India, Oct. 8 -- The hardest part is already behind them. South Africa know what it takes to become world champions. They know what it feels like to win a Test series in India too-and not merely survive it. Last year, they walked into one of cricket's most unforgiving arenas and walked out 2-0 winners, with Kolkata and Guwahati providing the sort of performances that can alter a team's sense of itself. Now they get to come home.

Australia are first, England follow in December. Two of the Big 3 in Test cricket are set to arrive in South Africa in successive tours, just as the country's grounds reopen after their upgrades ahead of the 2027 World Cup, at a time of the year that generally doesn't witness much cricket. It's an unusually good ...