The One-Day International cricket series between Australia and South Africa continues in the early hours of Sunday. South Africa is coming off an 84-run victory in their Friday’s game. The match will take place at the prestigious Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Both teams have a chance to achieve a positive result, so it will be interesting to see how they approach the game. Let’s dive into the preview and offer predictions.
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Australia vs South Africa: Date and Time of the Match Start
- Match: Australia vs South Africa
- Date: Sunday, August 24th, 2025
- Kick-Off Time: 07:30 am (AEST)
- Stadium: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
Interesting Facts About Teams
Travis Head has scored 2794 runs in 74 ODI matches. He will be a good captaincy pick. He also picked up four wickets in the opening match of the ODI Series.
With the ball, Keshav Maharaj posted his best-ever ODI figures in Cairns and will be keen to follow up with similar returns in his 50th ODI.
Meanwhile, Aiden Markram has amassed 2453 runs in 78 ODI matches. He scored 82 runs in the previous match while opening the batting.
Weather Report before Match
The weather around Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is expected to be partly cloudy, with a temperature of 23 degrees. There is a 25% chance of rain, and the humidity will be at 78%. The pitch at the arena is expected to favour both batters and bowlers. It will also be the first time the teams are playing together on this pitch.
Australia vs South Africa: Chances of Winning
Australia is struggling to find its footing in recent One-Day International encounters after a less-than-acceptable performance in the opener. They went on to lose two of their recent matches to South Africa. Now they are in search of redemption in this third encounter.
South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, has had a decent record in recent ODIs, winning two and losing two in their last five matches. They will face the Australian team, led by Mitchell Marsh, in what promises to be another exciting contest. Fans can expect great value for their money.
Australia's chance of winning - 27%
South Africa's chance of winning - 73%
Australia Preview
Australia showed a promising start in the first ODI, but a strong batting display from South Africa set a challenging target of 297 runs for the hosts. Australia’s chase began well, but Keshav Maharaj’s five-wicket haul completely dismantled their middle order. His ten-over spell helped secure an easy win for South Africa. Australia will look to bounce back in the next game to keep the series alive.
In terms of individual performances, Josh Hazlewood went wicketless, but Ben Dwarshuis continued his strong form with 2/53. Adam Zampa, who received a demerit point for something caught by the stump mic, will be eager to make headlines for the right reasons.
Marsh was responsible for more than 44% of Australia’s runs in the first ODI, and all eyes will be on him, along with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, the top three who are expected to do most of the batting work in this ODI.
Key Players: Travis Head, Matt Short, Mitchell Marsh
Australia Players List
Travis Head, Matt Short, Mitchell Marsh (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Mitchell Owen, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Lance Morris, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
South Africa Preview
South Africa has won its fifth consecutive ODI series against Australia, with one game still to play. They secured the series with an 84-run victory in the second ODI. Proteas spinner Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect bowling action following his ODI debut against Australia. He now faces an ICC assessment.
South Africa’s top order did the job in the opening game, putting up big runs and ensuring a solid first innings score. This allowed the bowlers to apply pressure on Australia. At one point, things looked promising for the hosts at 60 without loss, but a disastrous collapse saw them slump to 89/6, with batters three through seven all dismissed for single-figure scores.
The South African skipper, Temba Bavuma, returned from injury to play in the first ODI and showed no discomfort, quickly finding his rhythm. His crucial half-century and key partnerships were vital in helping the Proteas set a formidable target. If Bavuma can score similarly in the next game, the win will likely be in South Africa’s favour.
All four of South Africa’s top batsmen scored between 33 and 82, but don't be surprised if Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis make up for missing out in the next match.
Key Players: Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis
South Africa Players List
Temba Bavuma (captain), Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Australia vs South Africa Head-to-Head
In the ODI format, both teams have faced each other in 112 head-to-head meetings. South Africa is the stronger of the two in this format with a record 57 victories. Australia has recorded 51 wins and tied thrice. Their latest fixture, which took place yesterday and ended in 98 runs for South Africa.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total - 111
- South Africa - 57
- Australia - 51
- Draw - 3
Who will win the match, Australia vs South Africa?
Using advanced computer power and data, Stats Insider has simulated the result of Sunday's Australia vs South Africa One-Day International match 10,000 times.
Our leading predictive analytics model currently gives South Africa a 73% chance of beating Australia in the One-Day International match of the 2025 season.
Australia vs South Africa Prediction
South Africa had a strong performance against Australia in their first ODI meeting and took it up a notch in the second ODI, winning by 84 runs. They have consistently been the better team in the ODI format. In the first match, Keshav Maharaj was brilliant with the ball, especially in the middle overs of the chase. His remarkable 5/33 off 10 overs played a key role in South Africa’s 98-run victory. With the pitch expected to favour the spinners, Maharaj could be crucial again for his side.
While South Africa may be feeling confident, Australia’s batting line-up is strong, and they are unlikely to suffer a second consecutive defeat. It’s worth considering backing the home side to level the series.
Prediction: Australia to Win
