed they are working to rearrange the 20-over fixtures for a later date.
Scheduling clash with SA20 tournament
The postponement is largely due to a clash with South Africa’s domestic franchise competition, the SA20, which is scheduled to run from 9 January to 14 February 2027.
A number of players from both national squads are expected to feature in the tournament, making it difficult to accommodate an international T20 series during the same period.
In a statement, the ECB said:
“The originally planned T20 series has been removed from the schedule due to scheduling conflicts.
Both parties are exploring opportunities to reschedule it at a later date.”
Test series begins in Johannesburg
England’s Test campaign in South Africa will begin on 17 December 2026 at The Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The second Test is scheduled to start on 26 December at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with the final match of the series beginning on 3 January 2027 at Newlands in Cape Town.
ODI series follows Tests
Following the conclusion of the Test matches, the two sides will move into a three-match ODI series.
The first one-day international will be played on 10 January at Boland Park in Paarl. The remaining two matches will both take place at Manguang Oval, on 13 and 15 January respectively.
England leadership context
The tour will come under the leadership of Harry Brook, who was appointed England’s white-ball captain in April 2025.
Confirmed tour schedule
- 17–21 December – First Test, Johannesburg
- 26–30 December – Second Test, Centurion
- 3–7 January – Third Test, Cape Town
- 10 January – First ODI, Paarl
- 13 January – Second ODI, Bloemfontein
- 15 January – Third ODI, Bloemfontein
