Draft version of ICC Future Tours Program reveals South Africa are unlikely to play Test in Australia until 2030

Reigning World Test Champions South Africa are unlikely to play another Test on Australian soil until late 2030, and even then will likely not include visits to Melbourne or Sydney.

Reigning World Test Champions South Africa are unlikely to play another Test on Australian soil until late 2030, and even then any Test series Down Under will probably not include visits to Melbourne or Sydney.

This masthead can reveal that a draft version of the ICC Future Tours Program do not have the Proteas slated to play a Test series in Australia until the 2030-31 summer, in which they would visit before the West Indies play the peak holiday Tests at the MCG and SCG.

As previously reported, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are due to play three and two Tests respectively over the 2027-28 season, the first in the new FTP which has not yet been finalised by the ICC.

India (2028-29) and England (2029-30) would then follow for five Tests each.

That means the Proteas - who beat Australia in the WTC decider at Lord’s earlier this year and recently crushed India in the subcontinent - won’t arrive until deep into 2030.

It’s understood Cricket South Africa’s prioritisation of its franchise SA20 competition, as well as its home international cricket, means the Windies have been pencilled in for the marquee Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

That series would mark the West Indies’ first Tests in Australia since Shamar Joseph ran amok at the Gabba early last year, and end up making it 15 years between Boxing Day Tests for the one-time international cricket powerhouse.

South Africa claimed the ICC World Test Championship after defeating Australia in June. Picture: Glyn KIRK / AFP

It would consign the Proteas to the earlier Tests, likely in Brisbane and Perth.

The next FTP, which will span 2027 to 2031, is not expected to be released until next year, and the schedule is also subject to ICC tinkering of WTC matchups. The WTC operates on a two-yearly cycle, with Cricinfo recently reporting that the next WTC edition (2027-2029) may be expanded from nine to 12 teams, with the addition of Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland. One-off Tests may also count to WTC standings, which has not previously been the case.

South Africa has been the most successful touring Test nation in Australia this century, winning Test series in 2008-09, 2012-13 and 2016-17.

Australia were victorious on South Africa’s last trip in 2021-22. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Proteas were however beaten 2-0 on their most recent Test trip to these shores in 2021-22.

Australia is due to play three Tests in South Africa from October next year, which will be the first time the two sides have met in the rainbow nation since the infamous sandpaper tour of early 2018.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play two Top End Tests against Australia next August, before a four Test home summer against New Zealand stopping in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney across the 2026-27 season.

The Aussie men then head to India for five Tests starting in January before returning to the MCG for the 150th anniversary Test against England in March, a pink-ball game. It is part of a hectic run of up to 21 Tests in 14 months for Australia, with the WTC final (should the side qualify) and an away Ashes series to come that Winter.

Originally published as Draft version of ICC Future Tours Program reveals South Africa are unlikely to play Test in Australia until 2030