India’s Under-19 cricket team will travel to South Africa for a three-match Youth ODI series in January 2026. The tour runs from January 3-7, 2026, with all matches at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. This series serves as final preparation before the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 begins on January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026 – Schedule
All three Youth ODIs will be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, which hosted the 2024 U19 World Cup semifinal, where India defeated South Africa by 2 wickets.
| Date | Match No. | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, January 3 | 1st Youth ODI | India U19 vs South Africa U19 | Willowmoore Park, Benoni | 1:30 PM |
| Sunday, January 5 | 2nd Youth ODI | India U19 vs South Africa U19 | Willowmoore Park, Benoni | 1:30 PM |
| Tuesday, January 7 | 3rd Youth ODI | India U19 vs South Africa U19 | Willowmoore Park, Benoni | 1:30 PM |
India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026 Squad
Please Note: Official squads have not been announced yet. The following are predicted lineups based on recent tours.
India Under-19 Squad
- Batters: Ayush Mhatre, Rahul Kumar, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Vihan Malhotra, and Yuvraj Gohil
- Wicketkeepers: Abhigyan Kundu and Harvansh Pangalia
- All-Rounders: Aaron George, BK Kishore, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel, Jeganathan Hemchudeshan, Khilan Patel, and Kishan Singh
- Bowlers: Aditya Rawat, Udhav Mohan, Kanishk Chouhan, and Naman Pushpak
The Indian Under-19 team played a three-match Youth ODI and two-match Youth Test against Australia Under-19 in September. They won all five matches on the tour.
South Africa Under-19 Squad
- Batters: Adnaan Lagadien, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, and Daniel Bosman
- Wicketkeepers: Kamo Phiri and Muhammed Bulbulia
- All-Rounders: Enathi Kitshini, Jason Rowles, Jorich van Schalkwyk, Paul James, and Vihan Pretorius
- Bowlers: Dayalan Boyce, JJ Basson, Bayanda Majola, and Ntando Soni
South Africa Under-19 played a tri-series against Bangladesh in Zimbabwe in July this year. Jorich van Schalkwyk scored the first-ever Youth ODI double century in the series. Muhammad Bulbulia was the second-highest run-scorer in the series. Bayanda Majola took 13 wickets in five matches and was the second-highest wicket-taker.
India and South Africa Head to Head
India and South Africa have played a total of 26 Youth ODI games against each other. The Indian Under-19 team has dominated the South African Under-19 team with 20 wins in these 26 matches.
| Total Matches | India Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 20 | 6 | 0 |
India has won the U19 World Cup five times (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022). South Africa won once in 2014. The 2024 semifinal at Willowmoore Park saw India chase 245 with 7 balls remaining.
India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026 Venue: Pitch & Conditions
Willowmoore Park, Benoni: Located on the Highveld at 1,500 meters altitude, offering pace and bounce. Fast bowlers get assistance throughout matches due to extra bounce.
Competitive scores range from 220-260 in Youth ODIs. Teams batting first should target 240-plus. Early January weather is warm with low rain chances. Morning sessions can be overcast, helping swing bowlers.
Match Preview & Predictions
India comes off successful England and Australia tours with balanced batting and bowling. South Africa has home advantage and players in exceptional form. Van Schalkwyk’s record-breaking 215, Bulbulia’s consistency, and Rowles’ all-round abilities make South Africa dangerous.
South Africa’s pace attack (Khitshini, Boyce, Majola) will be particularly effective on Benoni’s bouncy pitch. India’s spin duo (Kanishk Chouhan and Henil Patel) provides quality options.
Prediction: South Africa should win 2-1 with home advantage and form, though India’s overseas experience could secure one victory.
Where to Watch India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026?
- India: JioHotstar has previously shown U19 matches. Check BCCI announcements for confirmation.
- South Africa: SuperSport will likely broadcast all matches live on TV and streaming apps.
- International Viewers: Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel may stream matches in selected regions.
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Conclusion: India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026 Starts On January 3
This series presents unique challenges with South Africa’s home advantage at Benoni. Both teams use this as final World Cup preparation, with just eight days until the tournament begins. Don’t miss this series mark your calendar for January 3-7, 2026!
FAQs
Van Schalkwyk’s 215 off 153 balls is the first-ever double century in Youth ODI history. He hit 19 fours and 6 sixes, and days earlier scored 164* against Bangladesh, breaking South Africa’s U19 record.
Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi made their IPL debuts last season. They have been retained by their respective franchises for the upcoming season.
An elite program developing pacers to bowl over 140 km/h. Players like Bayanda Majola and Dayalan Boyce have trained here, strengthening South Africa’s pace attack.
Yes, Anvay is Rahul Dravid’s son. However, he has not been included in the squad for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup.
Minimizes travel, allows maximum practice time, and Benoni’s Highveld conditions mirror Zimbabwe’s World Cup venues. With just eight days before the World Cup, it conserves player energy.
