South Africa vs. Australia Prediction: South Africa have turned things around after going 2-0 down to level the series 2-2

South Africa will be facing off against Australia in the fifth and final game of the ODI Series being played at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. South Africa have turned things around after going 2-0 down to level the series 2-2. Who will win this game and the tournament?

South Africa is beginning to gain momentum and demonstrate their potential to the world. After losing the first three T20I matches and the subsequent two ODI matches, South Africa has managed to secure two consecutive victories, levelling the series.

The fourth-game victory was primarily attributed to Klaasen's outstanding performance, scoring an impressive 174 runs from 83 deliveries, including 13 fours and 13 sixes. Collectively, the team posted a remarkable total of 416 runs in the first innings, a target that Australia couldn't come close to. Other notable contributions came from de Kock (45), van der Russen (62), and Miller (82), which proved crucial, especially in the absence of the injured Bavuma. Bavuma is expected to return for the fifth and final ODI match.

The exceptional performance was not limited to the batsmen, as the bowlers also raised their game, delivering a relentless attack that kept Australia struggling. Pace bowlers Ngidi (4/51) and Rabada (3/41) posed significant threats to the Australian side, preventing them from gaining any substantial momentum. Although fast bowler Nortje is unavailable for the fifth game due to injury, South Africa remains a formidable team.

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Australia's situation has gone from bad to worse after their humiliating 164-run defeat, following a previous 111-run loss in the third ODI. This has raised significant concerns about both their batting and bowling line-ups, with a particular focus on Travis Head's injury. Unfortunately, Head had to retire hurt after sustaining an injury to his left hand, and there are concerns that he might miss the upcoming World Cup.

Losing an opening batsman of Head's calibre is a substantial setback, especially considering his consistently strong performance in the South Africa series. He has amassed 481 runs in his last 10 ODI matches, boasting an impressive average of 60.13. While Australia possesses talented batsmen who can potentially fill Head's shoes, his absence would still be felt, particularly in the context of the upcoming World Cup. In the fourth game, Alex Carey was the standout performer with 99 runs, coming agonizingly close to a century, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled. Marcus Stoinis, in particular, has been disappointing, managing only 45 runs across three ODI games.

There is speculation about whether spinner Sangha might replace Zampa for the fifth game, given Zampa's challenging performance in the previous match, where he conceded 113 runs without taking a wicket, resulting in an economy rate of 11.30. On the pace front, Hazlewood also faced difficulties, securing 2/79 in his 10 overs.

David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

The pitch at Johannesburg is renowned for its balance, offering favourable conditions for both pace bowlers and batsmen, with several memorable performances in the past. It typically results in high-scoring games, with an average first-innings total of approximately 246 runs. In the 51 ODI matches held at this venue, 28 have been won by the team batting first, indicating an even playing field. Johannesburg's weather is expected to be ideal, with a temperature of around 27°C.

Currently, the home team holds a significant advantage, with both their batsmen and bowlers displaying growing confidence and improving skills. The absence of Australia's Travis Head is a noticeable setback, and it's possible that the Australian side is feeling fatigued after an extended series away from home. Given these factors, it's highly likely that South Africa will secure a convincing victory to claim the ODI series 3-2.

Our recommendation is to bet on South Africa to win.