The Australia are coming back to South Africa in 2026 for a Test series and all the memories of one of the most controversial tours in modern cricket history.
The three-Test series begins on October 9, 2026 in Durban and then in Gqeberha and Cape Town. This will be Australia's first Test series in South Africa since 2018, when the tour was associated with the ball-tampering scandal at Newlands.
The 2018 Tour started with Australia Winning
The 2018 series appeared to be going Australia's way at first glance. Steve Smith’s team won the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban by 118 runs, and Mitchell Starc played a key role.
South Africa responded strongly in the second Test at Port Elizabeth, winning by six wickets and thus levelling the series in four matches. Kagiso Rabada was among the most impressive performers and AB de Villiers played a crucial innings for the hosts.
But the cricket soon became overshadowed by events at Cape Town.
What happened at Newlands?
During the third Test, television cameras captured Australian opener Cameron Bancroft using yellow tape containing particles from the pitch to alter the condition of the ball.
Bancroft was confronted by the umpires after the footage was shown on the stadium screen. He later admitted that he had tried to change the ball’s condition to help generate reverse swing. Steve Smith later admitted that Australia's senior players had discussed the plan.
The incident became known as Sandpapergate.
Smith and Warner were suspended
The fallout was immediate.
Steve Smith and David Warner stepped down as captain and vice-captain at the Cape Town Test. Cricket Australia immediately suspended both players for 12 months and Bancroft for nine months.
Darren Lehmann also stepped down as coach.
A major review of the team culture and behaviour followed.
Our cameras will be sharp for this 3-match Test series 🎥 📺 SA v Aus | 1st Test | 9 October | 9:30 CAT #SAvAUS #SSCricket https://t.co/BrUBZZWwUF
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 7, 2026
South Africa won the series 3-1
Despite winning the opening Test, Australia eventually lost the four-match series 3-1.
South Africa won the third Test in Cape Town by 322 runs, and the final Test in Johannesburg ended in another emphatic victory for the hosts, who won by 492 runs. Vernon Philander took six wickets in the final innings as South Africa completed their first home Test-series victory over Australia since their readmission to international cricket.
Eight Years Later, Australia Return
The 2026 series would see Australia return to South Africa for Test cricket and it’s a new chapter in the rivalry.
The first Test starts in Durban on October 9, with the second on October 18 in Gqeberha and the third on October 27 in Cape Town.
The Cape Town Test will naturally attract more attention because it is the same venue where the 2018 controversy erupted.
But a lot has changed since. Steve Smith is still a part of Australia’s senior team, as is Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and the others who have played a role in Australia’s evolution.
