Five takeaways from Proteas’ Australia series

South Africa claimed a 2-1 series win over Australia, with several lessons emerging ahead of next year’s World Cup.

South Africa missed out on the whitewash after Australia won the rain-affected third ODI by 45 runs on the DLS method, but the Proteas had already secured the series with victories in Durban and Johannesburg.

Here are five takeaways from the three-match series.

Proteas can win in different ways

The first two victories could hardly have been more different.

At Kingsmead, Matthew Breetzke’s 112 and Marco Jansen’s 75 dragged South Africa to 297-8 before the spinners dismantled Australia for 230. Three days later at the Wanderers, the Proteas went big, posting 365-9 on the back of centuries from Temba Bavuma and David Miller.

Being able to adapt to different surfaces and match situations will be important with the World Cup being staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

READ: Maharaj underlines World Cup importance

Spin could be South Africa’s biggest weapon

Australia’s problems against spin were exposed repeatedly.

Keshav Maharaj returned 4-20 in Durban, while Bjorn Fortuin took 2-34 as the pair combined for six wickets. At the Wanderers, Fortuin removed Mitchell Marsh after his explosive 84, Aiden Markram dismissed Travis Head for 84 and Maharaj claimed Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw.

It gives South Africa options. Maharaj remains the leading spinner, but Fortuin’s performances showed the Proteas can consider playing two frontline left-arm spinners when conditions suit.

Bavuma and Miller remain invaluable

South Africa were 36-2 in the second ODI before Bavuma helped rebuild the innings.

The captain made 103 from 116 balls before Miller accelerated spectacularly, smashing a career-best 142 from 93 deliveries. Their 156-run partnership shifted the match and eventually helped South Africa reach 365-9.

With so much emphasis on younger players ahead of 2027, the series was also a reminder that South Africa’s experienced core still has a major role to play.

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Breetzke keeps rising

Breetzke was one of the standout batters of the series.

His 112 in Durban came after South Africa slipped to 29-2 and provided the foundation for their opening victory. He followed that with 34 from 28 balls at the Wanderers.

Competition for batting places is fierce, but Breetzke continues to give the selectors reasons to keep him involved as they shape their World Cup combination.

Depth is growing, but work remains

South Africa rested Bavuma, Miller, Maharaj and Marco Jansen for the final ODI, giving others an opportunity against an Australian side strengthened by the return of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Corbin Bosch responded with 4-60 and Ryan Rickelton made an unbeaten 71, although the Proteas were 145-4 chasing 323 when rain ended the contest. Australia won by 45 runs on DLS.

The clean sweep disappeared, but the bigger picture remains positive. South Africa won the series while learning more about the players competing for places behind their established core.

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Photo: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images

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