England men · Test · International series · 1st Test

South Africa
v England⁠

Match information

Start Thursday 17 December at 08:00 UK time.

Date
17 Dec – 21 Dec 2026 · England in 2026
Start
08:00 UK
Venue
DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg
Competition
Test · International series · 1st Test

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Last checked 29 October 2026

Match odds · 18+

South Africa v England odds

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On the line v South Africa

Records within reach for England men players in this match, from the all-time records tables.

Test wickets

4 Test wickets to pass Swann

Ben Stokes

Stokes is No.8 on England's all-time Test wickets list with 252. 4 more moves Stokes past Graeme Swann (255) into No.7.

Match guide

England begin their Test series in South Africa with the first Test at DP World Wanderers in Johannesburg, scheduled from 17 to 21 December, with first ball on day one due at 08:00 UK time. Further Tests follow at Centurion from 26 December and Cape Town from 3 January.

Before this tour, the five most recent meetings between the sides were all white-ball games in September 2025. South Africa won the ODI series 2–1, by seven wickets and five runs before England hit back with a 342-run victory after making 414/5, and the T20Is were shared, South Africa winning one by 14 runs on the DLS method and England the other by 146 runs after scoring 304/2. Across formats, our records show 44 meetings since March 1992, with England winning 22, losing 20 and drawing two. In September 2026, England beat Sri Lanka 2–1 in a home ODI series.

Men's senior internationals · Newest first

The last 5 meetings

2020 – 2022

Tests since 1889

England v South Africa stats

Full head-to-head

Meetings156In our results database
England wins66England perspective
Draws, ties & NR55Drawn, tied or no result
South Africa wins35South Africa victories

Fixture guide · 18+

Betting on South Africa v England⁠

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Match result

A Test can end in an England win, a South Africa win or a draw, so the draw is a real outcome.

Player and runs markets

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