FAQ's | Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026
FAQ's | Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026
"Before you contact us to ask 'how much is the tour' or 'what's included', most if not all you need to know is below. Please, take the time to read & know what you are getting when investing in our amazing tour, before asking questions that are already answered. Thanks."
WE DO NOT YET KNOW A SCHEDULE, VENUES, OR WHEN THESE WILL BE RELEASED!
Hotel Tours: 8 Nights Per City
Where (from): Jo'burg | Centurion | Cape Town | Durban | Gqeberha (TBC)
When: September - October 2026
Matches: 3 Tests | 3 ODI's
Per Test Twin PP: A$3000+ TBC
Per Test Single PP: A$4000+ TBC
Book: Without Obligation For A$1
On This Page:
- South Africa 2026 Tour Intro
- Our South Africa 2026 Tour
- When Is South Africa 2026
- Where Is The Cricket Played
- One Test Match Only
- Getting To & Through South Africa
- South Africa 2026 Tour Inclusions
- Hotels In South Africa 2026
- Twin-Sharing Hotel Rooms
- How Long Is South Africa 2026
- Spare Time In South Africa 2026
- South Africa Match Tickets
- Match Tickets Package
- Cape Town Match Tickets ONLY
-
Cape Town Sold Out
- Match Day Transfers
- Airport Transfers
- Cost To Tour South Africa
- Costs In South Africa 2026
- Safety In South Africa 2026
- Booking South Africa 2026
South Africa 2026 Tour Intro
With more than 30 years of cricket travel experience to every test nation Australia has competed, and our 19th trip to South Africa, we know an Australian Cricket Tour to South Africa is one not to miss.
South Africa is a traveller's paradise with vast and affordable options to travel to all their amazing places. And whether you're on an escorted tour or venturing solo, South Africans are expert at showcasing their lands' natural beauty and introducing you to hidden gems.
From pristine beaches and majestic mountains to thrilling shark dives, scenic hikes, and luxurious safaris, from championship surf to golf courses, ocean fishing, & renowned vineyards.
South Africa has it all.
Add cricket at relaxed venues where you can step onto the field during lunch, it becomes an experience like no other. Experiences we've cherished on every Australian Test Cricket Tour to South Africa since 1997.
We've road-tripped, hitch-hiked, trained, planed, bused, and self-driven to all corners of South Africa, forging lasting memories and collecting countless experiences that we use to help create each tour that are not only about match tickets and a nice hotel.
Our tours are about unique social immersion and making the best of your time in each place. This includes test cricket grounds with an atmosphere and laid-back focus that makes watching cricket in South Africa stupendous.
It is 'no frills' by definition.
From being asked to leave your gun at the gate, lazing on the grass, absorbing live music, and relaxing in the terraces, to cooking your lunch on in-ground BBQ's is part of what makes South Africa our favourite nation to tour.
Our comfortable knowledge of South Africa will enhance your Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026; our first since infamous 2018.
Our South Africa 2026 Tour
In no matter which cities the Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026 will be played, we will use our experience & personality to show the best of where we are.
Once you arrive in South Africa, you'll have up to 8 nights in 4+ star hotels at each test match, along with a dinner party with drinks the night before each test and another once the test match ends. We have been hosting dinner & drinks parties since 2001 years, and now all others do the same.
We love being copied.
We celebrate 'apres-play' somewhere different each night and should the test end early we will suggest optional adventures to partake. Perhaps you want to stay by the pool, or flop on the beaches of Gqeberha, Durban, East London, or Cape Town.
Speaking of Cape Town, along with other 'not-to-be-missed' sights, a trip to the wineries and Table Mountain will be included, should we play at famous Newlands.
If we have 7-days break between tests we may do a road-trip or visit a wildlife park. The choices are endless, but whatever we do, we are there to help you have a great time.
We love South Africa and we're sure you will too when choosing to tour with us.
When Is South Africa 2026
After 8.5 years, we return to our favourite nation (Sri Lanka fell after 2025) to tour for 3 Tests & 3 ODI's from the last week of September to the end of October 2026.
- 1st Test could be played over Grand Final weekend of Sept 26 & 27
You can join us at one or all matches; you are very welcome for the long or short of it.
Once we know a schedule we will create options for all matches.
Where Will The Cricket Be Played
Venues won't be confirmed until 2026. As soon as we know, we'll list them here.
If they're not listed here, then we don't know so save yourself the time.
Before you say, 'we'll definitely play at Newlands', there's no guarantee Cape Town will host a test. This isn't England, where every touring side plays at Lord's.
South Africa Test Cricket Grounds:
- Johannesburg | Wanderers
- Centurion | SuperSport Park
- Potchefstroom | Senwes Park
- Cape Town | Newlands
- Durban | Kingsmead
- Gqeberha | St George's Park
- Bloemfontein | Mangaung Oval
We will be ready to play at any ground. They are all good, especially as they let you on to the field at the lunch break.
Should we play 3 ODI's in 3 cities, we will host another cool road trip after the 3rd test.
One Test Match ONLY
People often ask, 'Do I have to do the whole tour?'
In short, "No!"
If you only want to do one test match of the Australian Cricket Tour to South Africa 2026, then please do.
No one is obliged to do ALL three tests, nor any add-on tour.
ALL Test Matches are available to book as individual tours
Fly in, go to one test, fly out. #JobDone
Getting To & Through South Africa
- NO TRAVEL TO OR FROM SOUTH AFRICA IS INCLUDED
Like all previous Australian Cricket Tours to South Africa, you make your own way to, through, and from South Africa, on your preferred airline, with flying the dominant domestic option due to distance.
#JobDone
Depending on what we do before or after each test, we may include travel to the next test within that add-on. All will be spelled out once we know a schedule, including how & when we travel between cities so you can book the same if you wish. As rusted on Qantas Frequent Flyers, we will fly Airlink throughout.
Please Read:
Research Flights to South Africa:
South Africa 2026 Tour Inclusions
Hotel Tours Include (TBC):
- 8 Nights 4* Hotels Per Test
- Full Breakfast Daily
- Airport Meet & Greet
- Airport To Hotel Transfers ONLY
- Pre-Test Function With Drinks
- Tickets To All 5 days Of Each Test
- Comfy Embankment Chairs (if req.)
- Our Signature Stylish Apparel
- Post-Test Function With Drinks
- Table Mountain In Cape Town
- Wineries Tour In Cape Town
- Optional After-Play Hang Out
- 30 years Cricket Tour Expertise
How Long Is South Africa 2026
Until we know where & when we are playing, and how much time we have between tests, please allow:
- Add-On Tour: 5 Nights
- 1st Test: 8 Nights
- 2nd Test: 8 Nights
- Add-On Tour: 5 Nights
- 3rd Test: 8 Nights
- Namibia: 10 Nights Road Trip, or...
- 3 ODI's: 10 Nights Road Trip
8-night tours include 3-nights* before the test, with everyone checking out the day after the test to either go home or go onwards in South Africa.
(*If you only arrive 2-nights before the test, there is no reduction for the missed first night as all hotels will be booked and paid for 8 nights.)
Depending on the schedule, some test tours may ONLY be 7-nights to include two nights before the test, but this will be clearly detailed in the tour option.
After the 3rd Test we will have an amazing 10 night road trip through Namibia (flight to Windhoek included). We include the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the haunting Swakomund and Skeleton Coast, and breakthaking Etosha National Park, before flying from Windhoek back to Joburg.
Details coming!
There will be 2 or 3 nights per ODI, for which we will have a 8-10 night road trip.
Any add-on tour is optional. You have the choice to go where you want to go before and after each Test, and still join us at the game.
Spare Time In South Africa 2026
There is no shortage of adventure in South Africa when the game is done and won.
In 2018, with 5-days spare after the 2nd test in Port Elizabeth (now the near impossible to pronounce Gqeberha) people went to Madagascar, Zimbabwe, & Namibia, others to Sun City, Kruger National Park, whereas some drove the famed 'Garden Route' from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town.
It's impossible to find one thrill to suit most, let alone all, and why we leave you to do your own thing. It doesn't mean we won't include one thing to save you thinking, but all options for our Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026 will be created once we know a schedule.
Hotels In South Africa 2026
Every major global brand is found across the country, along with South Africa's own excellent Southern Sun, Tsogo Sun and Sun International.
Aside flash hotels are apartments, villas, guesthouses, luxury bush camps & lodges, B&B's, and backpackers. For those with African elephant-like memories, we last 'backpacked' in 2006 so, please, forget what you knew and think we still do.
We only stay at 4+ Star hotels, except in Port Elizabeth where upscale hotels are few and too far from St George's Park.
- All hotels have a swimming pool
- All tours include 'standard' room
Conversely, we are not staying at Cape Grace (for example) in Cape Town at $1000+ per night. It may be a grand hotel but an unneccessary cost. We balance comfort, convenience and cost when choosing our hotels, the names of which we do share with you.
Unlike others that state, 'quality hotels throughout', we believe you should know where you are staying before you book.
On each city page we link to the hotel that we are staying so you can view the hotel to decide if this suits, or even book that hotel yourself and then book our Match Ticket Package or Cape Town Match Tickets ONLY.
Twin-Sharing Hotel Rooms
Following our Australian Cricket Tour to Sri Lanka 2022 we stopped offering 'twin-share' for solo travellers to avoid 'personality uncertainty' when partnering strangers.
Our tour prices have risen in recent years, causing some to book higher priced single room tours, or not book at all, instead of 'sharing the cost' with another solo cricket aficionado.
On our Australian Cricket Tour of the West Indies 2025 we successfully re-introduced random 'twin-share' to help share that cost.Thus, twin-sharing remains for our Australian Cricket Tour to South Africa 2026 but with a twist.
Instead of rooming you with the same person for 2-6 weeks, we'll swap you around after each test match. If you & your roomie get along, as most do, we can room you together for the duration, you both just have to let us know.
**Ladies, we rarely have solo females booking twin-share. When we do, we are left with half a room unpaid for; a loss we are not going to absorb. If you are a solo female traveller, please book single and let us know that you wish to twin-share. If another solo female wants to twin-share books, we will partner you and then refund the difference.**
South Africa 2026 Match Tickets
2026 Match Tickets Options:
- Hospitality
- Reserved Seat
- Grass Embankment
When people think of 'sitting on the grass' they may hark back to heinous days of 'the hill' in Sydney, believing every grassy cricket knoll is the same.
South Africa is furthest from that and where embankment lounging is KING!
South Africa does cricket spectating better than any nation and 'lounging' on grassy knolls is best. This is why, when available, we include embankment tickets and comfy camp chair to fully embrace South Africa cricket life.
(Saying this, New Zealand 2024 taught us (and we learn every tour) that when grandstand seats are available, many people buy them.)
We (ACT) prefer 'lounging', but in South Africa 2026 the choice is yours. We will also have grandstand and hospitality options if a 'seat' is the difference between enjoying the Australian Cricket Tour to South Africa 2026 with us or not.
There are few public seats 'above the sightscreen', with most restricted to hospitality. Our reserved seats will be the best available, elevated and shaded, otherwise, your chair on the grass will be waiting.
Many come to us 'on the hill' to remark how awesome it is, asking 'where did you get the chairs?', or 'how did you get these tickets?'
Anyone that has been been squashed in an 'allocated seat' (at any venue) would know the pain in the arse when people want to get in or out, all day.
On the knoll, place your chair with lots of room to get up, walk around, see others, or just kick back with your shoes off. You are never imprisoned in your seat, which, at the end of the day, we leave at the ground for the next day.
Except Joburg whose grassy knoll is 'no-alcohol family area', all cricket grounds in South Africa have grassy spanses, inviting you to lay a blanket or set up chairs to picnic through the day.
Picnicking made better with not only the ability to bring in eskies filled with lunch, but 'in-venue' BBQ's to cook said lunch for a true 'picnic in the park'.
South Africa 2026 Match Tickets Package
Tour: Match Tickets Package
Where: Venues TBC
When: Sept - Oct 2026
Per Test: $750 (TBC)
Book: HERE
After more than 30 years touring, we know not everyone wants an Australian Cricket Tour with a flashy hotel. We didn't when we started and though we've changed we know there are still many seeking casual affordability and simplicity.
If you don't want a hotel tour, you can book your own accommodation and still enjoy the cricket with our popular Match Tickets Package, which includes:
- Tickets To All 5-Days Of Each Test
- Pre-Test Function With Drinks
- Stylish Apparel
- Embankment Chair (if req.)
- Post-Test Match Function With Drinks
Come to the pre-test function, grab your match tickets & threads, meet some great people, have a few drinks and a ripping night, and we will see you at the game.
This convenient & affordable package guaranteed many did not miss out in 2014 & 2018 when Days 1-3 of CAPE TOWN SOLD OUT. In Cape Town 2026 however we only offer Match Tickets ONLY, making it even better for you!
- Back To The Top
- Book Now For A$1
- Book Cape Town: HERE
CAPE TOWN MATCH TICKETS ONLY
Tour: Match Tickets ONLY
Where: Newlands
When: Sept - Oct 2026
Per Test Grass: $450 (TBC)
Per Test Seated: A$650 (TBC)
Book Cape Town: HERE
If you're travelling with mates, visiting friends, or feel comfy without 'Safety in Numbers' of our hotel package, you can still enjoy cricket in Cape Town with us because for the first time we offer MATCH TICKETS ONLY for Cape Town ONLY,
- There is no Cape Town Match Tickets Package
- 5-day ticket ONLY grass* or reserved seat
- Includes one South Africa 2026 Tour Shirt
- Tickets bought from our guru at Newlands
- Ticket distribution TBC
*Embankment chair (below) NOT INCLUDED
Match tickets for all other venues are available with our Match Tickets Package.
Please: If you're not booking any tour or match ticket option do not ask us where or how to buy tickets. If you want match tickets, book them here.
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- Book Now For A$1
- Book Cape Town: HERE
Cape Town Sold Out
Even if 'test cricket is dying', there are venues and series that brings every cricket lover to the surface.
Ashes in England. India in Australia. Newlands in Cape Town!
The Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2014 & 2018, saw Days 1-3 at Newlands SOLD OUT on the day of release, leaving many planning to buy a ticket on the day, without a ticket.
This brought a flood of calls from many (including those that asked about our Match Ticket Package but didn't book) asking if we had spare tickets.
We never have 'spares', as we only buy for those that book.
#DontRiskIt
We won't know when ticket sales for Newlands 2026 will open so please don't ask, that's for you to learn. We don't need to know when ticket sales open as we will have our tickets booked well-before then.
Please: If you're not booking any tour or match ticket option do not ask us where or how to buy tickets. If you want match tickets, book them here.
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- Book Now For A$1
- Book Cape Town: HERE
South Africa 2026 Match Day Transfers
We have never included transfers as we never live far enough from the ground to warrant the added cost to your tour. This marries with the inconvenience of waiting for others for what is never more than 10 mins drive, except Cape Town.
Since our first visit to Cape Town in 1997, Metrorail to & from Newlands Cricket Stadium has proved far more convenient and affordable for you at just A$0.90c each way.
Newlands Station, which is at the entrance gate to Newlands Cricket Stadium, is a very safe 7 stop journey from Cape Town Railway Station; only 3-4 mins walk from our 2014 & 2018 hotels.
We'll decide on transfers to Newlands in 2026 once we know where we are living.
No matter how short the walk to the ground (300m in Durban 2018!), you can share an app-based taxi for A$1-2 each if you haven't the capacity or inclination to walk.
South Africa 2026 Airport Transfers
In 2018, you made your own way to/from each airport using app-based taxis that were far more convenient, affordable, and practical. In 2026 even more people will use phone apps, but this doesn't mean we won't transfer you. We will still meet & greet you, and confirm transfers once we release tours.
If you're enjoying our Match Ticket Package or travelling independently before joining us, an Airport Uber to our 2018 & 2014 hotels, using Aug 20, 2025 exchange, was:
- Johannesburg: A$15
- Cape Town: A$15
- Durban: A$30
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): A$6
- Centurion: A$22
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Cost To Tour South Africa 2026
With South Africa ablaze with wildflower, another beauty of a Sept tour is that it's the low season; fewer people, cooler weather, lower rates.
We will share more accurate pricing later in 2025 but on Aug 2025 research, we suggest you save for each test tour:
- Twin / Double: A$3000+pp
- Single Room: A$4000+pp
Without knowing 2026 exchange rates, hotel and match ticket rates, these are 'healthy' prices and exclude domestic travel and day trips.
Costs In South Africa 2026
- South Africa cash is Rands (ZAR)
Many think India, Pakistan or the like are the most 'economical' cricket destinations. Those nations are very 'cheap' to live, yes, but the quality of South Africa's lifestyle, restaurants, wines, pubs, bars, & cafes, puts her way on top. You may spend more dollars in South Africa than in India, but get far greater value.
At Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, you pay in a restaurant or pub:
- Bottle Of Wine: A$15+
- Pint Of Beer is A$2+
- 3 Courses: A$30+
- Burger: A$12+
- Pasta: A$12+
- Pizza: A$10+
- Coffee: A$3+
What you spend on the convenience of a tour, you make back in daily living.
The above is using Sept 2025 exchange rates for 2025 online menu prices.
- Sept 08, 2025: A$1 = ZAR11.57
- Sept 22, 2023: A$1 = ZAR12.15
- Feb 2006: AUD$1 = ZAR3.96
Hopefully the current value lasts until 2026 to help 'drive your dollar further'.
- Check rates with XE.com
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Safety In South Africa 2026
**It doesn't matter what we write nor that we have travelled safely to and through South Africa since 1997 if you've already made up your mind about staying home due to 'reported crime'. We are travelling to South Africa in 2026, our 19th visit, and trust you will join us.**
We were emailed by someone keen to tour South Africa, who wrote, "It's too dangerous to travel on your own."
It's not at all too dangerous to travel on your own.
We nonetheless understood their statement, which is why we do a pre-tour tour, to understand the land so you don't have to worry. Our experience and feel of a place is for your benefit.
Still, no matter how we try, it's impossible to change people's distant perspectives of a place when they have already made up their mind.
When chatting about 'good & gooder' places to tour, which included singing the virtues of the Australian Cricket Tour to Pakistan 2022, one asked, "But you didn't GO to Pakistan, though?" as if it was criminal to do so.
"Wasn't I just talking about how good Pakistan was?"
We have never felt as safe anywhere as we did in Pakistan.
#ItWasBrilliant
Visiting Sri Lanka TWICE after Pakistan 2022 to show it was safe, was not enough to prevent many from cancelling, with reasons such as,'I don't want to go hungry, because I read there is no food' or 'There is no fuel so you can't travel'.
We pre-toured Sri Lanka to confirm exactly what we tried to make people understand; there was food. There was fuel. Nothing allowed to prevent tourism from travelling and spending cash.
We don't travel flippantly, but we never stay home through 'fear of random' either. If we did we'd never go to London. You can't control random, but somehow 'random' in England is safer than 'random' in Pakistan.
There are many dangerous elements to South Africa, which we don't go near, but still insist you 'always travel together', even though we are super-comfortable travelling alone.
We tour with the simplest mantra; 'If the cricket team go, then we go'.
Saying that, we've travelled to Pakistan & Bangladesh when the team couldn't! Things are never as bad on the ground as they are on the TV so, please, don't judge the South Africa that we are going to via the news feeds on your sofa.
Come and have a great time with thousands of visitors & locals (below) on the field at Newlands at the lunch break.
#SittingDucks
Booking South Africa 2026
For 30 years, we have brought awesome people together to enjoy the cricket together, safely, no matter how long you tour.
Whether you book 3, 2, or just 1 Test, do our add-on trips or your own thing, book our hotel tour or match tickets package, everyone is welcome on our Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026.
Our goal is to create lasting memories in an amazing country while watching fierce cricket in cool venues. We believe we've covered what you need to know but if you need more information before booking, please reach out.
Otherwise, add your name to our list below and make this one for the books!
