A Commonwealth XI cricket team toured South Africa in October and November 1959, playing three first-class matches. Captained by Denis Compton, the Commonwealth XI included several well-known players such as Tom Graveney, Brian Close, Bert Sutcliffe, Frank Tyson, Godfrey Evans, Roy Marshall, Bob Simpson and Ian Craig.
The first match was against Transvaal at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and this was drawn after Jonathan Fellows-Smith scored a century in each innings for Transvaal. Next, the Commonwealth XI defeated a Combined Transvaal XI by 3 wickets at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. In the third and final first-class game, the Commonwealth XI played a South African Invitation XI at the New Wanderers and saved a draw after having to follow-on.