Australia vs South Africa: Watch Rugby & Cricket Live

Few rivalries span two sports, two hemispheres, and a century of competition quite like Australia vs South Africa, whether you’re planning your Saturday around a Rugby Championship test or staying up for a T20 under lights – this guide pulls together every confirmed TV channel and streaming platform for the 2025–2026 season across the UK, Ireland, and beyond. You’ll get verified schedules, broadcasters, and a clear picture of where the picture is less certain.

Most recent test rugby result (2025): Draw 24–24 at DHL Stadium, August 23 ·
Cricket matches remaining in SA tour of Australia 2025: 3 T20Is and 2 ODIs ·
Rugby Championship title holders: South Africa (2024) ·
Next scheduled rugby match: September 27, 2026 at Optus Stadium, Perth

This table summarises the key historical and current facts.

Is South Africa vs Australia on TV?

Yes, every Rugby Championship test and the ODI cricket series are carried by major UK broadcasters. The key is knowing which channel covers which sport.

Which UK TV channels broadcast Australia vs South Africa rugby?

• Sky Sports Action is the UK live TV channel for the South Africa vs Australia Rugby Championship match on 16 August 2025 (Sporting News UK).
• Every 2025 Rugby Championship match will air on Sky Sports Action in the UK, with some matches also on Sky Sports Main Event (What To Watch).

Which UK TV channels broadcast Australia vs South Africa cricket?

• The ODI series is on TNT Sports and Discovery Plus in the UK (Tom’s Guide).

How can I watch Australia vs South Africa live?

Streaming options differ by sport and region. Here’s how to get live coverage from the UK, Ireland, and Australia.

Watch live streaming on Discovery+

• Discovery+ carries TNT Sports for rugby coverage (Tom’s Guide).

Watch live streaming on Sky Go or Now TV

• Sky Go and Now TV provide access to Sky Sports Cricket for the ODI series (What To Watch).

Watch live on Stan Sport in Australia

• Stan Sport is the Australian streaming home for the 2025 Rugby Championship (Rugby World).
• 9Now is a free stream in Australia for Wallabies home games and Bledisloe Cup matches only (Rugby World).

Where can I watch Australia vs South Africa in Ireland?

Irish fans have fewer options but still reliable coverage through RTÉ and Premier Sports.

RTÉ broadcast schedule

• RTÉ typically broadcasts selected Ireland-relevant rugby matches (Sporting News UK).

Streaming options via Premier Sports

• Premier Sports also holds rights to Rugby Championship matches in Ireland (What To Watch).

What this means: Irish viewers can rely on RTÉ for free-to-air tests, but for full series coverage Premier Sports is the safer bet.

What time is the SA vs Australia rugby game?

Kick-off times vary by venue and time zone, but the next confirmed test has a fixed slot.

Upcoming Rugby Championship kick-off times

• The next scheduled rugby test is September 27, 2026 at 10:45 BST at Optus Stadium (Rugby World).
• Springboks vs Wallabies matches often kick off between 14:00 and 17:00 local time in South Africa, which is 13:00–16:00 BST (Sporting News UK).

Time zone conversions for UK, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia

• The ODI series times: 5:30 a.m. BST / 2:30 p.m. AEST (Tom’s Guide).

Why is the Australia vs South Africa match suspended?

Matches in both sports can pause for reasons ranging from weather to player safety.

Weather-related suspensions in cricket

• Cricket matches can be suspended due to rain, lightning, or poor light (Tom’s Guide).

Injury or safety stoppages in rugby

• Rugby matches may be temporarily suspended due to serious injury, weather, or security concerns (Sporting News UK).

The implication: knowing the possible interruptions helps you plan your viewing.

How to Watch: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify the sport – Rugby Championship or Cricket ODI/T20.
2. Check the date and time from the schedules above.
3. Choose your platform: Sky Sports/Now TV for rugby (UK), TNT Sports/Discovery+ for cricket (UK), Stan Sport for both in Australia, or Willow TV/Sling TV in the US (Tom’s Guide).
4. Subscribe if needed – most services require an active plan.
5. Set an alarm – early mornings for UK cricket fans.

Following these steps ensures you won’t miss a moment of the action across both sports.

Timeline: Key Dates Ahead

• August 2025 – Rugby Championship match: South Africa vs Australia ends in a draw (24–24) at DHL Stadium, Cape Town (Rugby World).
• September–October 2025 – South Africa cricket team tours Australia for T20I and ODI series (Tom’s Guide).
• September 27, 2026 – Next scheduled rugby test: Australia vs South Africa at Optus Stadium, Perth (Rugby World).

The pattern: matches continue to be scheduled into 2026, with rugby taking the lead.

What We Know and What’s Still Unclear

What this means: viewers should stay flexible as details solidify closer to match dates.

Expert Perspectives

“The 2025 Rugby Championship runs from 16 August to 4 October 2025.”

Rugby World (official tournament coverage)

“The 2025 Australia vs South Africa ODI cricket series is scheduled for 19, 22, and 24 August 2025.”

Tom’s Guide (consumer tech and streaming authority)

For UK and Irish viewers, the choice between rugby and cricket coverage is clear: Sky Sports carries the Rugby Championship, while TNT Sports handles the ODI series. If you’re after a single subscription that covers both, Stan Sport in Australia is the closest you’ll get — but you’ll need a VPN. The gap between the two sports’ broadcasters is unlikely to close before 2026, so plan accordingly.

Related reading

• BT Sport TV Guide – Live Football Schedule & Channels
• Africa Cup of Nations – Complete Guide and Winners List