After a convincing defeat in the first ODI at Cairns, Australia finds itself in a must-win situation. South Africa dominated the opener, posting 296 runs before bowling Australia out for just 198, securing a massive 98-run victory. The series now moves to Mackay, where both teams will face unknown conditions at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
This match becomes important for Australia as they look to level the series, while South Africa aims to secure their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series victory over Australia.
Australia vs South Africa 2nd ODI Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Australia vs South Africa ODI Series 2025 (2nd ODI) |
| Date | Thursday, August 22, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM Local |
| Venue | Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay |
Recent Form Analysis
Australia (Last 5 ODI Matches)
| Match | Opposition | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI vs South Africa | South Africa | Lost | 98 runs |
| Champions Trophy Semi-Final | India | Lost | 4 wickets |
| Champions Trophy | Afghanistan | No Result | – |
| Champions Trophy | England | Won | 5 wickets |
| Australia tour of Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Lost | 174 runs |
South Africa (Last 5 ODI Matches)
| Match | Opposition | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI vs Australia | Australia | Won | 98 runs |
| Champions Trophy Semi-Final | New Zealand | Lost | 50 runs |
| Champions Trophy | England | Won | 7 wickets |
| Champions Trophy | Australia | Abandoned | – |
| Champions Trophy | Afghanistan | Won | 107 runs |
Australia’s struggles continue with six losses in their last seven completed ODIs, while South Africa’s convincing win in Cairns extends their strong recent form. The Proteas showed excellent balance between bat and ball in the series opener.
Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 ODI Meetings)
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2025 | Cairns | South Africa won by 98 runs |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Rawalpindi | Match Abandoned |
| Nov 16, 2023 | Kolkata | Australia won by 3 wickets |
| Oct 12, 2023 | Lucknow | South Africa won by 134 runs |
| Sep 17, 2023 | Johannesburg | South Africa won by 122 runs |
South Africa now leads the recent encounters 3-1, having secured another dominant victory in Cairns.
Pitch Analysis and Predicted Score
Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay will be largely unknown territory for both teams. The venue last hosted a men’s ODI in 1992, with only two balls bowled due to rain. Recent women’s ODIs at the venue saw the chasing team win all three matches, suggesting the pitch might favor teams bowling first.
Key Stats:
- Women’s ODIs: Teams batting second won 3/3 matches
- Recent List A cricket produced high-scoring games
- Cameron Green described the pitch as looking “like a beauty”
- Strong south-east breeze expected to influence play
The first ODI at Cairns showed that bowlers can dominate if conditions assist them. Maharaj’s five-wicket haul demonstrated how Australians struggle against spin.
- Toss Factor: Given the trend at this venue teams would likely prefer to bowl first and chase.
- Predicted Score Range: 260-300 runs
Players to Watch in Aus vs SA 2nd ODI
Australia
 |  |  |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Mitchell Marsh | Josh Hazlewood |
- Marnus Labuschagne: Under immense pressure after his dismissal for just 1 run in Cairns. His ODI form has been concerning, averaging only 15.22 in his last nine innings. A big score is desperately needed to cement his position.
- Mitchell Marsh: The captain showed fighting spirit with 88 runs in the first ODI.
- Josh Hazlewood: The pace spearhead needs to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball, especially after South Africa’s strong start in Cairns where they posted 56 runs in the first powerplay.
South Africa
 |  |  |  |
| Keshav Maharaj | Aiden Markram | Temba Bavuma | Dewald Brevis |
- Keshav Maharaj: The star of the first ODI with career-best figures of 5/33. His left-arm spin proved game-changing against Australia’s right-handed batters, and he’ll be key once again.
- Aiden Markram: Top-scored with 82 runs in Cairns, providing the foundation for South Africa’s strong total. His reliability at the top of the order has been impressive over the years!
- Temba Bavuma: The captain contributed a valuable 65 runs in his ODI comeback, showing his leadership both with the bat and in the field. His steady approach anchors the middle order perfectly.
- Dewald Brevis: The young, explosive batter got only two balls in Cairns but showed his intention to take on bowlers; however, it didn’t go his way.
Team Changes and Squad News
Australia might consider bringing in Cooper Connolly as a spinning all-rounder to replace Aaron Hardie, giving them better balance and an additional spin option. Matt Kuhnemann could also come into consideration given the effectiveness of spin bowling in Cairns.
South Africa will be without Prenelan Subrayen, who has been rested from the remaining matches due to his reported bowling action. Senuran Muthusamy could replace him, providing another left-arm spinning option to exploit Australia’s right-hand heavy lineup. The absence of David Miller and the retired Heinrich Klaasen continues to test their middle-order depth.
Win Prediction between Australia vs South Africa 2nd ODI
Prediction:
- South Africa to win by 15-20 runs (Batting First)
- South Africa to win by 3-4 wickets (Bowling First)
South Africa enters this match as the favorites after their strong performance in Cairns. Maharaj’s mastery over Australia’s batting lineup and the overall balance in their squad give them a significant edge. Australia’s batting voids were exposed in the first match, and they’ve been bowled out for under 200 in their last three home ODIs.
However, Australia’s desperation and the unknown venue conditions could work in their favor. If they can get early wickets and restrict South Africa to a manageable total, their batting might perform better under less pressure.
The key battle will be between Maharaj’s spin and Australia’s batting lineup. If South Africa wins the toss and bowls first, as they would likely prefer, their chances increase significantly.