Australia vs South Africa Prediction: Take the 3/1 on David to go six mad again in 3rd IT20

A superb century from Dewald Brevis helped South Africa level the series at 1-1 so it's a decider at Cairns on Saturday, live on TNT Sports from 10:15. 

After picking two winners from two in his second T20 preview, Dan Thomas returns with his best bets as he brings us his Australia vs South Africa predictions for the 3rd IT20...

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

Aussie winning streak finally over  

In the second T20, Australia ran into an inspired South African display, and were never really in the hunt after Dewald Brevis' superb unbeaten 125 guided the visitors to a daunting 218 for 7. 

Tim David's quickfire 50 off 23 balls, featuring four fours and four sixes, kept the hosts in touch early, but regular wickets and mounting pressure saw them dismissed for 165 in 17.4 overs, ending a nine-game winning streak in T20s.  

The top order struggled to form solid partnerships, and the lower order couldn't accelerate against the controlled bowling of Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, and Lungi Ngidi, despite a breezy 26 from Alex Carey. 

Proteas get it together at the right time 

South Africa were superb in Darwin to level the series 1-1. Brevis' record-breaking 125, the highest by a South African in men's T20 internationals, blended clean striking and clever placement to dismantle Australia's attack.  

Useful knocks from Tristan Stubbs and Rassie van der Dussen added depth, before their bowlers ripped through Australia's line-up. Bosch took 3 for 20, Maphaka impressed again, and Ngidi's variations maintained pressure.  

Pitch & conditions 

The decider takes place at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns, which is hosting its first T20 international, although it has been used for Tests and ODIs. The surface usually offers early assistance for pacers, with swing and bounce aided by the tropical humidity. As the match wears on, the pitch tends to dry out and flatten, providing true bounce and making stroke play easier for batters. It's expected to be a dry, humid day, with temperatures reaching 25c. 

Key Odds  

Despite defeat at Darwin last time out, Australia remain heavy favourites here at 4/11 with South Africa rated a 2/1 shot. There may be a bit of value in backing the visitors at those prices.  

David has been clipped in to 9/2 to top score for Australia for the third match in a row but that looks like the bet in this market; certainly when compared to the 10/3 on offer for Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, neither of whom have got going in the series at the top of the order.  

Brevis is rated a 7/2 shot in the South Africa top batter market after that ridiculous knock last time out, just behind skipper Aidan Markram at 10/3. Stubbs has provided a couple of decent cameos so far and will have his backers at 5/1. 

On the bowling front, Adam Zampa is 11/4 favourite for the hosts, ahead of Ben Dwarshuis at 3/1 and it's Kagiso Rabada (5/2) and Maphaka (10/3) at the top of the market for South Africa.

*For all the latest and live Australia vs South Africa Odds for the 3rd IT20 then head over to betfred.com 

Best Bets 

We had an easy winner last time out by going over the total match wickets line and I'm surprised to see it's not been moved from 13.5, given 19 and 17 dropped in the previous two games, so we shall go back in at 5/6. 

David has been at his destructive best this series, with scores of 83 and 50, and he's hit 12 maximums along the way. We'll add the 3/1 on him to be clear Australia Top Six Hitter to our portfolio for the decider. 

Dan Thomas 2025 Cricket P/L:

• Staked: 20pts 
• Returned: 9.89pts 
• P/L: -10.11pts 

Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights