# South Africa and Australia ODI series > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-africa-and-australia-odi-series > Updated: 2026-09-23T14:29:57.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. South Africa and Australia are set to begin a three-match One Day International (ODI) series scheduled from September 24 to 30, 2026. The matches will take place in Durban, Johannesburg, and Potchefstroom, serving as a critical preparatory stage for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. South Africa’s bowling attack faces a severe injury crisis. Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out after sustaining a right hamstring strain during training and has been replaced by Lizaad Williams. Maphaka joins Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman on the sidelines, leaving the pace attack reliant on Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Duane Jansen, and Nkobani Mokoena. Temba Bavuma will lead the Proteas squad. Australia enters the series with momentum following a clean sweep against Zimbabwe. While captain Pat Cummins is expected to miss the opening match in Durban for workload management, Mitchell Marsh is slated to lead the side. The Australian squad features key players including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. The series opener at Kingsmead is anticipated to favor seamers, with the pitch expected to offer pace and bounce. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: South Africa hosts Australia in ODI cricket series South Africa hosts Australia in a three-match ODI series from September 24–30, 2026, serving as vital preparation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-hosts-australia-in-durban-for-odi-series-opener ### 2026-09-21: South Africa and Australia to begin ODI series in Durban South Africa and Australia will begin an ODI cricket series on 24 September 2026, starting at Kingsmead in Durban, as part of South Africa’s home summer preparations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-and-australia-to-begin-odi-series-in-durban --- Cite as: South Africa and Australia ODI series. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-africa-and-australia-odi-series