Introduction
There is still drama, passion, and excellent entertainment to be found in the one-day international rivalry between South Africa and Australia. After South Africa’s emphatic 98-run victory in the 1st ODI in Cairns, the spotlight now shifts to Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena for the second game of this three-match series. The Proteas lead 1-0, and a win here will seal the series, while the Aussies are desperate to bounce back and level things.
Match Details: Australia vs South Africa 2nd ODI 2025
- Match: Australia vs South Africa, 2nd ODI
- Series: South Africa tour of Australia, 2025
- Date: Friday, August 22nd, 2025
- Time: 04:30 AM (UTC)
- Venue: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, Australia
- Win Probability: Australia 64% | South Africa 36%
- Venue: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
The second ODI will be held in the Great Barrier Reef Arena, making local history as the first international game to be played at this beautiful venue. The strip normally rewards quicks early on, providing comfortable carry, but the second half always favors spin and subtle variations of slower balls, so anticipate the batsmen to change their plans as the day progresses.
Ideal first-innings score: 300+
Toss prediction: Teams will want to bowl first due to dew and the pitch relaxing under lights.
X-Factor: Spinners could dominate the middle overs.
Weather Forecast
The conditions in Mackay look promising for cricket.
Temperature: Around 23–25°C
Humidity: 78%
Rain probability: 25% (showers possible but unlikely to disrupt play).
Humid conditions can favor spinners.
Head-to-Head Record: Australia vs. South Africa in ODI
One of the fiercest ODI rivalries in cricket history is that between South Africa and Australia.
Total ODIs played: 111
Australia wins: 51
South Africa wins: 56
Tied: 3
No result: 1
South Africa holds a slight edge historically, and their recent form gives them confidence going into this match.
Current Form and Series Recap
Australia’s Form
Lost the 1st ODI by 98 runs in Cairns.
Last ODI before this series: defeat against India in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final.
Won the T20I series against South Africa 2-1 before ODIs.
Concerns: Middle-order collapse vs spin, lack of finishing power.
South Africa’s Form
Led the first ODI with both bat and bowling.
They have won three of their last five ODIs.
Strengths: Balanced lineup with good top-order batting, quality spinners, and fierce pacers.
Weakness: inconsistent lower middle order.
Australia Team Preview
Australia enters the must-win match under siege. Their batting collapse in the first ODI exposed their struggle against spin. Mitchell Marsh put up a heroic 88, but they only managed to collapse for 198, chasing 297.
Key Players for Australia
Mitchell Marsh (C): Scored 88 in 1st ODI; Australia’s backbone in the middle order.
Travis Head: Aggressive opener and surprise 4-wicket taker in the opener.
Adam Zampa: Leg-spinner with the ability to exploit Mackay’s slowing pitch.
Probable Playing XI (Australia)
Travis Head
Mitchell Marsh (C)
Marnus Labuschagne
Cameron Green
Josh Inglis (WK)
Alex Carey
Aaron Hardie / Cooper Connolly
Nathan Ellis
Ben Dwarshuis
Adam Zampa
Josh Hazlewood
South Africa Team Preview
The Proteas’ performance in Cairns was near-perfect. Aiden Markram (82) and Temba Bavuma (half-century) gave them a strong platform, while Keshav Maharaj’s five-wicket haul dismantled Australia’s batting order. Without Rabada, their bowling still looked sharp, with Burger and Ngidi providing the pace punch.
Key Players for South Africa
Aiden Markram: In sublime form at the top of the order.
Temba Bavuma (C): Inspirational leader and consistent scorer.
Keshav Maharaj: Currently No. 1 ODI bowler in ICC rankings; destroyed Australia in 1st ODI.
Probable Playing XI (South Africa)
Aiden Markram
Ryan Rickelton (WK)
Temba Bavuma (C)
Matthew Breetzke
Tristan Stubbs
Dewald Brevis
Wiaan Mulder
Senuran Muthusamy
Keshav Maharaj
Nandre Burger
Lungi Ngidi
Key Battles to Watch
Mitchell Marsh vs. Keshav Maharaj
Marsh looked solid in Cairns, but Maharaj’s variations will test his patience again.
Aiden Markram vs. Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood’s accuracy vs. Markram’s attacking stroke play could decide the powerplay momentum.
Dewald Brevis vs. Adam Zampa
Young Brevis loves taking on spinners, but Zampa’s guile could challenge his shot selection.
Pitch & Toss Analysis
If Australia bats first, expect a score of 290-300.
If South Africa bats first: Likely around 280–295.
Key factors for success in middle-overs cricket include batting and spin control.
Probable Best Performers
Best batter: Temba Bavuma (South Africa).
Best bowler: Keshav Maharaj (South Africa).
Travis Head (AUS) is a dark horse player with both bat and ball.
Betting Insights & Match Prediction
If Australia sets the total, expect them to post somewhere between 290 and 300, then defend that lead to victory by more than 40 runs thanks to tough middle-overs bowling and clever variations. If the Proteas bat first, target the 285 to 295 range and chase down late with the quicks, clinching the match by 30 to 40 runs through discreet late-order acceleration. I lean toward the latter scenario, with a minor total that enables the spinners to put Australia back under scrutiny and the chase to equal a steamroll and hence, the team will claw back and win, leveling the series 1-1.
Cricket Betting Tips: AUS vs. SA 2nd ODI
Toss Winner: South Africa
Match Winner: Australia (close contest expected)
Top Batter: Matthew Breetzke (SA), Alex Carey (AUS)
Top Bowler: Keshav Maharaj (SA), Nathan Ellis (AUS)
Most Sixes: Josh Inglis (AUS), Dewald Brevis (SA)
Player of the Match: Keshav Maharaj (SA) / Mitchell Marsh (AUS)
Betting Odds from Stake.com

Final Analysis & Closing Thoughts
The second One-Day International between Australia and South Africa in Mackay appears to be a thrilling match. The Proteas come with confidence after defeating Australia on the road in Cairns, but Australian teams seldom lose consecutive home games in 50-over cricket. It creates the backdrop for a dramatic duel, where the spin in the middle overs and the runs from the first powerplay are crucial in determining the key moments.
Our forecast is that the home team will come together and win, but the anticipated drama on the scoreboard, shifts in momentum, and important overs will definitely keep fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game. Three markets offer delectable value for the punters: total runs in the powerplay, top home batter, and the leading wicket-taker. Keep a sharp eye on Maharaj, Bavuma, and Marsh for specials.
Australia vs. South Africa 2nd ODI Prediction: a narrow home win, maybe 20 to 30 runs.
Australia to win and level the series 1-1.