South Africa vs India 2021-22: CSA shift New Year's Test from Johannesburg to Cape Town

Cricket South Africa, on November 5, confirmed Cape Town as the venue for India and South Africa’s New Year’s Test, which was set to be hosted by Johannesburg as per the original itinerary. India will play three Tests, followed by as many ODIs and four T20Is on the tour, scheduled between December 17 to January 26.

The Wanderers stadium was initially set to host the first and third Test, with Centurion playing host to the second, although the strict bio-bubble rules in Johannesburg means the third Test will be now held at Newlands in Cape Town.

“CSA is excited to welcome India back to South Africa, which also significantly marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s first tour to India after re-entry into International Cricket in 1991,” Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket, said. “This tour affirms our unique relationship with the BCCI.”

“This tour comes at a fitting moment when Cricket South Africa, together with the people of the world celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 152nd birthday. We are indeed indebted to India for its support to our cricket efforts over the years. We are looking forward to hosting our guests for what promises to be nail-biting on-field encounters,” CSA Acting Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki said.

The Test series, a part of the second cycle of the World Test Championship, will be followed by ODIs starting from January 11 in Paarl, before subsequent encounters in Cape Town on January 14 and 16. The four T20Is follow on January 19 and 21 (both in Cape Town) and January 23 and 26 (both in Paarl).

South Africa last met India in a bilateral series in March 2020, with the first fixture washed out and the remainder of the series cancelled owing to the Covid-19 outbreak in India. The BCCI had later confirmed to host South Africa for three T20Is, but it has not been able to materialize yet in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and various clashes in the international calendar.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s summer will get underway with an ODI series against the Netherlands, which will be a part of the ICC ODI World Cup Super League. The three-match series will be played in Centurion between November 26 and December 1.