Hollywoodbets Kingsmead in Durban plays host to the opening encounter of the 2026 ODI series.
The fierce southern hemisphere cricket rivalry resumes today, September 24, 2026, as South Africa and Australia square off in the 1st One-Day International (ODI) at the historic Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. This opening encounter marks the beginning of Australia’s multi-format tour of South Africa, which features a highly anticipated three-match ODI series followed by a three-Test campaign. Serving as an early block of testing for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup cycle, both camps enter the series with high stakes, tactical changes, and an intense desire to establish early dominance.
The Evolution of a Great Cricket Rivalry
When South Africa and Australia lock horns on a cricket field, the atmosphere transitions from simple athletic competition into an intense battle of attrition. This cross-continental rivalry has produced some of the most memorable chapters in the history of international cricket. From the unforgettable 1999 World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston to the record-breaking “438 match” at Johannesburg in 2006, clashes between the Proteas and the Baggy Greens rarely fail to deliver.
The 2026 series brings an added layer of narrative tension. It marks Australia’s first venture into the “Rainbow Nation” for red-ball cricket since the infamous 2018 series. While this opening leg is centered around the white-ball format, the historic bad blood and competitive fire remain completely unchanged.
Historically, South Africa has held a distinct upper hand in recent bilateral ODI encounters. In a remarkable statistic that defies Australia’s broader global dominance, the Proteas have won their last five consecutive bilateral ODI series against the Australians, stretching back a full decade to September 2016. The last time Australia tasted a bilateral series victory against South Africa was in 2014. This creates a compelling psychological backdrop: the current World Cup holders, Australia, are out to break a ten-year hoodoo on South African soil, while an injury-depleted South African squad fights to keep their pristine home record alive.
Full Match Schedule and Tour Dates
The three-match ODI series is tightly packed over the course of a week, traversing three diverse cricketing centers across South Africa. Following the conclusion of the white-ball leg, the teams will shift their focus to the longer format, gearing up for three crucial Test matches that form a pivotal part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Australia Tour of South Africa 2026 – Complete Schedule
| Match / Event | Date | Venue | Local Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Thursday, 24 September 2026 | Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban | 10:00 AM |
| 2nd ODI | Sunday, 27 September 2026 | DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 10:00 AM |
| 3rd ODI (D/N) | Wednesday, 30 September 2026 | Senwes Park, Potchefstroom | 1:30 PM |
| Tour Match | 3–4 October 2026 | JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom | 10:00 AM |
| 1st Test | 9–13 October 2026 | Kingsmead, Durban | 9:30 AM |
| 2nd Test | 18–22 October 2026 | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 10:00 AM |
| 3rd Test | 27–31 October 2026 | Newlands, Cape Town | 10:00 AM |
Venue Profile: Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
The choice of Kingsmead, Durban for the series opener brings distinct environmental factors into play. Located near the coast of the Indian Ocean, Kingsmead is historically known for its humid conditions, which can lead to notable overhead swing early in the day, especially during morning starts.
Pitch and Ground Conditions
The 1st ODI begins at 10:00 AM local time, meaning the first session will test the openers’ technical discipline against a moving white ball.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 233 runs.
- Average 2nd Innings Score: 185 runs.
While modern limited-overs pitches generally lean toward batting-friendly surfaces, Kingsmead frequently offers an equilibrium. True bounce assists stroke-makers once they settle in, but the extra moisture in a morning pitch ensures seam bowlers remain threatening. Spinners traditionally find some grip during the dry middle overs, though the primary defensive shield on this ground remains disciplined pace bowling.
Kickoff Times: Global Broadcast Guide
To accommodate cricket fans across multiple time zones, the first match starts during the morning in South Africa, aligning with peak evening viewing in Australia and afternoon broadcasting in Asia.
- Local Time (South Africa): 10:00 AM SAST
- Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 6:00 PM AEST
- Indian Standard Time (IST): 1:30 PM IST
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 8:00 AM GMT
Broadcast Channels and Live Streaming Platforms
For fans looking to catch every ball of the 1st ODI live, various international networks have secured broadcasting rights.
- Australia: The series will be shown exclusively on Fox Cricket via television, with live digital streaming available on Kayo Sports.
- South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa: Live coverage is managed by SuperSport on its dedicated cricket channels and the SuperSport app.
- India: Fans can follow updates and stream the game live via authorized sports streaming services and networks covering international bilateral series.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket will provide broadcast and digital coverage.
Team News: Injury Woes vs Leadership Changes
Both camps enter the 1st ODI managing notable roster adjustments, forcing changes to their core match strategies.
South Africa: An Attack Stripped of Pace
The Proteas enter their home summer facing an unexpected selection crisis. A string of sudden hamstring injuries has sidelined four of their primary fast bowlers. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, and Kwena Maphaka have all been ruled out of the ODI series.
South Africa & Australia: Key Updates and Match Outlook
South Africa faces heavy bowling responsibilities as Gerald Coetzee returns from injury alongside Marco Jansen and Lizaad Williams. Aiden Markram misses the opener due to personal matters, leaving leadership and batting duties to Temba Bavuma, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs. Australia arrives after a clean sweep against Zimbabwe; Pat Cummins’ workload is managed by resting him for the opener, with Mitchell Marsh taking the captaincy.
Complete confirmed squad rosters and predicted playing XIs for both nations can be reviewed in the full reference details.
Key Match-Ups & Prediction
- Travis Head vs. Marco Jansen: Head’s powerplay aggression meets Jansen’s left-arm angle and bounce.
- Quinton de Kock vs. Josh Hazlewood: Hazlewood holds a strong historical edge over de Kock.
- Keshav Maharaj: Vital for middle-over control on his home turf at Kingsmead.
While South Africa maintains a remarkable home bilateral streak, Australia enters with superior squad availability, granting the visitors a slight edge for the 1st ODI.
Tickets
Local fans can secure tickets via CSA’s official channels or Ticketpro South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When and where is the 1st ODI between South Africa and Australia being played?
The 1st ODI is scheduled for Thursday, 24 September 2026. The match is being held at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
2. What time does the 1st ODI kick off globally?
The match is a morning fixture in South Africa, starting at 10:00 AM local time (SAST). For global audiences, the match times are as follows:
- Australia: 6:00 PM AEST
- India: 1:30 PM IST
- Greenwich Mean Time: 8:00 AM GMT
3. Where can I live stream or watch the match on television?
Broadcast channels vary depending on your location:
- Australia: Exclusive coverage on television via Fox Cricket, with live digital streaming on Kayo Sports.
- South Africa: Broadcast live on SuperSport and its accompanying digital streaming app.
- India: The match will be available to stream live on the FanCode app and website, but will not be televised live on traditional networks.
4. Why is Pat Cummins sitting out the 1st ODI?
While Pat Cummins has returned to the squad following a rest period during the Zimbabwe tour, team management is prioritizing his long-term fitness ahead of the upcoming three-match Test series. Mitchell Marsh will captain the Australian side for the series opener in his absence.
5. Which key players are missing from the South African squad?
South Africa is navigating an unprecedented injury crisis in their pace department. Four frontline fast bowlers—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, and Kwena Maphaka—have been ruled out due to sudden hamstring or related injuries. Additionally, experienced batsman Aiden Markram will miss the series opener due to personal reasons.
6. What is the predicted Playing XI for both teams?
- South Africa (Predicted XI): Tony de Zorzi, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams.
- Australia (Predicted XI): Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett.
7. What is the match prediction for the opening game?
Despite South Africa holding a flawless home record against Australia over the last decade, their heavily depleted bowling unit tilts the scales toward the visitors. Bookmakers and analysts place Australia as the favorites (odds at ~1.65 to 1.75) to break their Durban hoodoo and secure a 1-0 series lead. However, South Africa remains heavily backed to hit the most sixes during the match given their superior boundary-hitting form.
8. How can I purchase tickets for the upcoming ODI matches?
Tickets for the games in Durban, Johannesburg, and Potchefstroom can be booked online via Cricket South Africa’s official ticketing partner, Ticketpro South Africa, or bought directly at the stadium box offices, subject to availability.
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