South Africa vs Australia: match preview on 27 September 2026

South Africa are favourites to take the series after winning the opener in Durban by 67 runs, and their momentum carries into this second ODI on 27 September. South Africa won the toss and batted first, posting 297 before restricting Australia to 230. They have not lost a match in five and are unbeaten at home in this period, while Australia carry the weight of a defeat and a missing player in Alex Carey.

South Africa won the toss and batted first, posting 297 before restricting Australia to 230. Australia lost by 67 runs.

South Africa's form across five matches is a clean sweep: five victories, no draws, no defeats.

Australia's record over the same span shows four wins and one loss, with the defeat coming at South Africa's hands. They won three consecutive matches against Zimbabwe in Harare — 294-235, 356-272, and 272-271 — before losing to South Africa. Their loss margin to South Africa was 67 runs. Nathan Ellis took 36 runs in one of the Zimbabwe matches, and Josh Inglis scored a century in another, but neither performance carried through to Durban.

The head-to-head record over the past year shows six matches. South Africa won four, Australia won two. The biggest victory came in August 2025 when Australia posted 431 against South Africa's 155. Since then, South Africa have won three of the last four meetings. The series is now 1-0 to South Africa, and they need one more victory to seal it.

Jack Edwards is making his debut for Australia. Mitchell Marsh captains the visitors, while Andre Esterhuizen leads South Africa. Alex Carey's absence from the squad means Australia lose an experienced batsman and wicketkeeper.

Australia need a performance closer to their 431-155 from August 2025 to turn things around, and that seems unlikely given their current form.