South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test: Start Time, Venue and How to Watch

Updated October 26, 2026: South Africa and Australia are scheduled to meet in the third and final Test at YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from Tuesday, October 27, through Saturday, October 31. Cricket South Africa lists the first ball for 10:30 a.m. in Cape Town, South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+02:00). SuperSport lists the corresponding start as 08:30 UTC. The series is tied 1–1, and this match is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.

The venue, date, and local start remain consistent with the current Cricket South Africa fixture listing and the international schedule published by the ICC. The ICC match schedule and ESPN’s match center identify the fixture as the third Test in Cape Town; ESPN lists match ID 1525661. The match is scheduled for five playing days, but it may finish earlier if a result is reached, and weather or playing conditions can interrupt scheduled play.

South Africa vs Australia third Test schedule

Start time and time-zone details

Use 08:30 UTC on October 27 as the reference if you are converting the match start for another location. Cape Town observes SAST at UTC+02:00 and does not change its clocks for daylight saving time, so 10:30 a.m. in Cape Town is 08:30 UTC on the match date. This is the venue’s time, not a time inferred from the article’s publication date or from a viewer’s location.

Cricket Australia lists the same start as 7:30 p.m. AEDT (UTC+11:00) on Tuesday, October 27, for viewers in Australian regions using AEDT. Australia spans several time zones, so that conversion should not be treated as the start time throughout the country. Check your local schedule if you are outside Cape Town or an AEDT region.

The October 27–31 dates are the scheduled match window, not a guarantee that five complete days of cricket will be played. A Test can end early after a result, while rain, bad light, or other match conditions can reduce playing time. The start time is the scheduled first-ball time; the toss and any day-of adjustment should be checked through an official match update.

Why the Newlands Test is the series decider

Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs. South Africa levelled the series in Gqeberha by winning the second Test by an innings and 31 runs. Those results leave the teams at one win each. Because the Cape Town match is the third and final Test, a win gives that side a 2–1 series victory; a draw would leave the series tied 1–1.

The series also counts toward the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27. The championship context gives the match significance beyond the bilateral result, although the outcome of one Test should not be described as deciding qualification for the final by itself. The ICC’s published season schedule lists the South Africa–Australia Test series, including the Cape Town fixture, in the current WTC cycle.

Newlands venue and listing names

The match is at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. Cricket South Africa’s current fixture card uses the name YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground, while the ICC’s season schedule has referred to the venue as World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground. Both listings identify Newlands in Cape Town. Use the venue and event details printed on your ticket or the current organizer listing when planning a visit.

This update confirms the scheduled ground and start time; it does not add a pitch forecast or a weather prediction. Those details can change closer to play, and no specific pitch or weather outcome should be treated as confirmed without a current ground or match-day update. Fans attending in person should check the venue’s own notices for entry arrangements and the latest event information.

Where to watch South Africa vs Australia

In South Africa, SuperSport lists the tour on SuperSport Cricket, DStv Channel 212, and DStv Stream. In Australia, Cricket Australia lists the matches on Fox Cricket and Kayo. These are country-specific rights; viewers elsewhere should check their local broadcaster or official streaming listings rather than assume a South African or Australian service is available in their region.

For live scoring and match updates, follow the ESPN match center for fixture 1525661. Its listing identifies Newlands, Cape Town, and the five scheduled match days. SuperSport’s fixture page also carries the 08:30 UTC schedule entry. Broadcast start graphics may show a regional time, so confirm the time-zone label before setting a reminder.

Toss and confirmed playing XIs

As of this October 26 update, the final playing XIs have not been published in the official match information reviewed here. Cricket Australia’s latest report says Nic Maddinson and reserve wicketkeeper Sam Harper have been released from Australia’s Test squad, meaning Australia will make at least one change for the decider. The same report says Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are returning from injury and that Steve Smith was due to undergo a fitness check at the team’s match-eve training session. These are squad and availability updates, not confirmation of the final XI.

Do not treat a projected lineup in a preview as a confirmed team sheet. Check the teams’ official channels and the live match center around the toss for the toss result and both playing XIs. South Africa’s final XI should also be treated as unconfirmed until an official team announcement is available. The squad selected earlier in the tour is not the same thing as the eleven players chosen for this Test.

For the schedule and championship context, see the ICC’s South Africa season schedule and its series coverage. The current start and ground listing appears on Cricket South Africa’s fixture page; the UTC listing is on SuperSport’s tournament fixture page. For broadcast details, consult SuperSport’s tour coverage notice and Cricket Australia’s latest squad update.