In December 2020, South Africa's One Day International (ODI) against England was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] As a result, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) did look at the possibility of playing the series in Sri Lanka, or withdrawing from touring South Africa.[7] However, after discussions between both cricket boards, Sri Lanka Cricket's medical staff said they were pleased with the bio-security arrangements.[8]
South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 45 runs,[9] with Faf du Plessis scoring a career-best 199 runs.[10] South Africa won the second Test by ten wickets winning the series 2–0.[11]
Angelo Mathews was ruled out of Sri Lanka's squad after suffering an injury during the semi-finals of the 2020 Lanka Premier League tournament.[14] On 16 December 2020, Migael Pretorius was added to South Africa's Test squad.[15] Two days later, Dwaine Pretorius, Raynard van Tonder and Lutho Sipamla were also added to South Africa's squad.[16] On 22 December 2020, Beuran Hendricks and Keegan Petersen were withdrawn from South Africa's squad, after both players tested positive for COVID-19.[17] On the first day of the first Test, Dhananjaya de Silva suffered a grade two tear in left thigh, and was ruled out of Sri Lanka's squad for the rest of the tour.[18] On 28 December 2020, Kagiso Rabada was added to South Africa's squad for the second Test.[19] Two days later, Beuran Hendricks was reinstated to South Africa's squad for the second Test,[20] with Migael Pretorius being released due to a shoulder injury.[21]
World Test Championship points: South Africa 60, Sri Lanka 0.
Notes
^ abWhile five days of play were scheduled for each Test, the first Test reached a result in four days, and the second Test reached a result in three days.
Note: during the isolation of South Africa from international cricket between 1970 and 1991, there were seven unofficial tours (italicised below) by various teams, collectively known as the South African rebel tours.
