South Africa vs England
1st Test

South Africa play England in the 1st Test of Basil D'Oliveira Trophy (South Africa v England) 2026 at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on Thu 17 Dec 2026.

South Africa’s form coming in: beat Australia (South Africa won by 67 runs, Thu 24 Sep 2026, 1st ODI); beat Australia (South Africa won by 32 runs, Sun 27 Sep 2026, 2nd ODI); lost to Australia (Australia won by 45 runs (DLS Method due to rain), Wed 30 Sep 2026, 3rd ODI).

England’s form coming in: beat Sri Lanka (England won by 8 wkts, Sat 19 Sep 2026, 3rd T20I); beat Sri Lanka (England won by 89 runs, Tue 22 Sep 2026, 1st ODI); lost to Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka won by 16 runs, Thu 24 Sep 2026, 2nd ODI); beat Sri Lanka (England won by 223 runs, Sun 27 Sep 2026, 3rd ODI).

The five scheduled days: Day 1 Thu 17 Dec; Day 2 Fri 18 Dec; Day 3 Sat 19 Dec; Day 4 Sun 20 Dec; Day 5 Mon 21 Dec. Daily start times haven’t been published yet.

In Tests, South Africa and England have met 156 times: South Africa won 35, England 66, 55 drawn (records to 26 November 2025). Their last Test series, in England in 2022: England won 2–1 (3 Tests).

The sides meet again in the 2nd Test, Sat 26 Dec 2026 at Centurion Park (SuperSport Park).

The Wanderers Stadium (“The Bullring”) its ends are the Corlett Drive End and the Golf Course End. Johannesburg’s international ground in Illovo, Sandton, nicknamed the Bullring for its steep, enclosed stands.

At The Wanderers Stadium: It hosted the finals of the 2003 World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup. On 18 January 2015 AB de Villiers made the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls) and the fastest ODI century here against West Indies. The 2027 World Cup final is scheduled here.

Ground facts: en.wikipedia.org ↗