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South Africa 2026 Tour Information | Match Tickets ONLY


Australian Cricket Tour To South Africa 2026 | Tour Schedule

Welcome to South Africa 2026

Many thanks for booking match tickets from us for the Australian Cricket Tour to South Africa; it is indeed the best nation to follow the game.

This is only some information collected from our tour last November, created to help provide some insight and advice before you leave.

In the West Indies 2025 someone 'complained' that they didn't know about match transfers. They were told, "It was in the Tour Information". Their reply, "Yeah, but who reads that?"

Point is, read it. Not everything is pertinent to your time with us and you don't have to read it all in one go, but if you don't please don't complain about not knowing where or when to collect match tickets, for example. That very pertinent information is included.

LAST UPDATED: August 31, 2026.

On This Page:

Johannesburg

I was disappointed to not play a Test in Joburg, but we still have the ODI living it up for 4 nights in beautiful Melrose Arch. This stunning gated enclave of luxury car showrooms, apartments, hotels, restaurants, bars, malls and cafes is 10mins walk to Wanderers Stadium, and 15mins to Wanderers Club and Wanderers Golf Course. Melrose remains the best place to stay when watching cricket in Jozi, our favourite city in South Africa. If you're coming to Wanderers, you will understand why we love coming here.

Durban

Visiting Durban in Nov 2025, staying at incomparable Hilton opposite Kingsmead Stadium, dealt a massive shock. The heightened slime, grime and crime of 'downtown' left little encouragement to seek elsewhere to stay. The same for Hilton which has since shuttered its doors.

Welcome to Umhlanga (Oom-Shlan-Ga), 15km north.

This 'totally different world' is perhaps the best 'cricket postcode' in South Africa. Day or night, society safely buzzes between shopping malls, fine-dining, bars, steak restaurants, chain stores, supermarkets, good old fashioned pubs, and our hotel smack in the middle of it all, just 100m from Whalebone Pier and lifeguarded beach. You may, like me, wish for every test to be in Durban if it meant living here. Everything you need is here, except cricket!

Durban City Highlights:

Gqeberha (P.E.)

Municipal chaos, out-of-control crime, and governance problems" was written about Port Elizabeth in 'Business Tech' a few weeks after I was there last Nov. I survived it, and so will you! Our perennial favourite had indeed taken a 'turn' as discovered when visiting in 2025. What I also discovered was societal comfort and security had shifted to breathtaking Boardwalk Mall and Summerstrand and it's kilometres long beachfront promenade.

Our cool hotel, which opened last April, is accessed from within the mall that has 3 supermarkets, casual and convenience restaurants, cinema, boutique stores, bars, and the casino. Lifeguarded King's Beach and ageless Barney's Tavern is opposite this very laid back and safe place to live, though vigilence and Uber* is suggested if going far outside 'the neighbourhood' even by day.

*See Getting Around below

Gqeberha City Highlights

Cape Town

Perhaps cricket's most cherished and 'box ticked' venue behind Lord's & MCG is Newlands. In the late afternoon shade of Table Mountain there is no more stunning and picturesque venue to watch test cricket, which marries beautifully with Cape Town's adventure, nightlife, and things to see & do. You won't cover everything in two weeks, let alone when the game may absorb 5 days.

The V&A Waterfront is for many the only place to go and we don't begrudge anyone getting caught in its tractor beam. The wealth of restaurants and bars, tourist shopping and cafes, day tripping adventures, people watching, and SAFETY, is all there, but not only there. Stretch your wings to Clifton Beach, or Camps Bay. Soak in the style of Kloof and Bree Streets, absorb the colours of Bo Kaap, history of Robben Island, sample the winelands, descend to Cape Point, and of course ascend Table Mountain by Cable Car or hiking trail.

Cape Town Highlights

Communication

We communicate and share tour information, transfer times, function details, and where we go each night after play, among other things, by WHATSAPP ONLY.

We create a separate Group Chat for each Test Match.

If you don't have it, then we can't tell you things, trivial or important, provided your phone is connected to the internet, of course.

  • DO NOT CALL OR TEXT MESSAGE our Australian number. The SIM card WILL NOT be in the phone so it will not ring, and text messages will not be received

Public wifi is abundant, but on arrival you can get a local sim card at the airport, or install an e-SIM before you leave home.

**Register WHATSAPP with your Australian mobile number and leave it. Once installed, Whatsapp will work with any internet connection. You do not need your Australian SIM card in your phone, nor must you change to a South Africa number!**

We have used MTN since 2001. In Oct 2025, I paid A$55 for a month of unlimited data from JNB airport. Airports are more expensive than connecting in a city store, or using an eSIM but you get connected hassle-free.

Otherwise, subscribe to your preferred eSIM global operator which includes, but not limited to, and certainly not with any personal recommendation:

Our Whatsapp Number:

  • +61.402.222217

If you have not messaged us via Whatsapp (I know many of you have), save the number above, and then send me a message so I can save your number in the phone, but you do need to let me know who you are.

Before Leaving

  • Email a copy of your passport to yourself and a trusted soul
  • Update your device with an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number
  • Tell you bank & card issuer that you are headed to Africa
  • Ensure you have adequate travel insurance

What To Bring

Jumper/Fleece: Though touring in spring, the Africa coast especially Cape Town is cold at night, and the warming sun at the cricket may not have intensity to keep you toasty

Travel Plug | Cables: South Africa holes in the wall are primarily Type M plugs (three fat round pins). You MAY also find UK holes, and occasionally EU. As per the image below, don't think two round EU pins will do the job.

Depending on where you stay, there may not be any USB ports, sp best prepare for none!

Power Board: There may only be one convenient plug in your room so pack a power board so you can use your hairdryer & curling wand whilst charging your phone

Sunscreen | Swimmers | Goggles

We recommend only swimming at lifesaver patrolled beaches.

Insect Repellent: Bring your favourite repellent. Mozzies are known to love Africa and though we are not visiting any regions with malaria, and we don't want your time disrupted by pesky bites

Personal Medication: Paracetamol, ibuprofen and off-the-shelf medicines are cheap across the land, but pack what you feel you may need. Prescription medication may not be available so bring what you need to cover your time

Toiletries: Are very cheap to replace in SA but depending the time you are away, bring your preferred hair-gel or fungal creams, with hotels providing staple bathroom lotions, potions, and pastes.

Golf Balls: If you're going to tee-up, bring a few loseable dimples though, along with everything else in South Africa, golf balls are cheap to replace

Immigration

From July 1, 2026, everyone entering South Africa must complete an online customs declaration within 24 hours of arrival.

Otherwise, Australian passport holders can enter South Africa for 90 days without so much as a "How do you do?"

Your passport, its validity and any visa requirement, is YOUR responsibility. If you have questions about entry to South Africa, take it up with South Africa.

On arrival you may be asked to present:

  • Passport valid for duration of your trip
  • Onward or return ticket to country of residence
  • Intended address
  • Evidence of personal financial support
  • Letter of authorization from the other parent/guardian if you are travelling as a single parent/guardian with a person under 18 years of age

Hotels in South Africa

We are staying at these hotels, which is where you will need to go to collect your match tickets. Hotel addresses will be on the hotel weblinks below.

Currency

When you travel, you lose, whether exchanging cash, robbing an ATM, using credit cards, or travel debit cards. The difference may be a negligible 1-2% between means.

  • Tell Your Bank You Are Travelling To South Africa

Whatever means you prefer, you will not need South Africa Rands, cash.

Tap and go is everywhere and all cricket venues are CASHLESS. You can still use cash everywhere, just don't get millions of it.

We had one month in South Africa last November and the only cash used was to get rid of leftover notes from 2018.

Safety & security is high on most people's radars and we can't guarantee that misfortune won't find you. We suggest you bring a few hundred Aussie dollars to keep in your hotel safe as a back-up.

Unless you go to Zimbabwe, you do not need USD$ in South Africa. You don't need any cash in South Africa, but you do as you please, we can only make suggestions.

HOT TIP: If you haven't such, open a 'cash account' with your bank and bring the debit card to leave in your hotel safe (not your hotel room power-socket!). Should misfortune find you, you still have access to money.

ATM

If you still prefer cash, ATM's are plentiful, but if you are going to use an ATM take someone with you and always try to use an ATM inside a shopping mall or bank during opening hours.

  • When you insert your card, before pressing any number, cancel the transaction. If your card comes out, the machine hasn't been tampered with
  • NEVER let anyone 'help you'. They are not helping you, they are robbing you

  • If an ATM eats your card, using one inside a bank during opening hours increases your chance of getting it back without having to cancel it

Getting About

UBER! UBER! UBER!

In case you missed it, UBER!

Or Bolt! Both are available it's your call.

In the day time, where most people will want to go, you will be cool walking around, even by yourself.

Umhlanga would be the safest postcode in South Africa by our reckoning. The lengthy beach promenade of PE is a daily travelator of walkers and joggers, whereas Cape Town city centre and well-trodden 1.5km path to the Waterfront are all safe by day.

For your convenience:

  • Pullman Cape Town provides hourly shuttles through the day to and from V&A Waterfront

By night, no matter how short the distance, book a car. In Nov. last year I had the same driver 3 times in Cape Town, for the A$2 drives. It is common for everyone to call a car so don't fret over distance. Unless in a group, simply DO NOT WALK ALONE AT NIGHT!

There will be absolutely ZERO need for you to catch public transport at any time on this tour. It's not that Cape Town Metro or Joburg's Gautrain (How-Train) are unsafe (they are not!), you just won't need them.

Have Uber or Bolt on your phone and get where you need to go safely and cheaply. You can give a 100% tip and it still won't come to half the fare for half the distance in Australia.

How Much Things Cost

Spend as much as you like but in South Africa, you should go home with a lot more than expected. For an idea of what to pay (they open to a new page), browse these recommended restaurants and bars, and nationwide brands, and convenience chains:

Otherwise expect, approx.:

  • R50 for a 500ml beer
  • R120+ for a bottle of wine in a restaurant
  • Rs250+ for a steak
  • R80+ for a burger
  • R120 for a pizza or pasta
  • R10 for a bottle of water

Laundry

These are laundries close to OUR hotels. We can't speak for where you are staying.

Umhlanga: That Dirty Spot | Next to Hotel
Gqeberha: Canarie | Boardwalk Mall
Cape Town: 24 Hour Laundry | Behind Pullman

Match Tickets

The great news is, we will have physical tickets distributed before our pre-test match function, along with your cool apparel if you have not yet received this.

If you cannot make our pre-test function to collect tickets, please let us know well-before we ask, "Where are you?" at 11pm the night before the test.

Golf

There are many splendid courses across South Africa included the punchy, unique, and unfenced Skukuza Golf Course inside Kruger National Park. Tee-up at your own risk!

There are too many courses to play all of them, but these are our recommendations.

Safety

Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance to cover your time away!!

"If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel!"

For ALL medical related questions, speak to your doctor!!

Over years of touring and preparing to tour South Africa we've not experienced anything that would cause us to reconsider, had any reason to wish we weren't there, nor ever required police or consular assistance.

For all the hype and worry about safety and security in South Africa, you will be pleasantly surprised by its 'non-existence' for wont of a better expression. There are plenty of places that you simply do not go, not even with a local, but otherwise, life at the game, after play, before the cricket even starts, is very-sensibly just like home.

As comfortable as I am walking around each city, understanding where I want to go and the low-risk areas, this does not mean you, if you have never been to SA, should do the same, especially after dark. Please don't.

We have been contacted by the Australia High Commission to register our touring numbers, and they will contact me to share impending risk or danger.

All will be good, but visit Smartraveller and register to receive updates:

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TOURS: