Australia vs South Africa Cricket World Cup Prediction, Odds & Picks: Will the Proteas Hand the Aussies a Second Straight Loss?

An opening loss against tournament hosts India doesn’t mean that the Cricket World Cup is on the way to ending in disappointment for Australia. But they do need to get off the mark in Thursday’s matchup with South Africa (4:30 am ET, ESPN+) to avoid falling into an early 0-for-2 hole.

The Aussies opened the tournament on Sunday by struggling with both the bat and the ball in a six-wicket loss to India in Chennai. With the bat, they were bowled out for only 199 runs, while India overcame losing three wickets in the first two overs to chase down the target with 52 balls to spare.

South Africa, meanwhile, started their Cricket World Cup campaign by posting a total of 428 for 5 and defeating Sri Lanka by 106 runs in Delhi on Saturday. The Proteas’ innings featured centuries by Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram, and they bowled out Sri Lanka in 44.5 overs.

There were quite a few runs when these two teams met in an ODI series in South Africa last month, but will we see a high-scoring contest in Lucknow?

Australia vs South Africa Odds

Odds are via Bovada.

Moneyline

• Australia -150
• South Africa +125

How Will the Aussies Rebound After a Poor Opener Against India?

Australia being favored is rather interesting when you consider the recent head-to-head results.

In the last 20 ODI matches between the Aussies and the Proteas, South Africa have won 16 and lost just four times.

Most recently, they met in a five-match series in South Africa last month. Australia claimed the first two contests, but the Proteas roared back with comprehensive victories in each of the last three matches to win the series.

Will a change of continent change the outcome? In this run of dominance, South Africa have won at home, in Australia, the West Indies, and in England.

It must be noted that the batting surfaces at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow are new. No pre-tournament warm-up matches were played there, and this will be the first World Cup match at the venue, so there’s no helpful intel for determining how the pitch might play.

But for what it’s worth, through the first nine matches of the tournament, the team batting first has scored 270+ runs nine times, including four 300+ scores. The only two matches in which this didn’t occur were Australia’s loss to India and Bangladesh’s six-wicket win over Afghanistan after bowling out their opposition for only 156 runs.

Speaking of chases, the chasers have edged it so far. Five teams have successfully chased down targets, with the highest successful chase being Pakistan’s stunning and successful attempt at reaching a target of 345 against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

That set a record for the highest successful chase in Cricket World Cup history, surpassing Ireland’s upset of England in 2011, when India were co-hosts along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

We might not see scores that high in Lucknow, but if we do, both of these teams certainly have the firepower to chase it.

Australia vs South Africa Prediction and Picks

Australia vs South Africa Prediction: South Africa to win

The Aussies may be favored, but South Africa’s thorough dominance in recent years, as well as their impressive start to the tournament, makes them the pick here, especially at plus odds.

Australia vs South Africa Picks

South Africa ML (+125 at Bovada)

Cricket World Cup winner odds have Australia (+500) as second favorites behind India (+150) and ahead of England (+550), New Zealand (+600), and South Africa (+600). So, it makes sense that the Aussies are favored here. But the Proteas have beaten them in ODIs on four different continents in recent years and will make it five here.

Quinton de Kock over 29.5 runs (-115 at Bovada)

De Kock recorded his 18th career ODI century in the win over Sri Lanka, scoring exactly 100 runs on 84 balls.

He had three scores of 45 or better in last month’s series against Australia, with a high of 82 off of 77 balls in the third match to help the Proteas post a strong total after two subpar showings with the bat to begin the series.

Rassie van der Dussen over 30.5 runs (-115 at Bovada)

Van der Dussen’s 108 in 110 balls against Sri Lanka was his fifth ODI century and his 17th score of 50 or better in 44 career innings in the format.

He doesn’t need to add to that number for this bet to cash, but I like his chances to do so.

David Warner over 32.5 runs (-115 at Bovada)

Warner (41 off of 52 balls) and Steve Smith (46 off of 71 balls) were the only two Australian batters to cross the 30-run mark against India.

In his last four ODI innings, Warner has scores of 52, 53, 56, and 41, and in his career against South Africa, he has scored 33 or more runs 13 times in 28 innings, including five centuries and five fifties.

Over 10.5 Sixes Hit in the Match (-115 at BetOnline)

This is a bit of a shot in the dark because of the new pitch, but given the hitting power on both sides, this is well worth the investment.

Where to Bet on the 2023 Cricket World Cup

The 2023 Cricket World Cup will take place in India from October 5 to November 19, and you can place bets on Cricket World Cup odds at most reputable sports betting sites.

Some sportsbooks offer tournament winner odds and other futures, while some will also offer odds for every game of the tournament.

Here are some of the online sportsbooks that we recommend for betting on the 2023 Cricket World Cup:

• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bovada
• MyBookie

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our in-depth reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds. Happy betting, and please bet responsibly.