The Boxing Day Test will return to SuperSport Park when South Africa host England in the opening Test of the four-match series, from Thursday 26 December.
The fixture kick-starts the international summer, which will also see the Standard Bank Proteas go up against England in three ODIS and three T20s. SuperSport Park will stage the 3rd KFC T20 International on Sunday, 16 February (14:30 start).
The announcement follows SuperSport Park’s maiden Boxing Day Test last year, between South African and Pakistan, which witnessed an unforgettable sold-out opening day.
“We are highly excited to be hosting the Boxing Day Test once again, as we aim to cement the Test as a firm fixture on the cricket calendar,” said SuperSport Park Chief Executive Dr Jacques Faul.
The last time the two sides met in the red-ball arena in Centurion, South Africa enjoyed a memorable 280-run victory over the tourists.
“There is a long-standing tradition of hosting England at SuperSport Park, with Centurion’s very first international Test having been played between these two nations back in 1995.
“England tours are synonymous with good crowds, and we are looking forward to the prospect of hosting the Barmy Army. We are expecting a high demand for tickets, therefore we encourage local fans to secure their tickets once the on-sale date is announced.” added Faul.
“This will be a huge summer both for our Standard Bank Proteas, who are currently ranked in the top three in all three formats, and for our fans who can look forward to action-packed and top-quality entertainment against two of the powerhouses of world cricket,” said Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Thabang Moroe.
“The Test matches will take on particular significance as this will be our first home series in the ICC World Test Championship following our away series in India in October. I am delighted also to announce that we will be working closely with SA Tourism around the Test host venues of Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg to ensure that this series creates a win-win situation both for cricket and the South African economy.”
Ticket on-sale dates are yet to be confirmed.
