Parimatch : South Africa vs Australia 3rd ODI: Will Australia Prevent Series Whitewash?

ODI number three and last match between South Africa and Australia will take place in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, 30th September 2026. This particular match is planned to commence at 5:00 PM IST which means 5:00 PM according to local time in South Africa.

It would be a one-sided contest between South Africa and Australia, considering that the hosts have won the series convincingly 2-0. South Africa won the first match by 67 runs followed by a 32-run victory in the second match held in Johannesburg.

Australia may look forward to getting off the mark in the final ODI in order to avoid a whitewash and complete the tour on a high note. The third ODI, despite being played in a series already decided, would be interesting enough to watch because of certain reasons. Both sides can try their best for a good show in the last game of the ODI series.

However, things haven't exactly panned out the way Australia would have wanted. South Africa claimed the first ODI at Durban by 67 runs, before winning the second in Johannesburg by 32 runs. That match in particular is worth the 'remember when' column, thanks to Temba Bavuma and David Miller centuries ensuring the hosts posted a mountain of runs for their bowlers to defend.

The third match will mean slightly more for both teams then. South Africa will be eager to win the final game in the country and Australia will want to leave without any victories in the series.

The match analysis by PariMatch given in the graphics suggest Australia has a slight advantage in the prediction of 54% against 46% for South Africa. That makes this prediction a lot closer than the series score may indicate.

South Africa: Confidence at a High After Series Win

SA will be confident ahead of the final. They have already bagged both ODIs, and their batting was in exceptional touch during the second game. Temba Bavuma and David Miller notched centuries each, giving their team a dominant position in the game. Australia put up a valiant effort in the chase, but South Africa won the match by 32 runs.

There is a lot of experience in South Africa.

Initially, the squad was put together with captain Temba Bavuma, and others like Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs.

South Africa has a strong batting cornerstone with players like Miller, Bavuma, de Kock and Markram.

Temba Bavuma's Importance

Bavuma's century in the second ODI was exactly the kind of innings South Africa needed.

He was able to spend significant time at the crease and build the foundation for a large total. His role becomes particularly important because South Africa have several aggressive players who can accelerate later in the innings.

If Bavuma can again provide stability at the top, South Africa will have the opportunity to put Australia under scoreboard pressure.

David Miller Can Change the Game

David Miller is another player Australia will need to watch closely.

His century in the second ODI demonstrated his ability to take control of an innings once he gets settled. Miller's experience in limited-overs cricket also makes him a dangerous player during the final stages of an innings.

If South Africa reach the last 10 overs with wickets in hand, Miller and the players around him can potentially add a significant number of runs.

South Africa's Bowling Challenge

There is, however, one concern for South Africa.

Their fast-bowling department has been hit by injuries.

Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Nandre Burger have been unavailable, while Kwena Maphaka also withdrew from the squad with a hamstring injury. Lizaad Williams was called up as a replacement for Maphaka.

That means South Africa have had to rely on less experienced options alongside established players.

Despite those problems, the bowling group has performed well enough to win the first two games. In the second ODI, Lizaad Williams took three wickets, while Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin also contributed with the ball.

Australia: One Last Chance to Avoid a 3-0 Defeat

Australia arrive at the third ODI with a very different objective.

They have already lost the series, but a victory in Potchefstroom would give them something positive to take from the ODI leg of the tour.

This mixture gives Australia several ways to approach the final match.

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh

Australia's opening combination could be crucial.

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh made an extremely fast start during the second ODI. Australia reached 77 in the first 10 overs, while Marsh smashed 84 from only 53 balls. Head also scored 84 from 76 deliveries.

The problem for Australia was that the strong start did not turn into a successful chase.

Once South Africa began taking wickets, Australia's momentum disappeared.

For the third ODI, Australia will need their top order to convert a good start into a substantial partnership.

Josh Hazlewood Remains a Threat

Australia still have a highly experienced bowling attack.

Josh Hazlewood took three wickets in the second ODI, while the younger Jack Edwards impressed by claiming five wickets.

Hazlewood's accuracy can be particularly useful against South Africa's experienced batsmen.

If Australia can take early wickets, they could prevent South Africa from building another huge total.

Josh Inglis Ruled Out

Australia have also suffered an injury setback.

Josh Inglis is unable to play the last two One Day Internationals due to a fractured right index finger. Alex Carey has thus replaced him as the wicketkeeper.

That is another change Australia have had to manage during the series.

Carey's experience will be valuable, but losing Inglis removes another batting option from Australia's lineup.

What Could Decide the Third ODI?

The opening 10 overs could be extremely important.

Australia's fast bowlers will want early wickets, while South Africa will look to establish a solid opening partnership.

The second battle will be between Australia's middle-order batsmen and South Africa's spinners.

Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin have already shown that spin can be effective during the middle overs. Australia will need to avoid allowing the run rate to slow too much during this period.

The final 10 overs could then decide the match and you could see each ball using Pari Match ID.

South Africa have David Miller and other powerful hitters, while Australia have players capable of producing their own late-innings acceleration.

Conclusion

South Africa have been the better-performing team across the first two matches and deserve credit for taking a 2-0 series lead. Their batting has produced important performances at crucial moments, while their bowlers have managed to defend competitive totals despite injuries to several frontline fast bowlers.

Australia, however, should not be written off.

Their top order has shown that it can score quickly, their bowling attack still contains major international experience, and the final match gives them a chance to finish the ODI series on a positive note.

The supplied match image gives Australia a 54% win probability compared with 46% for South Africa. That is a relatively narrow margin, and the series situation makes the third ODI difficult to call.

Pari Match India Prediction: Australia to Win

For the final ODI, Pari Match India prediction is Australia to win, despite South Africa already having secured the series.

Australia have several reasons to respond strongly. Their batting showed plenty of promise in the second ODI, with Marsh and Head providing an explosive start, while Hazlewood and Edwards demonstrated that their bowling attack can take wickets.

South Africa will have home conditions and confidence on their side, but their pace-bowling injuries could make the final match more challenging.