South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Prediction and Betting Odds

With the series tied 1-1, South Africa and Australia will play in the final Test to determine a winner.

The 3rd Test will take place at Newlands, Cape Town, with the first day of a potential five being played on Tuesday, October 27. The first ball will be around 19:30 AEST.

The Test could finish on Sunday, November 1 (early hours) if all five days are required, but can the Baggy Greens snatch victory?

Quick Picks

Our pick: South Africa to win

Value bet: Jansen to be Player of the Match

Long shot: Draw

Betting Preview

It’s been a thrilling series between the two top-ranked nations in Test cricket. The Aussies started with a dominant victory, winning by 214 runs after scoring 300+ in both innings.

With both sides stacked with stars, it is worth seeing which of these players might one day feature among the greatest cricketers of all time.

However, the hosts made sure to record their own dominant display victory in the 2nd Test, as the number 2-ranked nation won by a devastating innings and 31 runs.

Captain Temba Bavuma posted 179 from 334 balls in South Africa’s only innings, being named Player of the Match in the process. Their tail wagged hard too, as Marco Jansen posted 85 (100), and Simon Harmer notched 82 (157).

They decided to declare on 9-425, with Scott Boland registering 5/81 from his 29 overs. Mitchell Starc had 3/89 before the declaration.

The Baggy Greens struggled in reply, and were skittled out for 99 in their first innings, with Steve Smith top-scoring with 28. Jansen was the pick of the bowlers, registering 5/33 from 11 overs, with Wiaan Mulder’s 2/14 the next best.

The second innings was slightly better after they were forced to follow on, but it was far from a vintage performance. Travis Head added to his 14 from the first innings with a century (121 from 190), but it was in vain.

Boland added 40, but Kagiso Rabada justified his return to the team with 4/77 from 23 overs, while Mulder took 3/64. Jansen took just one wicket in the second innings.

Betting Markets to Watch

The early Test cricket betting odds appear to reflect what has happened in the two Test matches so far. It’s pretty much a coin-flip as to who could win.

That means value could be worth exploring outside of the moneyline. Jansen has been fairly consistent throughout the series, which is why he could be worth value in the Player of the Match market. 

He has taken wickets in both matches and has scored important runs each time he has been to bat.

Rabada has value for South Africa if he plays to be their leading wicket-taker. He found his rhythm with the ball in the second Test after missing the first, and could start hot after a positive spell. He has a very good wicket record against Australia.

Boland’s return to the Green Baggies proved fruitful with both bat and ball. He has the potential to be the leading wicket-taker again, adding to the five-fer he took in the Second Test.

Our Prediction

Check the latest South Africa vs Australia betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our prediction is a South Africa win, as they’ll be feeling more confident on their own batting track in Cape Town.

Our long shot is a draw. We’ve had all possible outcomes so far, and with both sides ranked as the top two Test nations, there’s a genuine chance that this game could end in a tie.