The West Indies cricket team travels to South Africa in January 2026 for an exciting three-match T20I series. Cricket fans can expect action-packed games as these two sides meet from January 27 to 31, with all matches scheduled across three iconic South African venues.
The Caribbean side arrives in South Africa looking to prove their mettle in challenging conditions. South Africa, playing at home, holds a clear advantage with familiar pitches and strong crowd support. The Proteas want to maintain their dominance on home soil, while the West Indies aim to upset the hosts with their explosive brand of cricket.
West Indies Tour of South Africa 2026 T20I: Overview
The series consists of three T20 internationals spread across five days. South Africa enters as the favorites, given their home advantage and recent form in the format.
West Indies cricket has a rich T20 history, having won the T20 World Cup twice. However, recent performances have been inconsistent, and this tour offers them an opportunity to rebuild their confidence. South Africa boasts a balanced squad with match-winners in all departments. Their pace attack thrives at home, while their batting lineup includes players who understand these pitches inside out. The Proteas recently showed strong form in T20 cricket.
West Indies Tour of South Africa Team Squads
Here are squads for both teams.
South Africa T20I Squad
South Africa named their squad for the T20 World Cup, and this same group will face the West Indies in the home series.
- Captain: Aiden Markram
- Batters: Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Jason Smith
- All-rounders: Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Corbin Bosch
- Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje
West Indies T20I Squad
The West Indies have not yet announced their official squad for this series. The Caribbean side will likely name their touring party closer to the series dates.
West Indies Tour of South Africa 2026 T20I: Complete Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the West Indies tour of South Africa 2026 T20I series:
| Match | Date | Time (Local & GMT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | January 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM (4:00 PM GMT) | Paarl, Boland Park |
| 2nd T20I | January 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM (4:00 PM GMT) | Centurion, SuperSport Park |
| 3rd T20I | January 31, 2026 | 2:30 PM (12:30 PM GMT) | Johannesburg, The Wanderers Stadium |
Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
Fans in South Africa and the West Indies can watch the matches on Super Sports. And for fans in UK, it will be available to watch on Sky Sports.
| Platform | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| SuperSport App | Live Streaming | Available on SuperSport app and website |
| SuperSport | Live Streaming | Live coverage on SuperSport channels |
| Sky Sports for UK | Live Streaming, Live Streaming | Covers both |
Free Alternative
Cricket South Africa (CSA) often streams youth bilateral matches live on its official YouTube channel.
West Indies vs South Africa Head-to-Head In T20I
West Indies hold a slight upper hand in the Head-to-Head in T20I by 14-12 in a total of 26 T20I matches. Most of the matches were nail-biters, and you could not predict the winner until the last ball.
| Matches | Won by South Africa | Won by West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 12 | 14 |
Venues & Pitches Info
Here is a brief look at the venue and the kind of surface on offer.
Paarl, Boland Park
Boland Park in Paarl hosts the opening match. This venue sits in the beautiful Boland region with mountain views. The ground holds around 10,000 spectators.
The pitch offers good value for shots. Batters enjoy playing here as the ball comes onto the bat nicely. Fast bowlers get some early movement under lights. Teams batting first often post competitive totals. Spinners find limited assistance.
Centurion, SuperSport Park
The second T20I takes place at SuperSport Park in Centurion. This ground sits at a high altitude, which means the ball travels faster through the air. The stadium holds approximately 22,000 fans.
SuperSport Park produces high-scoring matches. The thin air helps the ball fly off the bat. Bowlers struggle to contain runs, and totals above 180 are common. The pitch offers true bounce. Fast bowlers can extract pace but need smart plans to succeed.
Johannesburg, The Wanderers Stadium
The series concludes at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Known as “The Bullring,” this venue has witnessed countless memorable matches. The stadium capacity exceeds 28,000.
The Wanderers pitch traditionally favors fast bowlers. The surface offers pace, bounce, and occasional seam movement. However, once set, batters can score freely. The pitch can deteriorate slightly, bringing spinners into play during the middle overs. The high altitude also affects the ball’s trajectory.
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Conclusion: South Africa vs West Indies Series Starts Jan 27
This West Indies tour of South Africa promises exciting cricket across three competitive matches. Both teams bring different styles to the contest, with South Africa’s all-round strength facing off against the West Indies’ explosive potential.
South Africa enters as the clear favorites given their home advantage and recent form. The Proteas should dominate most departments and comfortably win the series. However, the West Indies possess game-changers who can turn matches with individual brilliance.
