Australia vs South Africa Preview & Tips - Australia to maintain perfect start to Champions Trophy with win over South Africa

By Ben Darvill

24 Feb 2025

Ben Darvill 24 Feb 2025

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Australia vs South Africa Champions Trophy Preview & Tips
Both sides won their opening Champions Trophy matches
Preview, stats & head to head

Australia's Josh Inglis (Getty Images)

Australia vs South Africa Preview & Tips

Australia were exceptional in their clash against England as they roared to a five-wicket win to ensure their Champions Trophy campaign started with a win.

Australia vs South Africa Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Australia Form
South Africa Form

South Africa enjoyed a 107-run win over Afghanistan in their opening match as they put one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

Australia secured a three-wicket win over South Africa when they last met
Kagiso Rabada has taken 30 wickets in 16 ODI matches against the Aussies

Head To Head

Australia have won three of their last 10 against South Africa, with the latter winning the other seven meetings.

Australia Form

Despite being set an imposing 352 for victory over England in their opening ODI, Australia managed to ease to their target with five wickets and 15 balls to spare. The way Australia were batting, the 400-run mark was not out of their reach.

Their run-chase was made all the more impressive by the failings of Travis Head and Steve Smith, with both going for single-figure scores. Josh Inglis (120 not out), Matt Short 63), Alex Carey (69) and Marnus Labuschagne (47) all played their parts in a run-chase that has underlined Australia's Champions Trophy winning qualities.

Now, Australia will know that they can all-but secure their place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a win. Of course, the victor of Afghanistan vs England will put themselves in the equation for a semi-final spot, but Australia will have their destiny firmly in their own hands.

As the ultimate tournament team, I am backing Australia to secure the win as they defeat yet another Champions Trophy rival.

South Africa Form

South Africa made the most out of the double-edged sword of facing Afghanistan in their opening match. Afghanistan are the weakest of the sides in their group, meaning a win for South Africa was likely. However, arriving as the underdogs mean Afghanistan could play with freedom, knowing all the pressure was on the Proteas.

Their win was built on an impressive all-round performance as their batters and bowlers put in hard-working shifts. Ryan Rickelton was the pick of the batsmen as he scored 103 from 106. With the ball, Kagiso Rabada impressed, taking 3-36 in a fiery spell of bowling.

While South Africa impressed in their opening match, the quality of opposition increases massively in their second game. I believe they will have their moments, with the weather conditions potentially helping the pace and movement Rabada can get, but I predict that the major-competition experience Australia have will see them over the line.