There are few fixtures in international cricket that carry quite the same weight as South Africa against Australia.
Their rivalry has produced some of the game’s most enduring memories, from the heartbreak of the 1999 World Cup semifinal and South Africa’s extraordinary 438-run chase at the Wanderers in 2006, to three successive test series victories in Australia and the controversy that engulfed the 2018 Newlands test.
Now, after eight years without a full multi-format tour on South African soil, Australia are back, with a three-match ODI series beginning in Durban on SA’s Heritage Day, Thursday, 24 September, followed by three tests in October.
It is the opening chapter of a packed summer of international cricket — and one that arrives as the game becomes more accessible to DStv subscribers.
The new DStv Sports package, launched on 17 September, includes 17 dedicated sports channels, SuperSport Cricket and every Proteas cricket fixture, while former DStv Compact customers have automatically migrated to Sports.
It means more fans can now be part of a summer that begins with one of international cricket’s great rivalries.
A Rivalry That Needs Little Introduction
South Africa and Australia have a habit of producing cricket that lives long in the memory.
The 1999 World Cup semifinal ended in one of the most painful moments in Proteas history when a dramatic tie sent Australia through, while seven years later the Wanderers witnessed the extraordinary when South Africa chased Australia’s 434 for four — one of ODI cricket’s most remarkable matches.
The rivalry took a darker turn at Newlands in 2018 when Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball, leading to lengthy bans for Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner and a major reckoning around Australia’s team culture.
Now, eight years later, Australia are back, giving the Proteas an opportunity to write a very different chapter.
There is also a more recent piece of history between the sides. In June 2025, South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets at Lord’s to win the ICC World Test Championship, securing their first senior men’s ICC trophy since 1998.
The reigning World test Champions will now face the same opponents they beat in the final, this time on home soil and across a full summer, adding another layer to a contest that has never lacked intrigue.
More Fans Can Now Experience the Action
For SuperSport, the return of Australia is also an opportunity to bring the game to a wider audience. The new DStv Sports package, launched on 17 September, offers 17 dedicated sports channels and more than 115 channels overall, including SuperSport Cricket and the Proteas, alongside a broad range of other major sporting properties.
For customers who were previously on DStv Compact and have moved to the new Sports package, SuperSport Cricket is now part of their viewing line-up, putting the Proteas and the biggest cricket competitions within easier reach.
So when Australia walk out in Durban on Thursday, more DStv subscribers will be able to follow the action live, with the series serving as the first instalment of a summer packed with international cricket.
SuperSport Brings the Voices of the Game
SuperSport’s coverage will be backed by a formidable line-up of former international stars, experienced commentators and emerging broadcasting talent, bringing viewers insight from both sides of the rivalry and taking them beyond the scorecard into the tactics, personalities and stories behind the game.
Leading the team is Makhaya Ntini, the first black African to represent South Africa at test level, who played 101 tests and claimed 390 wickets. He is joined by Hashim Amla, Shaun Pollock, Vernon Philander, Monde Zondeki, Mfuneko Ngam, Chris Morris, Victor Mpitsang, Jon Kent and Fanie de Villiers, while former Australia international Simon Katich and Zimbabwe’s Ed Rainsford add international perspective.
Natalie Germanos, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Philasande Sixaba and Lesego Pooe will also form part of the coverage, ensuring viewers have access to a mix of experience, knowledge and fresh perspective throughout the tour.
“Cricket is such an important part of the sporting fabric of South Africa, and we are incredibly excited to bring this Summer of Cricket to our viewers, beginning with Australia against the Proteas this Thursday,” said Rendani Ramovha, CANAL+ Senior Vice President for Sports Content in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa.
“With the new DStv Sports package, more subscribers than ever before can now access SuperSport Cricket and experience the Proteas, international test cricket, the Betway SA20, the IPL and so much more. This is a significant moment for cricket fans because it means the game is becoming more accessible, and we are proud to bring them every moment of what promises to be an incredible summer.”
Legendary Proteas spinner Paul Adams is equally excited about what lies ahead.
“I’m pretty amped about the summer ahead because there is so much cricket coming our way, with big tours against Australia and England, and Bangladesh first up,” said Adams.
“It’s a big summer for South African cricket and I think our cricket lovers have really been crying out for it. We missed having test cricket around the New Year period last year, and there is something special about summer in South Africa, with families getting out there, watching cricket and simply enjoying the game together.
“With the Proteas being the reigning World test Champions and sitting in a strong position on the World Test Championship table, it makes the summer even more exciting. There is a lot to look forward to, and I think it’s a summer for us to really embrace the cricket, enjoy the big moments and make the most of everything that is coming our way.”
Former Proteas allrounder Jacques Kallis believes opening up access to the game can only strengthen cricket in South Africa.
“For cricket watchers and cricket lovers, any time we can grow this game of cricket, it’s a positive thing,” said Kallis.
“Whether it’s grassroots, girls’ cricket or anyone playing the game, I think the wider we spread it, the better. It can only be good for the game. The more people who can watch it, the more people will want to play it. So I think it’s a fantastic decision. Long may it last, and may we get many more cricketers coming through from a young age and from different areas.”
Former Proteas fast bowler Shaun Pollock echoed those sentiments, particularly given the amount of international cricket played during the working week.
“I think it’s obviously great. The more people you’ve got watching, the better,” said Pollock. “People can’t always get to venues, and a lot of our cricket happens during the week, so the fact that they can access it on TV more regularly is great.”
Cricket fans can also catch an exclusive cricket round table series on SuperSport hosted by Mpumelelo ‘Pommie’ Mbangwa, as he invites Proteas legends to discuss the Summer of Cricket.
The series kicks off with Mbangwa bringing together a serious collection of Proteas bowling legends: Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Paul Adams, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.
Watch the FULL 1-hour special which goes live at 18:30pm tonight , right here:
Australia Are Only the Beginning
The three ODIs against Australia are merely the start. The teams then meet in a three-test series from 9–31 October, with matches in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Bangladesh follow in November and December, with the Proteas set for two tests from 15–27 November, three ODIs from 1–7 December and three T20 internationals from 10–13 December.
Then comes England, with a three-test series beginning on 17 December, including the Boxing Day test at SuperSport Park and the New Year’s test at Newlands, followed by three ODIs in January. And when the international calendar gives way to franchise cricket, the Betway SA20 returns for its fifth season from 17 January to 21 February 2027.
It is a summer that moves seamlessly from the intensity of test cricket to the urgency of ODIs and the explosive entertainment of T20, with SuperSport bringing the entire journey to viewers.
But first comes Australia, and there could hardly be a more fitting way to open the South African summer.
The first ODI takes place at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Thursday, 24 September at 10:00, followed by the Pink Day ODI at the DP World Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, 27 September at 10:00, before the series concludes at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, 30 September at 13:30.
After eight years, Australia are back in South Africa, the Proteas arrive as reigning World test Champions, and another chapter in one of cricket’s great rivalries is ready to be written. More importantly, thanks to the new DStv Sports package, more subscribers than ever before can now be there to experience it.
South Africa v Australia — live on SuperSport Cricket, DStv Channel 212 and DStv Stream.
For full broadcast information, results, fixtures, news and analysis, visit www.supersport.com.