On Thursday, September 24, Australia and South Africa will kickstart the three-match ODI series. Kingsmead Stadium in Durban will host the two teams for the series opener.
The Men in Yellow return to the Rainbow Nation for a bilateral series after 2 years. The last tour turned out to be epic because the Proteas were down and out in the first two matches and won the last three to clinch the series 3-2.
For the upcoming series, both teams have named a strong squad because it will also serve as a practice ground for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will take place in the Rainbow Nation itself.
Ahead of the 1st ODI, both teams have dealt heavy blows. For Australia, they will be without Pat Cummins, who will miss the opening match to prioritise Test cricket. For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ottniel Baartman, and Kwena Maphaka won’t be available because of injuries.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on the Kingsmead pitch report and Durban’s weather report for Australia vs South Africa 1st ODI.
Kingsmead Pitch Report for AUS vs SA 1st ODI, 2026
Criterion
Data
Matches played
47
Matches won by team batting 1st
22
Matches won by team batting 2nd
18
Tied/NR
1/6
Average runs per over
4.85
Average score batting 1st
231
(Kingsmead Stadium ODI stats)
As the stats suggest, a total of 47 ODIs have been played at the Kingsmead stadium. Teams batting first have won 22 ODIs, while the team batting 2nd has 18 wins under their belt. The average score at this venue is 231.
Durban offers a typical South Africa surface, full of bounce and pace. The seamers will have a lot of say early on in the match, which is why fans shouldn't expect a high-scoring affair. As the match progresses, the pitch gets easier for the batters to get going.
The iconic venue in South Africa will host an ODI match after six years and first between the Proteas and Australia in 10 years. There is not a much difference between team batting first and second, so the toss isn't much relevant here.
Durban Weather Report for SA vs AUS 1st ODI, 2026
Criterion
Details
Temperature (in degrees Celsius)
26°C
Wind
S 13 km/h
Cloud cover
31%
Probability of precipitation
19%
It will be a bright sunny day in Durban on Thursday because the weather forecast by accuweather predicts a cricket-friendly day. There are no sign of rain and only 19% probability of precipitation is predicted.
Further, 31% cloud cover will be there helping the seamers to get the early swing and nip the ball in and away from the batters. Overall, it will be a good day of cricket and temperature set to soar upto 26°C.
Conclusion
Thursday weather promises a great day of cricket. South Africa will be disappointed with the recent injuries because they lack depth in the bowling department and quality seamers like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi would have been lethal here.
Nonetheless, given there is no rain prediction, the team that wins the toss might actually look to bat first.
Kingsmead Stadium, Durban - (Source: AFP)
