South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Tips & Preview - Proteas to win Newlands thriller to take series
South Africa and Australia are tied 1-1 in their Test series as they approach the decisive match at Newlands. South Africa, buoyed by their dominant win in the 2nd Test and a supportive home crowd, are favoured to clinch the series. Key performers include Temba Bavuma and Marco Jansen, with Kagiso Rabada returning to fitness. Australia may be forced to adjust their lineup due to injuries. With strong recent showings from both squads, South Africa’s form and home advantage could be decisive in the final Test.
- The South Africa vs Australia Test series stands at 1-1, with Newlands hosting the decider
- South Africa have momentum after a strong win and are backed to win the series at home
- Key performances from Bavuma, Jansen and Rabada are expected
- South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Verdict
- Head-to-Head
- South Africa Form
- Australia Form
- Team News & Conditions
South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Verdict
The three-match series is level at 1-1 after two wide-margin wins. South Africa have the momentum following the 2nd Test victory and a vocal Newlands crowd behind them, and can win in Cape Town.
Marco Jansen and skipper Temba Bavuma can be the key men for the Proteas.
- South Africa’s Temba Bavuma scored 179 in the 2nd Test.
- South Africa’s Marco Jansen scored 85 & took 5/33 in the first innings vs Australia.
- South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada took 2/33 & 4/77 at Gqeberha.
- South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has taken 52 Test wickets in 9 Tests at Newlands.
- Australia’s Matt Renshaw hit 190 and 82 in the 1st Test.
- Australia’s Travis Head hit 121 off 190 balls in Gqeberha.
- Australia’s Scott Boland returned figures of 5/81 in the 2nd Test.
- South Africa beat Australia at Newlands in 2011 & 2018.
Head-to-Head
South Africa and Australia each have two wins from their last five Test meetings, with one match ending in a draw. Australia lead the seven South Africa-Australia Tests played at Newlands since the hosts' readmission with four wins to three.
South Africa beat Australia by 322 runs the last time the two sides met in a Test at Newlands back in March 2018. In the current three-match series Australia won the 1st Test by 214 runs while South Africa levelled the series with a win by an innings and 31 runs in the 2nd Test.
South Africa Form
Temba Bavuma rescued the Proteas from 110/6 in their first innings and guided them to an impressive score of 425/9 declared at St George's Park.
Bavuma ended on 179 off 334 balls with 18 fours and one enormous six. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer helped turn the innings around with valuable innings in the 80s.
Jansen took 5/33 in Australia’s first innings with Kagiso Rabada picking up 4/77 as Australia followed on. Wiaan Mulder chipped in with five wickets in the match to help complete the win.
The hosts will be confident of claiming a series win at Newlands after dismantling Australia for 99 in the first innings, although Newlands is likely to offer a far more batting-friendly track.
Australia Form
Australia followed their dominant Durban win with a heavy setback in Gqeberha.
Travis Head offered strong resistance with 121 after Australia followed-on from their first innings collapse which saw them post just 99 runs.
The rest of their top order struggled in the follow-on and with no other batters scoring more than 40 Australia couldn’t prevent their innings defeat.
Scott Boland's five-for in South Africa’s innings was a bright spot as he knocked over South Africa’s top three batters to leave South Africa reeling at 40/4 before their recovery.
Skipper Pat Cummins may consider rebalancing the attack by recalling Cameron Green now that he has recovered from injury, while Steve Smith's neck issue remains a concern.
Team News & Conditions
Kagiso Rabada is fit again after his hamstring injury while Anrich Nortje's availability following his injury at St George's Park has not yet been confirmed.
Australia could consider bringing in Cameron Green for opener Nic Maddinson, which would add a valuable seamer to their line-up. Newlands generally offers movement to seamers, particularly on the first two days.
South Africa (possible XI): Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj / Anrich Nortje.
Australia (possible XI): Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green / Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland / Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Verdict
South Africa are backed to complete a home series win by taking the win at Newlands. Rabada and Jansen look strong bowling candidates to back while Bavuma and Head should feature in the batting markets.
Temba Bavuma
Score Over 26.5 1st Inns
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South Africa Win
Result
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Marco Jansen
Player of the Match
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Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.
He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side.
Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.
Over the last decade and more, he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.
You can follow Ralph on LinkedIn and Muckrack and find him featured on Mzansiwins, Bets.co.za and Cape Media Corporation.
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