South Africa and Australia begin their three match ODI series on Thursday the 24th of September at Kingsmead in Durban. Both sides enter the contest following dominant series victories against lower tier opposition, with the Proteas having swept Namibia and Australia arriving after winning all three matches in Zimbabwe. We look at the game from a betting angle below.
Outright Betting Update
Australia are favourites to win the series priced at 1.60 with South Africa trading at 2.20.
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SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa enter the series in decent form after completing a comfortable 3-0 whitewash of Namibia earlier this month in what was their 1st ODI action of 2026.
They began the series with a 99 run victory (DLS) before producing an even more dominant display to win the second ODI by 157 runs.
The Proteas completed the clean sweep with a nine-wicket victory in the final match on the 13th of September.
Australia will provide a considerably tougher challenge though and South Africa would perhaps have hoped for a more challenging build up.
Temba Bavuma returns to captain an experienced batting lineup featuring Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Tony de Zorzi. Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs provide further depth, while Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch offer valuable options with both bat and ball.
The bowling attack contains plenty of variety through Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin and Kwena Maphaka. Duan Jansen has replaced Ottneil Baartman, while Lungi Ngidi has also withdrawn from the squad.
AUSTRALIA
Australia arrive in South Africa carrying strong momentum after completing a 3-0 series victory over Zimbabwe. They won the opening match by 59 runs before securing an 84 run triumph in the second encounter and completing the whitewash with a narrow one-wicket victory on the 20th of September.
That result continued Australia’s recovery following a difficult tour of Bangladesh in June. They lost the opening two matches of that series by 86 runs and five wickets respectively before avoiding a clean sweep with a tense one-wicket victory in the final ODI.
Mitchell Marsh captains a powerful squad that includes Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis. Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly add further depth to the batting unit, while highly rated youngster Oliver Peake has also been included.
Australia’s greatest strength will likely be their fast bowling department. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood provide vast experience with Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake offering further pace options. Adam Zampa remains their leading spin threat through the middle overs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
South Africa have enjoyed the upper hand in recent ODI meetings, winning six of the last ten encounters between the sides. The Proteas wonby 134 runs in the 2023 World Cup before Australia responded with a narrow three-wicket win in the semi-final.
The sides last met during a three match ODI series in Australia in August 2025. South Africa secured the series by winning the opening two matches by 98 runs and 84 runs respectively, although Australia responded emphatically with a record 276 run victory in the final encounter.
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BETTING – click here to bet
South Africa 2.15
Australia 1.69
I am tempted by South Africa at current odds but will stick with top bat and bowler plays for now and will keep an eye on the in-running prices.
SUGGESTED BETS
Top South Africa Batter – Quinton de Kock at 4.50
Quinton de Kock brings considerable experience to the South African top order and is capable of taking control of the match during the opening stint of the game. With the benefit of playing in familiar home conditions, I think the left hander is a strong selection to finish as South Africa’s leading run scorer, although he does come in cold having played no part in the Namibia tour.
Top Australia Bowler – Mitchell Starc at 3.65
Mitchell Starc remains one of Australia’s most dangerous wicket taking options in the ODI format. His ability to swing the new ball and return during the closing overs should create several opportunities for the Australian side and I think he can top the bowling charts in a humid Durban environment. Like De Kock he comes in fresh having sat out the Zimbabwe tour.
Note: All odds are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
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