Australia vs South Africa Prediction: Back classy Proteas openers to set a platform in 2nd ODI

A spin masterclass from Keshav Maharaj inspired South Africa to a thumping win in the 1st ODI meaning it's a must-win game for Australia as the teams head to Mackay in the second of a three-match series. 

Dan Thomas returns with his best bets for Friday's match, live on TNT Sports from 06:30, as he brings us his Australia vs South Africa 2nd ODI predictions… 

Aussies in a spin 

After securing victory in the T20 series, Australia were fancied to follow on with ODI success, but a devastating five-wicket haul from Keshav Maharaj exposed their frailties against slow bowling and turned what looked like a manageable chase into a collapse.  

Chasing what was an over-par 296, Mitch Marsh and Travis Head got the Aussies off to a solid start with a partnership of 60 but it was all downhill from there with Marsh losing partner after partner as he valiantly fought on to 88 and they were skittled for 198 

Head snaffled four South African wickets with his part-time off-spin but the absence of a frontline specialist left them short of variety when the surface began to grip. Captain Marsh admitted post-match that his batters were caught off-guard by how much the ball turned. 

A confident start for Proteas 

South Africa will take plenty of confidence from not only Maharaj's brilliance but also from the calm batting contributions of captain Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram. Their ability to negotiate Australia's new-ball threat in Cairns laid the groundwork for the spinners to dictate terms later in the contest. 

The Proteas may once again lean heavily on slow bowling, but a note of uncertainty has crept in: off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who featured in Cairns, has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first ODI.  

With Wiaan Mulder providing solid seam support alongside Kagiso Rabada, the visitors have the balance to trouble Australia again if conditions allow. 

Pitch & conditions 

The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is hosting a men's ODI for the first time since 1992, when India and Sri Lanka managed only two balls before rain intervened. That lack of history makes the ground something of an unknown, but more recent evidence comes from three women's ODIs between Australia and India in 2021. Each match was won by the team bowling first: Australia chased down 275 and 226, while India successfully overhauled 265.  

Conditions are set fair, with warm sunshine and low chances of rain and the pitch is likely to be dry, so spinners could again influence proceedings. 

Key odds 

Australia have been pushed out in the market after defeat in the opener, but they remain strong favourites at 1/2, with South Africa clipped in from 15/8 to 13/8 for this one.  

Head is 10/3 favourite to top score for the Aussies, with Marsh 7/2 to repeat his top bat honours from the first ODI. Bavuma and Markram were imperious in the opener and they top the market for the tourists at 10/3 and 7/2. Mulder hit some useful runs down the order in Cairns and may be worth a look at 14/1. 

He largely missed out on the fun in the first match, picking up just one wicket, but Adam Zampa remains favourite in the Australia top bowler market, ahead of Josh Hazelwood (7/2). Head is 10/1 for a surprise repeat. For the Proteas Lungi Ngidi and Maharaj are joint 14/5 favourites.  

*You can check out all the latest and live Australia vs South Africa Odds for the 2nd ODI over on betfred.com

Best Bets

We prefer the tourists at the prices to win the match, but the first ODI may have been an outlier on a spinning track, so it's a watching brief for this one. 

Instead, we'll be backing the solid Bavuma and Markram to outscore Head and Marsh at Evens. The latter pair have been in good nick, but they are more liable to play a loose shot given their attacking approach in what is a must-win game for the hosts.  

Dan Thomas 2025 Cricket P/L:

• Staked: 25.5pts 
• Returned: 19.21pts 
• P/L: -6.29pts 

Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights