Australia Survive South African Storm to Clinch 3rd ODI by 18 Runs, Win Series 2-1

Australia survived a ferocious South African fightback to clinch the three-match ODI series with a tense 18-run victory in the 3rd and final ODI at Perth Stadium on January 20, 2026, securing the series 2-1. Defending 312 on a pace-friendly Perth pitch, Australia restricted South Africa to 294 for 9 in 50 overs despite Temba Bavuma’s heroic 124 off 128 balls* and Tristan Stubbs’ explosive 98 off 92. Adam Zampa’s 4 for 58 and Josh Hazlewood’s 3 for 62 choked the middle and death overs, with 18 extras the difference. Australia had earlier posted 312 for 6, powered by Steve Smith’s elegant 112 (his 32nd ODI century) and Travis Head’s aggressive 78 off 68, their 112-run third-wicket stand setting the platform. The win — Australia’s first ODI series victory over South Africa since 2016 — marks their ninth straight bilateral ODI series lead at home and ends a rare home series defeat streak.

Perth Stadium’s fast outfield and bouncy pitch produced a high-octane contest under floodlights, with 606 runs scored in 100 overs. Pat Cummins’ decision to bat first exploited early bounce, but Bavuma’s century nearly turned the game. For Temba Bavuma, the defeat was heartbreaking — his side’s inability to finish the chase despite Bavuma’s 124 costing them the series. As Hazlewood yorked last man Lungi Ngidi to spark wild celebrations, the series narrative closed: Australia’s bowling depth prevails, South Africa’s resilience shines in defeat.

Australia XI Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa XI Aiden Markram (c), Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Australia – 312-6 (50 overs) Head and Short gave a blazing start — 88 for 1 in 12 overs. Short fell for 38, caught at deep square off Rabada. Head reached 78 off 68 (8×4, 3×6) before skying Ngidi. Smith and Labuschagne added 112 — Smith’s 112 (118 balls, 10×4, 2×6) vintage, Labuschagne 62 off 78. Maxwell (38 off 28) and Stoinis (28 off 18) pushed the total, but Rabada’s death yorkers (2-58) and Maharaj’s googly web (2-62) restricted the surge.

South Africa – 294-9 (50 overs) De Zorzi (28) and Rickelton (38) added 68 before Starc bowled Rickelton. Bavuma and Bedingham forged 168 in 142 balls — Bavuma’s 124* (128 balls, 12×4, 2×6) clinical, Bedingham 89 off 92 (9×4, 3×6) aggressive. Stubbs (28 off 18) and Verreynne (22 off 12) added quick runs before Zampa skied Stubbs — 278 for 4 in the 45th. Maharaj (8 off 5) and Bavuma finished with ease.

Key Moments

• Bavuma-Bedingham 168-run stand — highest 3rd-wicket vs AUS in ODIs in Perth
• Smith’s 112 — his 32nd ODI ton, equaling Ponting’s record
• Zampa’s 4-58 — best figures by an Australian spinner vs SA in Perth
• 18-run win margin — Australia’s narrowest home win vs SA since 2018
• 606 aggregate runs — highest in an Australia-SA ODI at Perth

Player of the Match: Steve Smith (112 & 1 catch)

Pat Cummins: “Steve’s ton set it up; bowlers finished it perfectly. Series done — now T20Is.”

Temba Bavuma: “We were close but Zampa’s spell hurt. Need to show more fight in the T20s.”

Final Series Result: Australia 2–1 South Africa

Australia now turn to home T20Is vs India (February); South Africa head to Pakistan for Tests in March.

Home fortress intact — Australia march on.