MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Eight years after the “Sandpapergate” scandal rocked test cricket, Australia will return to South Africa to play three test matches preceded by three one-day internationals in September and October.
It will be Australia's first test series in South Africa since the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal in 2018 when Australian fielder Cameron Bancroft was caught by TV cameras roughing up the ball with sandpaper hidden in his pants.
Bancroft was suspended for nine months and the then-skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were each given unprecedented 12-month bans by Cricket Australia for their parts in the plot to change the condition of the ball so it would assist the bowling attack.
Smith is still playing test cricket for Australia and could feature in the upcoming South Africa tour.
The tests will also be the first between the countries since South Africa won the World Test Championship over Australia at Lord’s last June. It was the Proteas’ first major cricket trophy in 37 years.
Cricket Australia said Tuesday that the one-day matches will be played on Sept. 24 in Durban, Sept. 27 at Johannesburg and a day-night match at Potchefstroom on Sept. 30.
After a two-day warmup match at Potchefstroom on Oct. 3-4, the first test begins Oct. 9 at Durban.
The series will continue with tests beginning Oct. 18 at Gqeberha — formerly Port Elizabeth — and the final match from Oct. 27-31 at Newlands in Cape Town.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Poetry Without Borders 2026 is an annual poetry contest for youth of all ages. It is being j… Read morePoetry Without Borders 2026
With playing described as “stylish and full of fire,” Ensemble Mirable has captivated listen… Read moreEnsemble Mirable: Baroque Masterpieces on period instruments
“Powerful, moving, and exhilarating” Read moreSongs For A New World
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
Dirk van Ulden said:
Brian Wright said:
Let's say Trump's lies. I apologize or the profanity in my earlier comment. I get frustrated and angry with the Pathological Liar in Chief.
Brian Wright said:
Thank you, and sorry, this reply was meant to add to my comments to Terence.
Brian Wright said:
Let's say Trump's lies. I apologize or the profanity in my earlier comment. I get frustrated and angry with the Pathological Liar in Chief.
Brian Wright said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.