England vs South Africa Prediction: Two to back at 7/1 to fire at Old Trafford in 2nd IT20

The second T20 on Friday is a must-win for England after South Africa went 1-0 up in what Harry Brook described as a "a bit of a shambles of a night" in rainy Cardiff. 

Dan Thomas takes a look at the best bets for the match, live from Old Trafford on Sky Sports from 18:30, as he brings us his England vs South Africa IT20 predictions… 

*You can check out all of the Cricket Odds available on offer from us at betfred.com

Hosts looking to bounce back 

England would have been hoping to take the momentum of a record breaking ODI win in the third match of the 50-ball action into the T20 series, but the Welsh weather put paid to that. While defeat is never good, it's hard to read too much into a 7.5 over versus 5 over whack in the drizzle. 

There were some positives to take for Harry Brook's men as Jos Buttler continued his good white ball form, top scoring with 25, and Luke Wood - a late sub for Jofra Archer - bowling well at the top, taking two wickets with his left-arm swing.  

The returning Sam Curran also showed a glimpse of what he can do, taking a wicket with his first ball and scoring a six off his first ball faced.  

Archer, who was rested for safety reasons in Cardiff, will likely return to the XI, probably for Liam Dawson who was drafted in to support Adil Rashid.  

Proteas showing their muscle 

South Africa probably have the best batting line-up in world cricket for a reduced overs match with huge power throughout the ranks and their big hitters had some fun in Cardiff. 

Skipper Aidan Markram set the tone, scoring 28 in 14 at the top of the order before Dewald Brevis - fresh off scoring 125 in a T20 in Australia - smashed 23 off 10, with three sixes, and Donovan Ferreira 25 off 11, also with three maximums.  

With the ball, Marco Jansen was unplayable at times as he bowled rockets from Peter Crouch height, and England were never really in contention for chasing 69 in their five overs.  

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj tweaked his groin in the warm-up in Cardiff and is an injury doubt for this one.  

Key odds 

The traders aren't taking any notice of the weather-affected opener and the match odds prices remain the same, with England at 4/6 and South Africa a 6/5 chance. It's hard to back the hosts at odds-on prices, but they remain a decent outfit in this format so it's a market we'll leave alone. 

Buttler is the 14/5 favourite to top score for England, with Phil Salt at 7/2 and Brook 4/1. As Jamie Pacheco noted in his preview of the opener, Tom Banton is a big price if he opens at 7/1. The Somerset man was pushed down the order because of the reduced overs in Cardiff but he's likely to come out with Salt if selected.  

Markram (10/3), Brevis and Ryan Rickelton (both 7/2) top the market for the visitors, but Ferreira catches the eye at 7/1. Anyone who watched the Oval Invincibles last month can testify to his ability to score very quickly down the order.  

*For all the latest and live England vs South Africa Odds then head over to betfred.com 

Best Bets:

Buttler was a class above in the rain in Cardiff but he's a touch short to top score, so we'll back him to beat his runs line of 24.5 as the main selection. And then we'll split stakes on Banton and Ferreira top scoring for their sides - the prices are too big to be ignored.  

Dan Thomas 2025 Cricket P/L:

• Staked: 35pts 
• Returned: 28.83pts 
• P/L: -6.17pts 

Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights