AUS vs SA Prediction: Back runs and wickets as Aussies go ‘all guns blazing’

After a pulsating opener in Darwin where Australia extended their unbeaten T20 record to nine matches, the action resumes on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports from 10:15. 

Dan Thomas returns with a look at how the two teams are shaping up and his best bets as he brings us his Australia vs South Africa predictions… 

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

Attacking approach pays off for Aussies 

Australia extended their unbeaten T20 run to nine matches on Sunday, setting a new national record with a 17-run win that typified their "all guns blazing" ethos.  

Even at 75 for 6 in the eighth over, Mitchell Marsh's men refused to rein it in. Instead, middle-order powerhouse Tim David lit up the Marrara Stadium with a stunning 83 off 52 balls, clearing the ropes eight times and turning the match on its head with help from Ben Dwarshuis in a 92‑run stand. 

Since the last T20 World Cup, Australia's 'boundary-first' philosophy has helped them achieve a Powerplay strike rate of 195.92 - the best in the world -  albeit with the trade-off of frequent early wickets.  

Proteas lacking power  

South Africa had plenty of heart but noticeably lacked six-hitting power and middle-over acceleration. Their two sixes were dwarfed by Australia's 13, and four dropped catches - including a howler that reprieved David - undermined their cause.  

Ryan Rickelton's 71 and Tristan Stubbs' support in a 72-run stand gave them a sniff, but once Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood got to work in the middle overs, the chase lost momentum. Without a genuine finisher in the absence of David Miller, Markram's side found themselves unable to match the intensity of Australia's hitting. 

The silver lining was the performance of 19‑year‑old quick Kwena Maphaka, who claimed 4 for 20 in a brilliant spell. 

Pitch and conditions  

The Darwin pitch offered variable pace and some grip for the spinners, leading David to call it "two-paced" in the aftermath of game one. Bowlers who hit the seam hard were rewarded, which bodes well again for Hazlewood. 

The humid northern conditions could also aid swing early on, adding to the threat of the new-ball attack on both sides. The forecast is for a hot, sunny day, with temperatures expected to reach 31c.  

Key odds 

Australia are unsurprisingly hot favourites at 2/5 to seal the series, given their record streak, home advantage and superior batting depth. South Africa can be backed at 2/1. 

David is a tempting 7/1 to top-score for the hosts after his Darwin heroics, with the market favouring Travis Head (3/1) and Josh Inglis (4/1). Rickelton has been chalked up at 14/5 for South Africa following his composed innings under pressure, with Markram at 11/4. 

Hazlewood can be backed at 11/4 to be top Aussie wicket taker again, with Zampa available at 14/5, while Kagiso Rabada is the clear favourite for the visitors at 13/5, with Maphaka 7/2 to repeat his chart topping performance in game one.  

*For all the latest and live Australia vs South Africa Odds for the 2nd IT20 then head over to betfred.com 

Best Bets 

Australia's attacking approach was clearly evident in the first T20 and we'll use that as the basis for our bets for game two. We'll back the hosts to score more runs in the first six overs at 4/7 - they 'won' this battle by 71 runs to 48 last time out.  

And with the wicket offering plenty of assistance to both seam and spin, we'll also back over 13.5 wickets in the match at 5/6. A total of 19 fell in game one and wickets should fall regularly again as both sides focus on hitting the boundary. 

Dan Thomas 2025 Cricket P/L:

• Staked: 12.5pts 
• Returned: 4.01pts 
• P/L: -8.49pts 

Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights