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South Africa have finished at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table with eight wins from 12 Tests. After a series whitewash at home against Pakistan, South Africa will take on defending champions Australia in WTC 2025 final. However, the final is still a few months away. Before that, South Africa would like to prepare for the final showdown against Pat Cummins-led side with a one-off Test in UK to adapt to conditions against either Afghanistan or Ireland.
"We're going to try and get a Test match, possibly in the UK, against an Ireland or Afghanistan, whoever is free. And if unsuccessful, we'll obviously go out a couple of days earlier, and make sure we camp there really well, probably in Canterbury," said coach Shukri Conrad on SuperSport.
Both Afghanistan and Ireland were not a part of the WTC 2023-25 cycle. While Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe on January 6, Ireland played their last Test in July 2024. Coincidentally, Ireland's last Test win against Zimbabwe as well.
It will be interesting to see which team decides to face South Africa. Afghanistan don't have lethal red-ball pacers in the rank and Ireland are better-suited considering the conditions. Conrad said that if the one-off Test is not possible, they will adapt to the conditions by reaching early. However, they still have the option of playing a first-class match against any of the counties.
Can South Africa play a preparatory one-off Test against India?
Also, South Africa also have an option to contact the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, India's next assignment is a five-Test series on England soil. Rather than playing a practice game, India can play a one-off Test against South Africa on England soil which may end up benefitting both teams.
South Africa vs Australia head-to-head
South Africa and Australia have played 101 Tests against each other. South Africa have won 26, lost 54 whereas 21 ended in a draw. In the 21st century, South Africa have won 12 out of 36 Tests against Australia whereas four have ended in a draw. The last time these two teams went up against each other was during 2022-23 season. South Africa failed to win a Test on Australia tour. Their last clash was at the Sydney Cricket Ground which ended in a draw after Pat Cummins enforced follow-on as rain played spoilsport.
