Under the lights, Australia and South Africa will square off in the third and final Twenty20 International on August 16th, 2025, at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns. The series is tied at one. Knowing that the winner will take the series by storm and march into the globe with a declaration of bragging rights, both countries are prepared and fully charged. Both nations are fully charged and ready, knowing the victor claims the series outright and strides into the world bragging rights proclamation. And this is no ordinary cricket match and this is a historic match. Not only is it the first men's T20 international to be staged in Cairns, but it also gives the Proteas a chance to break a 16-year drought of winning a multi-game T20I series against Australia.
Match Information—AUS vs. SA 3rd T20I
- Date: Saturday, 16th August 2025
- Time: 9.15 AM (UTC) / 7.15 PM (AEST)
- Venue: Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns, Australia
- Series Score: 1-1
- Win Probability: Australia 68%, South Africa 32%
- Format: T20I
The Series So Far—A Story of Two Games
Match 1 T20I—Australia Goes 1-0 Up
Australia made the ultimate start in Darwin with a very professional performance to go 1-0 up. They utilized a disciplined and skillful bowling attack, while the batting was led by Tim David, who smashed a half-century and guided them home comfortably.
Match 2 T20I – Brevis Gets it Done to Level the Series
Match number two at the Marrara Cricket Ground saw Dewald Brevis unleash his full potential, scoring a record-breaking 125 off 56 balls*, the highest T20I score by a South African. His innings guided the visitors to 218/7, and despite yet another quick-fire 50 from Tim David, Australia fell short, losing by 53 runs and having their nine-match winning streak come to an end.
Team Form & Analysis
Australia—Can They Regain Their Mojo?
Strengths:
Tim David’s explosive form (133 runs in 2 matches)
Ben Dwarshuis is leading the attack with 5 wickets in this series.
Weaknesses:
The top order has struggled, with Head, Marsh, and Green yet to fire.
In the second match, bowling lacked control (Nathan Ellis could be key in the next match).
Predicted XI:
Travis Head, Matthew Short, Mitchell Marsh (C), Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Sean Abbott/Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
South Africa—Smelling a Rare Series Win
Strengths:
Dewald Brevis is a match-winner.
Rabada & Ngidi's controlled spells
Kwena Maphaka’s thumbprint of wicket-taking power (7 wickets in this series)
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent top-order contributions apart from Brevis
Middle order has not delivered a major score exists
Predicted XI:
Ryan Rickelton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Aiden Markram (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, Tabraiz Shamsi
Head-to-Head – AUS vs SA T20Is
Matches Played: 27
Australia Wins: 18
South Africa Wins: 9
No Result: 0
Australia is clearly dominant, but the Proteas' win in Darwin may have given them the belief they needed to overcome this imbalance.
Pitch Report & Weather Report – Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns
Pitch:
Early swing and bounce for pacers, courtesy of the tropical heat
Batting will get easier as the pitch settles.
Possible grip for spinners through the middle overs
Short boundaries mean aggressive hitting will be rewarded—expect scores between 170 and 180.
Weather:
Warm & humid (26-28°C)
80% humidity with some dew may arrive later and assist chasing teams
No rain expected; a full match is expected.
Toss Prediction:
For both captains, I suspect they will want to bowl first when early conditions will favor the bowlers.
Betting Odds for the Match
Match Winner Odds:
Australia: 4/11o South Africa: 2/1
Top Batter Odds:
Tim David (AUS) – 9/2
Mitchell Marsh (AUS) – 10/3
Dewald Brevis (SA) – 7/2
Top Bowler Odds:
Adam Zampa (AUS) – 11/4
Ben Dwarshuis (AUS) – 3/1
Kagiso Rabada (SA) – 5/2
Key battles
Tim David vs. Kagiso Rabada – explosive bat vs. world-class pace
Dewald Brevis vs. Adam Zampa—a spin test for the young SA star
Powerplay Overs—Whoever wins the first six overs might determine the match.
Likely Top Performers
Best Batter: Tim David—two fifties in two matches, striking at 175+
Best Bowler: Ben Dwarshuis – swinging new ball & controlled death bowling
Match prediction
Although South Africa should be on a high around the momentum obtained in the first two matches, Australia should have the edge with a home advantage and batting deeper. It should shape up as a close encounter; however, our prediction is
Prediction: Australia to win and take the series 2-1 in cricket.
Betting Tips—AUS vs. SA
Back Australia to win; however, value can be found in SA at 2/1.
Bet on Tim David as Australia's top batter
Bet on a first innings total of 170+ if batting first.
History Awaits in Cairns
The series decider is more than just another match of cricket—it will mark either the continuation of Australia's 1996 run of dominance or a COVID-driven breakthrough by South Africa after a decade-long drought. With Tim David and Dewald Brevis both in top form, fireworks are assured.
