The Cricketer provides all the information over who, what, where, when, why, which channel and how wet it will be ahead of the two-Test series...
Two stand-alone Tests between South Africa and Sri Lanka, which make up part of the ongoing World Test Championship.
FIRST TEST: Supersport Park, Centurion (Saturday, December 26 - December 30, 8am GMT, 10am local time)
SECOND TEST: Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (Sunday, January 3 - Thursday January 7 8am GMT, 10am local time)
Even by the standards set by 2020, South African cricket has endured a woeful year in and away from the middle. Gross mismanagement at board room level has led to months of uncertainty over the direction of the sport and undermined a senior team trying to move on from the departure of several established names.
A period of relative tranquillity appeared to be in the offing when the government-approved interim board was finally approved by the Cricket South Africa members council on the eve of England's tour last month. That move follows a total overhaul behind the scenes including the exit of disgraced chief-executive Thabang Moroe.
Had the country's government intervened it could even have led to action by the ICC, who prohibit such influence. The latest update has seen acting CEO Kugandrie Govender suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. The soap opera continues.
On the field, there has barely been an improvement in fortunes. After losing the T20 series 3-0 to England, the ODIs were pulled amid Covid-19 fears leading to concerns over this series, the tour to Pakistan and the arrival of Australia.
Rassie van der Dussen will be a key figure for The Proteas
As things stand the two Tests will go ahead though concerns have not been eased by two South Africa players withdrawing with coronavirus. That leaves them with a 16-man squad for the Tests, after the remainder of the group returning negative results.
Quinton de Kock has been installed as Test captain following his white-ball elevation but already he is distancing himself from the position on a full-time basis. There will also be a strain on the pace attack, with Kagiso Rabada and Dwaine Pretorius out of at least the first Test.
Migael Pretorius, Sarel Erwee, Kyle Verreynne and Glenton Stuurman have all earned maiden Test call-ups adding to the feeling this is a squad already stretched to breaking point before the series has begun.
South Africa's squad: Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius
One of the last full members to return to action following the enforced break due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sri Lanka have waited patiently since England's tour was called off in March.
Naturally, it has been a quiet build-up for Sri Lanka, who are without Angelo Mathews for the South Africa Tests, though he could return to face England.
The much-delayed Lanka Premier League offered players an opportunity to shake off the ring-rust. Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis will be encouraged by their performances. But everything is far from perfect.
Five members of the 22 have never played Test cricket before, captain Dimuth Karunaratne has been totally inactive and their most capable player is unavailable. Thisara Perera is among three players back in from the cold. It is a miss-mash of a touring party.
Wanindu Hasaranga comes off the back of an impressive Lanka Premier League campaign
The hope is that for all the questions that need answering, the disarray their hosts are currently plunged in gives them a foothold. Sri Lanka's series win in South Africa in February 2019 was a historic moment. A follow-up is not out of the question.
Sri Lanka's squad: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Santhush Gunathilake, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
In the UK, Sky Sports Cricket will be showing live coverage of both Tests from 8am GMT.
In South Africa, the Supersport network will pick up the series. Sri Lanka supporters can watch their team from home on Channel Eye.
Fans in India can watch the Tests on Star Sports 1 and 1 HD, as well as Disney + Hotstar.
Fox Sports have an agreement to show South Africa matches until the 2023-24 and will take up coverage of the Tests in Australia.
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