South Africa vs England 2025: Watch ODI Series, Tests & Rugby

England and South Africa have a rivalry that spans cricket grounds and rugby pitches, and if you’re planning to catch the upcoming ODI series from Leeds or the next autumn international, you probably don’t want to spend your afternoon hunting down broadcast details. The 2025 ODI series kicks off on 2 September at Headingley, with Sky Sports holding the exclusive UK rights (Wisden – cricket statistics and analysis).

South Africa last won a Test series in England: 1935 ·
Next ODI series start date: 2 September 2025 at Headingley, Leeds ·
England tour to South Africa 2026/27: Three Tests and three ODIs (17 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027) ·
Recent Rugby World Cup meeting: South Africa beat England 16–15 on 21 October 2023 ·
England cricket TV rights: Sky Sports (exclusive UK) ·
English rugby union TV rights: ITV (selected matches, including Premiership)

Six key facts that shape the rivalry: one stands out — South Africa’s lone Test series victory in England remains a milestone nearly a century old.

The table below condenses the essential details across both sports.

Where can I watch the SA vs ENG ODI series?

Live streaming options for the 2025 ODI series

• UK: Sky Sports Cricket, plus streaming on Sky Go and NOW (Wisden – cricket statistics and analysis)
• South Africa: SuperSport channels 490, 212, 201 via DSTV app (Wisden – cricket statistics and analysis)
• USA/Canada: Willow.tv (Wisden – cricket statistics and analysis)
• Australia: Fox Cricket ch.501, Kayo Sports, Foxtel (Sporting News – sports news)
• India: Sony Sports and JioHotstar (TechRadar – technology and streaming advice)
• Many other countries: ICC TV free stream with English commentary (Tom’s Guide – consumer technology)

TV channels broadcasting the series in the UK

Sky Sports Cricket is the sole live broadcaster for England home matches. NOW offers a day pass from £14.99 for those without a subscription (TechRadar – technology and streaming advice).

Free and legal ways to watch the ODI series

• ICC TV: free live streams in over 50 territories (login via Google, Facebook, or email) (Tom’s Guide – consumer technology)
• ECB website and app: ball-by-ball coverage and video highlights
• BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: free audio commentary (BBC Sport – sports broadcasting authority)

The implication: UK fans face a paywall for live cricket, but free audio and highlights provide a solid alternative.

How to follow, listen and watch England’s Test series with South Africa?

Test match live streaming and TV coverage

England’s home Test series against South Africa typically takes place in July–August (2025 schedule TBC). Sky Sports Cricket carries all live Tests in the UK (Wisden – cricket statistics and analysis).

Radio and audio commentary options

• BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds: free ball-by-ball commentary (BBC Sport – sports broadcasting authority)
• TalkSPORT: highlights and analysis

Digital platforms for score updates and highlights

• ECB website and app: live scores, clips, and news
• ESPNcricinfo: detailed stats and commentary (ESPNcricinfo – cricket news and statistics)

The pattern: for Test cricket, your options boil down to a paid Sky Sports subscription or free audio coverage via the BBC.

Has South Africa ever won a test series in England?

The 1935 series – South Africa’s only series win in England

Yes. Under captain Herbert Wade, South Africa won a five-Test series 1–0 in 1935, with the decisive victory at Lord’s (Wikipedia – historical records). Since then, England have won nine home series against South Africa, with two drawn.

Other notable Test series results between the two teams

• 1960: England won 3–0 (first post-war series)
• 1994: England won 1–0 (return after apartheid ban)
• 2017: England won 3–1
• 2022: England won 2–1 (all results via ESPNcricinfo – cricket news and statistics)

The pattern: England’s home dominance is clear, but South Africa’s 1935 victory remains a historic outlier.

Is England rugby on ITV or BBC?

Current broadcast rights for England rugby union

ITV holds the exclusive rights to England’s home rugby union matches and the Premiership through summer 2028 (BBC Sport – sports broadcasting authority). BBC no longer carries live England matches.

Where to watch England vs South Africa rugby matches

• Autumn internationals (including South Africa) are on ITV and ITVX (ITV – rugby union broadcaster)
• The 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final was broadcast on ITV

How to access live rugby coverage for free

ITVX is free with registration and offers live streams of all ITV rugby. No subscription needed.

What this means: rugby fans get a free ride on ITVX, but cricket fans must pay Sky Sports or rely on radio and highlights.

When are the next South Africa vs England matches?

Cricket: 2025 ODI series and 2026/27 tour

• 2025 ODIs: 2 Sep (Leeds), 4 Sep (Lord’s), 7 Sep (Bristol) (Wisden – cricket statistics and analysis)
• England tour to South Africa 2026/27: 3 Tests, 3 ODIs (17 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027) (ECB – England and Wales Cricket Board official site)

Rugby: next match dates and fixtures

The next England vs South Africa rugby match is expected during the autumn internationals in November 2025, though exact dates are not yet published (World Rugby – international rugby union governing body).

How to stay updated on future fixtures

• ECB website for cricket
• World Rugby and Rugby Football Union for rugby
• ESPNcricinfo and BBC Sport for both sports

What this means: the next 18 months are packed with South Africa vs England action across both sports, but only the cricket dates are locked in.

Timeline signal

• 1935 – South Africa wins Test series in England (only time)
• 21 October 2023 – Rugby World Cup semi-final: South Africa 16–15 England
• 2–7 September 2025 – South Africa tour of England – 3-match ODI series
• 17 December 2026 – 15 January 2027 – England men’s tour to South Africa – 3 Tests, 3 ODIs

Quotes from the action

“We are delighted to confirm the itinerary for England Men’s tour to South Africa in 2026/27. It promises to be an exciting series for both teams.”

ECB press release (ECB – England and Wales Cricket Board)

“England have the talent to beat the Springboks, but they need to match their physicality for 80 minutes.”

Clive Woodward, former England rugby coach (reported via Facebook)

“This deal ensures that Premiership Rugby remains on free-to-air ITV for years to come.”

ITV and BBC Sport announcement (BBC Sport – sports broadcasting authority)

For UK sports fans, the decision is clear: you’ll need a Sky Sports subscription for cricket and ITVX for rugby — or be prepared to use a VPN to access free ICC TV streams. The alternative is missing the action as it happens.

For a complete schedule of upcoming matches, check out the detailed England v South Africa fixtures page.

Frequently asked questions