Cricket fever has gripped everyone as the Champions Trophy 2025 has produced some enthralling matches so far. Hence the upcoming Match 7 between Australia (AUS) and South Africa (SA) is going to be an exciting battle between the ball and the bat. Notably, the match will be played on Tuesday, February 25, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
After six exciting matches on the big stage of the Champions Trophy, the cricket world is set to witness the seventh match as Australia is set to lock horns against South Africa on February 25. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is set to host the big show live from 2:30 PM (IST). As the seventh clash of the ongoing tournament is now on the horizon, both sides are coming off fresh wins. With every game counted in the group stage, both sides will eye win to secure the semifinal spot.
AUS vs SA : Previous Performances
This will be a game where the two sides have had a strong start in their first encounters. Notably, Australia chased down a massive 350+ target set by England. While South Africa won their game against Afghanistan quite convincingly.
Australia on the batting front will be happy, especially with the great performances from Champions Trophy debutants Josh Inglis and Matthew Short. The duo showed an impeccable batting masterclass, which made up for the poor performance of the bowlers. In the next CT 2025 fixture, the Aussie bowlers will be tested in the upcoming game against a powerful Proteas batting lineup.
On the other hand, South Africa will be happy with their performance against Afghanistan as they dominated with both bat and ball. The Temba Bavuma-led side might still miss a few players in the squad and will want to repeat the same performance against the ODI World Champions.
AUS vs SA : Head to Head
| Matches Played | 110 |
| Won by Australia | 51 |
| Won by South Africa | 55 |
| Tied | 03 |
| No Result | 01 |
| First-ever Fixture | 26 Feb, 1992 |
| Most-recent Fixture | 16 Nov, 2023 |
AUS vs SA : Pitch Report
The pitch in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is usually a dream for batters, providing a steady pace and bounce that encourages aggressive stroke play. Bowlers, particularly fast bowlers, must be extremely accurate since the surface offers little help. Spinners may see some turn as the match goes on, but overall, the conditions are more suited for scoring runs. Considering these factors , the toss-winning captain might choose to bowl first, looking to take advantage.
While the previous pitches have been on the slower side, the surface in Rawalpindi is said to be more pacy. It is said that the wicket will give some assistance to the seamers who might get some extra bounce early on. But the pitch gives ample opportunities for the batters to score runs. There have been some big totals chased at this venue which might result in captains winning the toss and bowling first. Another docile pitch. And rain: a 62% chance of showers forecast for the afternoon strengthens to 71% in the evening.
Before this tournament, Rawalpindi had not hosted ODIs since April 2023, when Pakistan and New Zealand made scores of 288, 291, 336 and 337 in two matches. South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma and Carey said they expected another high-scoring encounter on what should be a flat surface.
Bavuma also revealed that South Africa noted significant dew during a training session at the venue over the weekend and both he and Carey expected chasing to be easier than defending a target. The weather will be cooler than in Karachi or Lahore with a high of just 17 degrees, and there is some drizzle forecast in the afternoon which could impact the match.
AUS vs SA : Big Picture : Expect a hard-fought contest between perennial rivals Australia and South Africa
Australia and South Africa brushed off poor pre-tournament results to record wins in their opening matches of the Champions Trophy and they meet each other with their batters in good form. Australia may be riding slightly higher after they completed the highest successful chase in tournament history – 352 – with 15 balls to spare. South Africa’s 315 for 6 against Afghanistan resulted in victory by 107 runs and put them higher on the points table thanks to a bigger net run-rate.
All that, combined with expectations of a batter-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi, means the bowling attacks can expect a tough day out after already being challenged by absences in personnel. Australia are missing more than South Africa with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc all out of the tournament.
But with Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee also ruled out, South Africa had to look elsewhere for express pace. Still, they have five seamers and three spinners (if you include Aiden Markram) to choose from. Australia’s squad make-up is similar, and with Marnus Labuschagne turning his arm over, they have additional options. So the real point of difference may lie in selection and how the captains allocate overs to exert pressure on each other.
Victory will not guarantee either team progression to the semi-finals but will leave the winner primed to top the group, so expect a contest that lives up to its billing, especially if the last one was anything to go by. In 2023, at the ODI World Cup semi-final, South Africa were restricted to an under-par total of 212 but had Australia seven down in the 48th when the winning runs were scored. That game had the tension of a low-scoring thriller. This one is likely to have the fireworks of a run fest.
Whatever happens, given these two sides routinely bring out the most competitive streaks in each other, this will be one of the tournament’s showpiece matches in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd.
In Karachi on Friday, South Africa’s 315/6 was enough to beat Afghanistan by 107 runs. On Saturday in Lahore, England scored 351/5 – which was the tournament’s record total until Australia chased it down with five wickets standing and 15 balls to spare.
Whatever happens when the Aussies and South Africans clash in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, do not expect a target of less than 300. Four of the dozen innings in the competition so far have passed that mark. These are two of the heaviest hitting batting line-ups in the Champions Trophy. And two of the attacks who have been the most impacted by injuries and other issues. Cue runs. Hundreds of them. Might the record aggregate in a men’s ODI be in danger That’s an unsurprisingly tall order: it’s currently 872.
But it isn’t out of the question considering the likely conditions and the fact who set the record – Australia made 434/4 and South Africa replied with 438/9 with a ball to spare at the Wanderers in March 2006. That marked the first time 400 was breached. It’s now happened 27 times.
Eight of those elephantine totals have been made by South Africa and two by Australia. India have done it seven times, England five times, Sri Lanka and New Zealand twice each, and Zimbabwe once.
The Aussies have conceded 400 three times and the South Africans twice. It’s happened four times to West Indies, thrice to Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, twice to India, Pakistan and Ireland, and once to New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, the United States and Bermuda.
Teams who have racked up 400 and more have won 24 of those 27 ODIs. Besides that outrageous day at the Wanderers in March 2006, the exceptions have been when Sri Lanka’s 411/8 wasn’t enough to hold India in Rajkot in December 2009, and at Chinnaswamy during the 2023 World Cup. DLS revised Pakistan’s 401/6 to a target of 342 in 41 overs. New Zealand were 200/1 after 25.3 – 21 runs ahead of par at that stage – when the rain returned and stayed.
Carey was joking when he made his quip about needing 400, but there can be no missing the dark lining of seriousness in his silver cloud of humour. He knows, as everyone else involved will, that these teams have done it before and could do it again.
Especially as both teams have proven themselves as contenders for the semifinals. That wasn’t certain when Australia arrived not only depleted but having lost all four of their previous ODIs. The South Africans had lost six on the bounce, albeit with teams weakened by injuries and franchise T20 commitments.
What with England, the other side in the group, having beaten in seven of the eight white-ball games they had played in India in the preceding 21 days, the Afghans – who had won eight of their previous 10 completed ODIs, including two of the three they played against South Africa in Sharjah in September – looked likely to sweep into the semis without fuss.
Friday’s result ripped up that script, and Saturday’s sharpened the focus on Tuesday’s showdown. Not for the first time, Australia and South Africa will clash in a consequential match at an ICC event. Victory will all but confirm a place in the final four. Defeat will make that team’s last group game all but unlosable if they want to stay in the running. Rain could get in the way, but if it doesn’t whoever bats first might indeed need 400.
AUS vs SA : Players In the spotlight: Nathan Ellis and Rassie van der Dussen
In a match where 707 runs were scored in 97.3 overs, conceding less than six runs an over was simply outstanding. That’s what Nathan Ellis did for Australia against England, where his ten overs cost just 51 runs in a display of immense control and maturity in just his tenth ODI.
Ellis is unusual in that at 5′ 9″ he isn’t as tall as we’d expect a fast bowler to be and relies on consistency and variety rather than pace to make an impact. While he may not be an outright attacking bowler, in a tournament where restricting batting sides in the middle overs has already proven to be important, how he performs in that phase could be decisive in Australia’s campaign.
Part of a powerful and in-form batting order, Rassie van der Dussen has the third-best ODI batting average of all time for South Africa and is among their most consistent performers despite a recent dip, and he may have started to feel the pressure of competition for his place.
His 46-ball 52 against Afghanistan was his first half-century in 11 innings. South Africa are choosing between Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi and van der Dussen for two of three top-order spots and also have Tristan Stubbs on the bench, so van der Dussen will want to do all he can to keep proving his worth.
AUS vs SA : Vital Stats that matters
- Australia’s chase of 352 against England was their second-highest successful chase in ODIs.
- In that game, Josh Inglis became the fourth Australian men’s cricketer to complete a hundred in all formats, after Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and David Warner.
- Since 2016, South Africa have batted first 12 times against Australia in ODIs and lost only two of those matches. The most recent of these defeats was the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- Travis Head has scored 62 runs off 55 balls off Kagiso Rabada in ODIs and been dismissed by him three times. Against Lungi Ngidi, however, he’s scored only 15 off 25 balls for two dismissals.
- Klaasen has scored 121 runs off 89 balls from Adam Zampa in ODIs and been dismissed twice by him.
- Australia have lost four of their last five ODIs.
- South Africa have won only one of their last seven ODIs, but they have won four of the last five ODIs they have played against Australia.
- Australia have won six of the 10 matches between these teams in ICC ODI and T20I tournaments
AUS vs SA : Team News for Australia and South Africa
Australia :
Not having Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis around didn’t stop the Aussies from roaring to a rousing win over England. That should mean there’s no reason to tamper with the XI. Australia don’t have reason to change things and Alex Carey suggested the XI would remain as is. They may consider a switch in their attack, and swap out one of their two left-arm quicks – Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis – for Sean Abbott.
Australia Probable Playing XI : Matthew 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 :
Heinrich Klaasen missed South Africa’s opener against Afghanistan because of an elbow niggle and will have a fitness test to assess his availability for this match. If Klaasen is fit, South Africa are likely to change their opening combination to make room for him in the middle order, which would mean leaving de Zorzi out after Rickelton made himself undroppable with his century against Afghanistan.
South Africa seem content to play one specialist spinner and have the option of four quicks, which could leave Tabraiz Shamsi on the bench again. The elbow problem that kept Heinrich Klaasen out of the side who beat Afghanistan has not been resolved. He might have to sit out again.
South Africa Probable Playing XI : Ryan Rickelton (wk.), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
AUS vs SA Fantasy XI : Josh Inglis (c), Alex Carey, Travis Head, Rassie van der Dussen, Marnus Labuschagne, Marco Jansen (vc), Aiden Markram, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
AUS vs SA : Probable best performers
Australia
- Matthew Short is an ace opener in Australia’s batting order. Known for his big hitting’s and aggressive mindset, the top-order batter is a game changer. In the last match, he scored an outstanding half-century and played a knock of 63 runs in 66 balls.
- Known for consistency and adaptability, Marnus Labuschagne is a key player of the Australian side. In the last match, he played a crucial knock of 47 runs in 45 balls. For the next encounter, his presence will be crucial.
- Adam Zampa’s clinical bowling has been a huge asset for the Australian side over the years. In the last clash, he conceded 64 runs and secured 2 wickets with an economy rate of 6.40. He can be a game-changer.
South Africa
- In South Africa’s opening position, Ryan Rickelton is a formidable force. Known for his exceptional batting abilities, he smashed an outstanding century in the last match and played a knock of 103 runs in 106 balls. His presence will be crucial.
- Aiden Markram is another asset of the side. His attacking batting style is a big weapon. In the last match, his quick-fire knock of 52 runs in just 36 balls helped the side to register the thrilling victory.
- Known for unwavering bowling excellence, Kagiso Rabada has showcased his brilliance in the last game. Against Afghanistan, he secured 3 crucial scalps while conceding 36 runs with an economy rate of 4.20.
AUS vs SA : Match Prediction
Scenario 1
- Australia win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay: 70-85
- SA: 285-300
- Australia wins the match
Scenario 2
- South Africa win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay: 75-90
- AUS: 290- 310
- South Africa wins the match
Depending on Rawalpindi’s pitch, the toss-winning captain is likely to chase down the total. But if Australia bats first, Matthew Short, who was outstanding in the last match and Travis Head will be crucial for the opening position. Their quality performance can boost a nice start. In the middle order, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s role will be crucial. Along with them, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis smashed an outstanding knock, and that pushed the side towards the win. Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey can play the finishers’ role well.
If South Africa needs to bat first in the upcoming clash, the opening position will get an outstanding boost as Ryan Rickelton is making waves with his outstanding form. Alongside him, Tony de Zorzi’s role will be crucial for the side. In the middle order, captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram’s presence will be crucial. Along with them, David Miller and Marco Jansen’s big-hitting ability will be crucial for sealing the victory.
Australia’s batting firepower makes them a strong contender, but South Africa’s all-round depth gives them a slight edge. If the Proteas bowlers exploit the early movement, they could control the game. However, Australia’s ability to step up in ICC tournaments makes them a dangerous opponent. Expect a nail-biting contest with South Africa starting as slight favorites.
Prediction: South Africa to win in a close encounter