After the two-match T20I series ended 1-1, South Africa and Ireland now shift focus to the 50-over format. Ireland and South Africa will meet again in the ODI series of the Ireland vs South Africa 2024/25. The game will take place at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi on October 2. The match will begin at 5:00 PM IST. Below detailed match preview for this fixture on Sunday.
The much-anticipated Ireland tour of South Africa is set to commence with a three-match ODI series, starting on 2nd October. Ireland, led by Paul Stirling, will be looking to capitalize on their recent success. Key players such as Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, and Curtis Campher will be crucial for their success.
South Africa, under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, will be aiming to bounce back from their recent struggles. The likes of Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, and Lungi Ngidi will be key to their performance. The rivalry between these two teams has always been intense, and this series promises to be no different. With both teams boasting talented players, it is expected to be a thrilling contest.
SA vs IRE : Previous Performances
After an embarrassing defeat against Ireland (IRE) in the second T20I, South Africa (SA) would be desperate to bounce back in the three-match ODI series. Their performance has been under the scanner for quite some time now, especially as the Proteas lost the ODI series against Afghanistan last month.
They have decided to give rest to several of their key players including Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj among many others. It has affected them severely and Ireland would hope to take advantage of them in the ODI series. They have named a strong squad with the experience of Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Mark Adair, which can put South Africa in trouble.
Ireland batted very well in the first T20I of the series. However, the team had some struggle with the ball and lost the fixture. Ireland returned in the next game with a spectacular win, ending the T20I series into a 1-1 draw. Ireland were fantastic in both the departments of the last game and will bring their top form in the next game.
South Africa is having a terrible time in international cricket. They won the first game but went on to lose the second match to draw the series at 1-1. South Africa missed a lot of experienced players in the T20I series and made way for a lot of young talent. South Africa will be ready to take on Ireland in the first ODI of the series.
SA vs IRE : Head to Head
Ireland and South Africa have faced each other on 8 occasions in the format. The tally is led by South Africa by 6-1.
| Matches Played | 08 |
| Won by Ireland | 01 |
| Won by South Africa | 06 |
| No Result | 01 |
| First-ever Fixture | 03 April, 2007 |
| Most-recent Fixture | 16 July, 2021 |
SA vs IRE : Pitch Report
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium played out of character and aided the batters in the T20I series. It is likely to continue in the same manner. Batting under lights will be slightly easier and bowling first will be ideal choice. Anything over 325 runs can be considered a good total.
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium played out of character and aided the batters as the bowlers struggled in the second half of the first T20I game. But the pitch still assists spinners and provides minimal turn and lower bounce. The skies will be clear on the weather front, and there will be no hint of rain during the game. Hence the skipper winning the toss will be tempted to bat first in the upcoming first ODI.
It will be a hot day in Abu Dhabi on October 2. The temperature will peak at 37 degrees Celsius. The skies will remain sunny and there is no prediction of rain.
Abu Dhabi wickets always bring both batsmen and bowlers into play. It’s not a road, but teams have put sizeable totals on board here too. Stats suggest that any score over 250 batting first could be a real challenge for the chasing team, with the teams chasing only managing to win on 3 out of 14 occasions. The weather forecast for the match looks quite good and it’s highly likely that we would have a full match barring delay due to any unforeseen circumstances.
The ODI leg of this series will also feature the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Paul Stirling, the Irish captain, has plundered the runs here scoring 263 runs from 3 matches, with two centuries to his name including a high score of 131*.
SA vs IRE : Vital Stats that matters
- The tally led by South Africa by 6-1 in the last eight clashes against Ireland.
- The T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw after Ireland levelled the series with a win in the previous game.
- South Africa have won 3 out of their 4 matches in Abu Dhabi, and haven’t played here for over a decade.
- Ireland have lost 4 out of five games on this venue in the last ten years.
- South Africa lead Ireland 3-1 on the head-to-head, with one match turning out to no result.
SA vs IRE : Team News for South Africa and Ireland
South Africa :
South Africa’s bowling attack may have a lot of talent but they’re short on experience. Only Lungi Ngidi (33 matches) and Andile Phelukwayo (18 matches) have more than 10 caps in from the squad that’s been selected to represent the Proteas in this series. Bjorn Fortuin (7), Nandre Burger (5) , Lizaad Williams (4), Wiaan Mulder (8) and the newcomer Nqabayomzi Peter (2) have a combined 26 caps between them.
And Ottniel Baartman who has shown his worth in the T20 scene has yet to make his debut in the 50 over format. The inexperience of that bowling line-up shines through, making them vulnerable to counterattack. The batting group also has several new faces, with only Rassie Van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne featuring in 10 matches or more. Tony de Zorzi has had a good start though batting at the top for the Proteas, making 344 runs from 8 matches at an average of 49.14.
Ryan Rickleton and Tristan Stubbs are still finding their feet in this format, and would be looking to make this opportunity count. The Saffers stocks are quite fresh. But they’d be building the inexperience of their players don’t put their team at a disadvantage as they gear up to face a far settled Irish team that can beat any top nation on their day.
SA Playing XI : Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickleton, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk.), Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lungi Ngidi.
Ireland :
Ireland managed their first ever victory over South Africa in this format the last time these sides went head to head in the ODI series in Dublin in 2021.
Victories like that and the one they just notched in the T20 series here bring a monumental shift in the way an associate side like Ireland approach challenging a heavyweight like South Africa. The Irish team hasn’t undergone much changes since that series, with the core of the team still intact. Paul Stirling has taken the reins and done reasonably well, winning 5 out of 8 matches that he captained. Harry Tector averaging 58.5 and striking at 91 has been the standout Irish player in this time period, with five 100s from 33 games.
Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie and Andy McBrine have scored some useful runs at the top of the order, too. George Dockrell known for his clean ball striking has made more than 700 runs from 33 games with the highest of 91*.
Curtis Campher and Lorcan Tucker haven’t been able to maintain consistent run scoring, but they’ve loads of talent. With 42 wickets from 33 games, Mark Adair has relished leading the attack from the front. He has found excellent support in Craig Young and Andy McBrine, who have snared 30 and 28 wickets respectively in this period. Josh Little, who has made his mark in the white ball format, is not featuring in this series.
Ireland Playing XI : Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk.), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume
SA vs IRE Fantasy XI : Ryan Rickelton , Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Paul Stirling, Andile Phelukwayo (vc), Andie McBrine, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Ottniel Baartman, Lungi Ngidi
SA vs IRE : Top Performers from Ireland and South Africa
Best Batter : Ryan Rickleton :
South Africa batter Ryan Rickleton looked in good touch in the T20I series. He made 112 runs in two matches, including a half-century and will aim to continue in a similar manner to cement his spot in the ODI team.
Best Bowler: Mark Adair
Ireland pacer Mark Adair finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker in the T20I series. He is in remarkable form and has picked up a four-fer in the second T20I. He will be key for the team in the ODI series and will be hoping to get it done like he did in the shortest format.
SA vs IRE : Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Ireland win the toss and opt to bowl first
PP Score: 40-50
SA: 270-290
South Africa win the match
Scenario 2
South Africa win the toss and opt to bowl first
PP Score: 40-50
IRE: 220-240
South Africa win the match
South Africa are placed at the 3rd place of the Men’s ICC ODI rankings whereas Ireland is at the 12th place in the same list. The sides have met 8 times in the ODI format where South Africa won six games while Ireland managed to win a single game. The sides last collided in 2021 where the Proteas took the victory by a margin of 70 runs. The T20I series ended in a draw. However, South Africa will be prepared with their strong squad and will be looking to win the first ODI of the series.
Ireland’s chance of winning: 35%
South Africa’ chance of winning: 65%