Only a few days into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we are already nearing the halfway stage of the eight-team competition. It’s match no-7 and will be played between Australia and South Africa on Tuesday afternoon at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This is going to be a fascinating clash as both Australia and South Africa are heading into this game off the back of a big win in their respective opening encounters.
Team Form
There’s something about Australia and the big ICC games. We have seen so many times in the past that the Aussies bring their A-Game to the fore even when they have issues within the team, like this time, when a handful of star players such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, to name a few, are out of the team. Despite this, Australia managed to beat a strong England team in the opening match, chasing down a huge total of 351 runs, winning by five wickets. With this win, Australia also snapped a four-game losing streak in the 50-over game – two each against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Australia Form (ODIs): L L L L W
Also Read: AUS vs SA Betting Tips
South Africa also started their campaign with a big win over Afghanistan. It was a dominating performance from the Proteas right from the first ball. The 1998 Champions Trophy winner, South Africa, hammered Afghanistan bowlers all around the park en route to 315/6, courtesy of three half centuries from Temba Bavuma, Rassie Van der Dussen and Aiden Markram and a century from opener Ryak Rickleton.
South Africa also produced an impeccable performance with the ball and never gave Afghanistan any sniff of the win, bowling them out for 208 runs in 43.3 overs.
- South Africa Form (ODIs): L W W W W
Australia vs South Africa Match Details
- Teams: Australia and South Africa
- Date and Time: Tuesday, February 25, @ 02:30 PM (IST)
- Stadium: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Australia vs South Africa Pitch Report, Toss Impact
Pitch Report: Most pitches in Pakistan today are flat surfaces, with too little for fast bowlers. Even if pacers do get something off the surface, it’s only for the first few overs when the ball is new. But spinners are likely to dominate the proceedings.
However, pacers should be more lethal in this game as playing conditions are likely to be
Toss Impact: Since rain is a threat in this game, if the match does go to DRS, then the team batting second has the most advantage. However, pacers should be more lethal in this game as playing conditions are likely to be cooler and more favorable for swing and seam movement because of the rain.
ODI Stats at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
| Total Matches | 26 |
| Won Batting First | 11 |
| Won Batting Second | 14 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 242 |
| Highest Score | 337/3 |
| Lowest Score | 104/10 |
Australia vs South Africa: Peshawar Weather
Weather Report: This match is in danger of getting affected by weather as there’s around 30-35% chance of rain in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. So get ready for stop start situations in this match.
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Australia vs South Africa Team News
- No issues for either Australia or South Africa as far as injuries or suspensions are concerned.
- But changes can still take place in both teams’ XI, especially for South Africa.
- Heinrich Klaasen is in contention to start after missing out on the first match due to an injury issue.
- If Klaasen gets into South Africa Playing XI, Tony de Zorzi might be the player making way for the hard-hitter.
- In this case, Bavuma should open the innings.
Also Read: When and where to watch Australia vs South Africa live?
Players to watch out for in Australia vs South Africa match
- Travis Head: The win in the first game was all more sweet because it came despite their star batter Travis Head failing to get going. Few would disagree that Travis Head is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world at the moment. His record in all formats speak volume. He is a pure match winner.
- Kagiso Rabada: One the best bowlers in world cricket. Kagiso Rabada bowled a maiden over and picked up three wickets in the opening game against Afghanistan. More than these numbers was threat he carried in all the overs. He is a pure match winner.
- Marnus Labuschagne: The 30-year-old adds more value to this team on sub-continent pitches. It was quite evident in the first match as well when he took two crucial wickets which eventually stopped England scoring more runs. We all know how good he is with the bat. So Labuschagne can be a solid option to have in AUS vs SA Dream11 teams.
- Ryan Rickleton: South African wicket-keeper blasted a magnificent century in his team’s opening game against Afghanistan, scoring 103 runs off 106 balls. On current form, he is amongst the most in-form batter in South Africa playing 11.
- Glenn Maxwell: The veteran all-rounder still has a lot to offer in white-ball cricket. He played his part in the win over England, picking up the prized wicket of Jos Buttler and scoring 32 runs off just 15 balls. He guarantees points to some extent.
- Ben Dwarshuis: The 30-year-old is also a player who has the ability to affect the match with both bat and ball. His high-score in the Big Bash is 66, and in The Hundred, it’s 40*. So he is a good batter, but his main skill is the bowling which he showed in the first match after taking a three-wicket haul.
- Rassie van der Dussen: Amongst the most consistent players in this South African Playing XI. He has the ability to get a big score in this match.
AUS vs SA Expected Playing XIs
Australia Probable Starting XI vs South Africa:
- Matt Short
- Travis Head
- Steve Smith (C)
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Josh Inglis (WK)
- Alex Carey
- Glenn Maxwell
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Nathan Ellis
- Adam Zampa
- Spencer Johnson
South Africa Probable Starting XI vs Australia:
- Ryan Rickleton (WK)
- Tony de Zorzi / Heinrich Klaasen
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Wiaan Mulder
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ndidi
Australia vs South Africa squads for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Australia squad for ICC Champions Trophy: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
South Africa squad for ICC Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch
AUS vs SA Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Team
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