South Africa Edge Australia by 4 Wickets in Thrilling 2nd ODI to Level Series 1-1
In a pulsating day-night classic at the Adelaide Oval, South Africa clawed back from defeat to level the three-match ODI series with a tense four-wicket victory over Australia in the 2nd ODI on January 17, 2026. Chasing 328 under the Adelaide lights on a pitch that offered early bounce and later grip, South Africa overcame a mid-innings wobble to reach 329 for 6 in 49.3 overs, powered by Temba Bavuma’s masterful 112 off 118 balls* (10 fours, 2 sixes) and Tristan Stubbs’ aggressive 89 off 92 (9 fours, 3 sixes). Their 168-run third-wicket partnership turned a tricky chase into a controlled affair. Australia had earlier posted 327 for 6, built on Steve Smith’s elegant 142 (his 31st ODI century) and Travis Head’s aggressive 78 off 68, but Keshav Maharaj’s 3 for 52 and Kagiso Rabada’s 2 for 58 kept the total under par. This win — South Africa’s first successful chase in Adelaide against Australia since 2016 — levels the series at 1-1 and sets up a decider in Perth.
The Adelaide Oval, bathed in golden afternoon sun turning to floodlit drama, hosted 48,000 fans — the highest attendance for an Australia-South Africa ODI in Adelaide since 2019. The pink-soil pitch, with its true bounce and short square boundaries, favored strokeplay, but dew post-30 overs made bowling a nightmare. Pat Cummins’ decision to bat first was tactical, exploiting early moisture before the surface eased. For Temba Bavuma, the victory was a statement — his side’s batting depth and death bowling proving too much. As Bavuma flicked the winning single off Mitchell Starc amid fireworks and chants of “Bavuma! Bavuma!”, the series narrative tilted: South Africa’s resilience roars, Australia facing a potential home series loss.
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 – 327-6 (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 142 (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 (3-52) restricted the surge.
South Africa – 329-6 (49.3 overs) De Zorzi (48) and Rickelton (68) added 112 before Starc bowled Rickelton. Bavuma and Bedingham forged 168 in 142 balls — Bavuma’s 112* (118 balls, 10×4, 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 Adelaide
- Smith’s 142 — his 31st ODI ton, equaling Ponting’s record
- Maharaj’s 3-52 — best figures by a South African spinner in Adelaide
- 4-wicket win margin — South Africa’s largest successful chase in Adelaide vs AUS
- 656 aggregate runs — highest in an Australia-SA ODI at Adelaide
Player of the Match: Temba Bavuma (112*)
Pat Cummins: “We were 20-30 short. Credit to SA — they chased like champions.”
Temba Bavuma: “Bedingham and I stayed calm. Perth decider — we’re ready.”
Series: Australia 1–1 South Africa Next → 3rd ODI: Perth Stadium — January 20-24 (D/N)
Australia eye series salvage; South Africa one win from whitewash. The series heats up under Perth lights.
