When Australia welcomed South Africa to Darwin on August 10th, anticipation was sky-high. A six-match white-ball contest split into three T20Is and three ODIs promised fireworks—and the series delivered exactly that, albeit with contrasting fortunes in each format.
By the time the series wrapped up on August 24 across Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay, both teams had traded blows and split honors.
Australia clinched the T20Is 2-1, while South Africa roared back to take the ODIs 2-1.
T20Is: Australia Edge the Thriller
The T20I leg belonged to the hosts, but only just. Australia set the tone in the opening clash at Darwin, thanks to Tim David’s brutal 83 off 52 balls under the lights. South Africa’s young pacer, Kwena Maphaka, threatened to derail proceedings with a fiery four-wicket burst that restricted the Aussies to 178.
Chasing 179, Ryan Rickelton’s 71 kept the Proteas alive, but the trio of Josh Hazlewood, Ben Dwarshius, and Adam Zampa held their nerve, securing a 17-run win.
The second game saw the emergence of a superstar. Dewald Brevis, already hyped as the “Baby AB,” lived up to his billing with an outrageous 125* from just 56 balls.
His innings laced with 12 fours and 8 sixes powered South Africa to 218/7, leaving the Darwin crowd stunned. Australia fought back through another David blitz, but Maphaka and Corbin Bosch’s death bowling proved decisive as the Proteas leveled the series 1-1.
With everything on the line in Cairns, South Africa once again banked on Brevis. The young prodigy hammered 53 off 26 balls, tormenting the bowlers with fearless strokeplay, including his trademark no-look six. Yet, the visitors managed to post only 172/7 on the board.
This time, Australia’s top order took charge. Skipper Mitchell Marsh’s composed 54, followed by Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 62, saw the hosts home with ease, clinching the series 2-1 and giving their fans plenty to celebrate.
While Australia’s depth and composure won them the trophy, the T20Is will be remembered for Brevis’ audacious batting and Maphaka’s nine wickets, including a career-best 4/20. The Proteas may have lost the battle, but they unearthed future match-winners.
ODIs: Proteas Roar Back
If the T20Is were Australia’s stage, the ODIs saw South Africa flip the script. Often accused of crumbling in crunch moments, the Proteas displayed poise and determination to seal a dominant series win.
Both sides entered the ODIs with transition stories. Australia were without Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith, both having retired earlier in the year, while South Africa missed Heinrich Klaasen.
Into the void stepped Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie for Australia, while Brevis made his much-anticipated ODI debut.
The first ODI at Cairns showcased South Africa’s balance. Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and Matthew Breetzke contributed solid runs to post 296/8. But it was Keshav Maharaj who stole the headlines.
The spinner delivered a masterclass, returning 5/33 to become the first overseas bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in an ODI series against Australia. His spell flattened the hosts, as South Africa cruised to a 98-run win.
Eager to respond, Australia entered the second ODI determined to bounce back. Yet, Matthew Breetzke continued his golden run, scoring 88 and scripting history by notching fifty plus scores in each of his first four ODIs.
The Proteas posted 277, a competitive total. What followed, however, was Lungi Ngidi’s night to remember. Inspired by Maharaj’s feat, he ripped through Australia with 5/42 in just 8.4 overs.
The Aussies folded meekly, conceding the series 2-0. Ngidi’s spell placed him alongside Maharaj in history as only the second bowler to claim an ODI fifer against Australia on their home turf.
With the series already gone, Australia found pride in the final ODI at Mackay. Travis Head (142) and Mitchell Marsh (100) bamboozled the Proteas attack, before Cameron Green (118*) and Alex Carey (50*) combined to lift Australia to a mammoth 431/2.
The Proteas, rattled and overwhelmed, collapsed for 155. Young spinner Cooper Connolly added gloss to Australia’s victory with a career-best 5/22, as the hosts salvaged a 276-run consolation win.
A Balanced Outcome
At the end of two weeks, the numbers told the story: Australia 2-1 in T20Is, South Africa 2-1 in ODIs. Neither team left Darwin, Cairns and Mackay empty-handed.
For Australia, the emergence of Tim David as a T20 powerhouse, Marsh’s consistency in ODIs, and Connolly’s wizardry with the ball were significant takeaways. South Africa, meanwhile, will be impressed by Brevis’ 180 T20I runs, Maphaka’s nine wickets along with Maharaj and Ngidi’s historic five-fers.
For both Australia and South Africa, the series underlined a simple truth. This rivalry, far from fading, is alive, fierce, and ready for its next chapter.
Image Courtesy: Proteas Men
