Hand-picked stories you can't miss
South Africa will face Australia in the third and final ODI of their three-match series on Wednesday, September 30, at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom. The Proteas have already secured the series after winning the first two matches by 67 runs and 32 runs respectively. However, with the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle underway, the dead rubber still presents an opportunity for South Africa to assess combinations and give valuable game time to players on the fringes of the XI.
The Proteas made four changes for the second ODI, bringing Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Duan Jansen and Lizaad Williams into the side. Ryan Rickelton was unavailable for personal reasons, while Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee were rested. The combination proved effective as Temba Bavuma and David Miller scored centuries before South Africa defended 365/9.
With the series already decided, South Africa could consider another change or two in Potchefstroom. Here is the predicted playing XI for the third ODI.
Quinton de Kock is likely to retain his place at the top of the order. The experienced left-hander has opened alongside Markram in the second ODI and remains an important part of South Africa’s plans despite the emergence of younger batters.
De Kock made 15 in the second game after being dismissed by Josh Hazlewood early. He will be keen to finish the series with a substantial contribution.
Aiden Markram should continue alongside de Kock after returning to the XI for the second ODI. His first-ball dismissal at the Wanderers was not the comeback he would have wanted, but South Africa are likely to give him another opportunity in Potchefstroom.
Markram also contributed with the ball in the second ODI, taking the wicket of Travis Head. His all-round ability makes him a valuable component of the side.
Temba Bavuma should continue to lead the Proteas and occupy the No. 3 position. The captain produced a superb 103 off 116 balls in the second ODI, anchoring the innings while David Miller provided the acceleration at the other end.
Bavuma’s century was his sixth in ODIs and helped South Africa recover after early wickets.
With the World Cup less than a year away, another substantial innings would further strengthen his position at the top of the order.
Matthew Breetzke is expected to retain his place after making a strong impression in the opening two matches. He scored a magnificent 112 in Durban and followed it with 34 from 28 balls in Johannesburg.
His ability to attack the new ball while also building partnerships has made him one of South Africa’s most promising ODI batters. Breetzke currently leads the Proteas’ run-scoring charts in the series.
David Miller is almost certain to retain his place after producing one of the innings of the series in Johannesburg. The left-hander smashed a career-best 142 off just 93 deliveries, including 12 fours and nine sixes.
Miller’s power-hitting transformed South Africa’s innings after they were in early trouble, and his ability to dominate the middle and death overs remains crucial to the team’s ODI plans.
Tristan Stubbs could continue at No. 6 after returning to the ODI XI in Johannesburg. He provides South Africa with another aggressive middle-order option and can also contribute with the ball if required.
With the series already won, Stubbs could benefit from another opportunity to establish himself in the 50-over setup.
Marco Jansen should retain his place as South Africa’s premier pace-bowling all-rounder. He played an important role in the first ODI with a 75-run knock and a wicket before contributing 19 runs and two wickets in Johannesburg.
His ability to bat at No. 7 gives South Africa significant depth, while his left-arm pace provides a different angle to the bowling attack.
Duan Jansen could get another opportunity after making history alongside his twin brother Marco in the second ODI. The pair became the first set of twins to play together for South Africa’s men’s team.
Duan provides another left-arm pace option and could be given an extended run as the Proteas continue to deal with several injuries in their fast-bowling department.
Bjorn Fortuin is likely to retain his place as a specialist left-arm spinner. He has played an important supporting role alongside Keshav Maharaj during the series and offers excellent control in the middle overs.
His ability to restrict the scoring rate could again prove useful against Australia’s aggressive batting lineup.
Keshav Maharaj has been one of South Africa’s standout bowlers throughout the series and should lead the spin department again. He took four wickets in the opening ODI and followed that with two more in Johannesburg.
His ability to create pressure through accuracy and subtle variations has been a major factor in South Africa’s success against Australia.
Lizaad Williams is expected to complete the XI after making an impact in the second ODI. He claimed 3/54 as Australia were bowled out for 333, playing a significant role in South Africa’s 32-run victory.
With several established South African quicks unavailable because of injuries, Williams has an opportunity to strengthen his case for a regular ODI spot.
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the international Matches.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the international Matches.
cricket
cricket