Proteas set for big Test season in 2026-27 after home hiatus

Temba Bavuma's side won't play any Test matches in South Africa during the 2025-26 season, as the SA20 takes center stage during the prime summer window, including the traditional Boxing Day slot.

"It won't happen again, but it was a tough decision and one that had to be made," said Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Pholetsi Moseki. "We needed to make sure the SA20 was locked into the calendar. Now that it is, future scheduling will be far more predictable."

The move raised eyebrows among Test cricket supporters, but CSA is banking on long-term stability. With SA20 now entrenched in the domestic summer, Test cricket returns in a big way the following season.

In 2026-27, the Proteas will host Bangladesh (two Tests), Australia (three Tests), and England (three Tests) - a high-profile slate that should go a long way toward making up for the lost season.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, talks are heating up around reviving longer Test series between South Africa and England. The two sides haven't met in a four-match series since England's 3-1 win on South African soil in 2019, but both boards are reportedly open to extending future encounters to four or even five Tests.

With international calendars tightening and T20 leagues expanding, South Africa's upcoming Test commitments offer a glimpse of how tradition and innovation may yet coexist - if the balance is struck just right.

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