England’s long-awaited Test tour of South Africa is facing unexpected uncertainty off the field, with no UK broadcaster yet confirmed for the series. Cricket South Africa has been unable to finalise a television deal after Sky Sports chose not to renew its long-standing rights agreement.
The development, first reported by The Guardian, has forced CSA to explore alternative broadcast options, but a solution is not immediately in sight. This comes despite the tour being one of England’s most attractive overseas assignments, particularly given the festive schedule and strong historical rivalry.
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It will be the first Test tour of South Africa for the England cricket team since 2020, when they secured a dominant 3-0 series win over the South Africa national cricket team. The upcoming tour features three Tests followed by three ODIs in January.
The Test series begins on December 17, 2026, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, followed by the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The third Test returns to Johannesburg on January 3, 2027. The ODI leg will then take place in Paarl and Bloemfontein between January 10 and 15.
The absence of a UK broadcast deal so close to the start of the series is highly unusual. England’s tours of South Africa have been regularly televised in the UK for over 30 years, dating back to the 1995-96 series following South Africa’s return to international cricket.
With significant fan interest and a packed festive schedule, securing a broadcast partner remains a top priority for CSA to ensure the series reaches audiences in the UK.
