Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey
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South Africa’s T20I season has been an absolute roller-coaster ride in the past two weeks. First, we were treated to one of all-time great series against England, where so much as blinking resulted in missing incredible action.
Then, South Africa’s positive showings looked to have gone up in flames in Johannesburg. Their capitulation required a bounce back, and bounce back they did, winning when defeat looked almost certain in Port Elizabeth. So, it is clear that the Proteas can compete with strong white-ball teams, but the question is: how will this roller-coaster ride end?
For Australia, they do seem to have all their bases covered. The middle order is an area to watch of course, but given that Glenn Maxwell is due to return down the track, this Australia team does look the goods. But, in T20, a good team on paper means nothing, as a bad over or two can change the complexion of the game completely, as the PE game showed.
So, as David Warner and Steve Smith return to Cape Town two years on, will it be they who lift up the T20I Series Trophy?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
- It is clear that Quinton de Kock is vital to South Africa’s hopes. When he scored 0 in the first match, South Africa were bowled out for 89. In the next game, he scored 70 (47), and the Proteas won.
- David Warner (67 last game) is now the only player to have 400+ runs in Australia-SA T20Is. However, he will want to be more fluent if he gets a start, after scoring 16 runs in his final 18 balls last game.
- Steve Smith is the leading run-scorer so far this series (74) with no fifty. So, can he go on with his starts? Aaron Finch is in a similar boat, with two double-figure scores (42 and 14).
- Despite South Africa winning last game, they don’t start as strong as they did when Temba Bavuma was available. If he’s fit for this game, he’ll be one to watch. Last three scores: 43 (27), 31 (29), 49 (24).
- Rassie van der Dussen gave South Africa’s innings some extra impetus last game. He has eight 30+ scores in 14 T20I innings.
- It is an important game for Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade. They were strong performers in the recent BBL (Marsh: 382 runs, avg. 34.72, SR: 145.24. Wade: 351 runs, avg. 50.14, SR: 171.21).
- Ashton Agar had a much quieter game in the second T20I compared to the first. Interestingly, Keshav Maharaj took a four-wicket haul in a recent domestic game at Newlands. Can Agar have an impact?
- Lungi Ngidi is fast becoming South Africa’s key man in the death overs. While he’s been expensive at times, he’s in the wickets: 12 in his last five T20Is.
- Pat Cummins is now the leading wicket-taker in AUS-SA T20Is (11).
- Adam Zampa has taken 21 wickets in his last 12 white-ball matches across the BBL, India ODIs and South Africa T20Is.
- Mitchell Starc has dismissed Quinton de Kock in three of the last five white-ball meetings between the teams.
- Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada bowled well in PE to take a combined 2/51 in eight overs. Can they cause problems for Australia again, provided they both play?
Stats and Facts
- The head-to-head record between the teams in South Africa is locked up at 6-6.
- Steve Smith (42 off 26 balls) and David Warner (33 off 27 balls) performed well in Australia’s T20I win in Cape Town, 2016.
- The average first innings score at Cape Town in the last five T20Is is 169.
- South Africa’s last T20I in Cape Town was a thrilling tie vs Sri Lanka last year, where they won the Super Over.
- David Miller has been named Player of the Match in South Africa’s last two T20Is at Newlands.
Key to a South Africa win
South Africa’s fighting attitude came the fore in Port Elizabeth, grasping victory when defeat looked likely. So, if they can get the better of Australia’s top order here, they will allow themselves a good shot at an Aussie middle order that has at make amends for their performance last game.
Also, Quinton de Kock holds a huge key to victory. His battle vs Mitchell Starc could dictate the match, because if de Kock gets away, the platform is set. However, can the others support him better than they did in PE, bar Rassie van der Dussen?

Key to an Australia win
Mitchell Starc v Quinton de Kock. The result of de Kock’s early dismissal in Johannesburg was plain to see, with the Proteas’ batting lineup crumbling thereafter. So, powerplay wickets can set the game up for Australia, of which the likes of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar can build on.
Also, the top three is crucial to Australia’s hopes, but who will put their hand up in the middle order? To win here, Australia will need to either build on a strong start or arrest a slide, which makes the likes of Matt Wade, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey important to the cause.
They should have won in PE, so a more complete batting performance is needed.

Possible Playing 11
Temba Bavuma will undertake another fitness test to prove he is ready for this match. Heinrich Klaasen is in a similar situation, as he looks to recover from a hip injury. Also, it remains to be seen if Dale Steyn is brought back, potentially in place of Anrich Nortje.
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Faf du Plessis, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. David Miller, 6. Pite van Biljon, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Tabraiz Shamsi, 11. Lungi Ngidi
Australia could stick with the same XI, as they aim to win the series after taking a 1-0 lead.
Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Steve Smith, 4. Matt Wade, 5. Mitchell Marsh, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Kane Richardson
Newlands Cape Town Pitch Report and Conditions
South Africa assistant coach Enoch Nkwe said that the Newlands pitch could play similarly to the Port Elizabeth pitch, where 158 was enough.
However, this is below the average score in recent T20Is at the ground, so 170+ is a possibility given the ability in both teams. The weather forecast is mostly fine, with a top of 25 degrees during the day.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction
This has the makings of a terrific clash.
Australia really should have won the last T20I, so how they respond here will be interesting to see. At the moment, they do look more well-rounded than the Proteas, which might count for plenty. Australia to win.
Thanks for reading!