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The ODI series will open on 24th September, with South Africa will facing Australia in the first match at Kingsmead, Durban at 1:30 PM IST.
Get the best SA vs AUS Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the 1st ODI match of the Australia Tour of South Africa 2026. Expert analysis and more.
Also Read: South Africa suffer another injury blow! Kwena Maphaka ruled out of Australia ODI series
Hot Picks for SA vs AUS Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:
Captaincy Picks:
Travis Head – Australia’s left-handed batter has amassed 3,129 runs in 82 ODIs, including 8 centuries and 17 fifties, with a highest score of 154. He has also taken 28 wickets, with best figures of 4/28. |
Cooper Connolly – Connolly has quickly built an impressive ODI record, scoring 431 runs in 15 matches and 12 innings, highlighted by a career-best 149. His tally includes 1 century and 3 fifties, while his left-arm spin has produced 9 wickets, including 5/22. |
Top Picks:
Quinton de Kock – The experienced South African wicketkeeper-batter has reached 7,123 ODI runs from 161 matches and innings, with 23 centuries and 32 fifties. His highest ODI score remains 178, underlining his long-standing impact at the top of the order. |
Ryan Rickelton – Rickelton has made a promising start to his ODI career, recording 454 runs in 17 matches and innings. His record features 1 century and 1 fifty, with a highest score of 103, while his left-handed batting adds another option to South Africa’s top order. |
Budget Picks:
Nathan Ellis – Ellis has established himself as a reliable Australian pace option in ODIs, taking 37 wickets in 25 matches at an average of 29.16. His best figures are 5/31, and he has also scored 181 runs, with a highest score of 36. |
Temba Bavuma – South Africa’s right-handed opening batter has accumulated 2,035 runs in 55 ODIs, including 5 centuries and 8 fifties, with a career-best 144. His ODI batting average stands at 42.39, while he has also contributed 22 wickets with occasional right-arm medium pace. |
SA vs AUS Australia Tour of South Africa 2026 Captain and Vice-captain Choices:
Captain | Travis Head & Cooper Connolly |
Vice-Captain | Quinton de Kock & Ryan Rickelton |
SA vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Team 1:
- Keeper – Quinton de Kock (VC), Ryan Rickelton
- Batters – Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Travis Head ©
- All-Rounders – Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Cooper Connolly
- Bowlers – Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Keshav Maharaj
SA vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Team 2:
- Keeper – Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton (VC)
- Batters – Mitchell Marsh, Temba Bavuma, Travis Head
- All-Rounders – Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Cooper Connolly ©
- Bowlers – Mitchell Starc, Keshav Maharaj, Nathan Ellis
SA vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Today 1st ODI Australia Tour of South Africa 2026 Players to Avoid:
Players | Dream11 Credits | Dream11 Points (Last match) |
Xavier Bartlett | NA | NA |
Kwena Maphaka | NA | NA |
SA vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Today 1st ODI Australia Tour of South Africa 2026 Expert Advice:
SL Captaincy Choice | Travis Head |
GL Captaincy Choice | Cooper Connolly |
Punt Picks | Nathan Ellis and Temba Bavuma |
Dream11 Combination | 2-3-3-3 |
SA vs AUS Match Preview:
South Africa will launch their three-match ODI series against Australia on 24 September 2026 at 1:30 PM IST at Kingsmead, Durban. The series will then move to Johannesburg for the second ODI on 27 September, before concluding in Potchefstroom on 30 September. South Africa have assembled a formidable squad featuring Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock and David Miller, while Australia will rely on captain Pat Cummins, alongside Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood, to set the tone from the opening contest.
At the top of the order, South Africa will look towards Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma, David Miller and Marco Jansen to combine stability with attacking intent throughout the innings. De Zorzi enters the series with confidence after striking 79 off 87 balls against Namibia in South Africa’s second ODI on their previous tour. Australia, meanwhile, will expect substantial contributions from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cooper Connolly and Josh Hazlewood. Connolly has recently demonstrated his ability to influence matches with both bat and ball, while Hazlewood brings considerable experience and control to Australia’s pace attack.
Historically, Kingsmead has provided a competitive setting for ODI cricket, producing an average first-innings score of 233 across 53 recorded ODIs. Teams batting first have won 26 matches, while sides bowling first have secured 20 victories, and South Africa hold the venue’s highest ODI total with 372/6 against Australia. Consequently, both teams can expect opportunities with bat and ball, but the new-ball battle and the ability to construct meaningful partnerships could prove particularly important. With quality players on both sides, the opening ODI promises a demanding contest from the first over.
SA vs AUS Head-to-Head Record:
Teams | Matches Won |
South Africa | 57 |
Australia | 52 |
SA vs AUS Weather & Pitch Report:
Temperature | 24°C |
Weather Forecast | Clear Sky |
Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly |
Best Suited To | Pace |
Average 1st innings score | 250 |
Record of chasing teams:
Records | Neutral |
Winning % | 50% |
SA vs AUS Playing 11s (Predicted):
South Africa Playing 11:
1) Quinton de Kock (wk)
2) Ryan Rickelton
3) Tony de Zorzi
4) Temba Bavuma ©
5) Matthew Breetzke
6) David Miller
7) Tristan Stubbs
8) Marco Jansen
9) Keshav Maharaj
10) Gerald Coetzee
11) Corbin Bosch
Australia Playing 11:
1) Travis Head
2) Matthew Renshaw
3) Mitchell Marsh ©
4) Josh Inglis
5) Cooper Connolly
6) Alex Carey (wk)
7) Cameron Green / Jack Edwards
8) Mitchell Starc
9) Nathan Ellis
10) Josh Hazlewood
11) Adam Zampa
SA vs AUS Match Winner Prediction:
Considering the head-to-head records and home advantage, South Africa is expected to win this match.
