South Africa's Predicted Playing XI Vs Australia, 3rd ODI, 2026

South Africa's predicted playing XI - (Source: AFP)On Wednesday, September 30, South Africa and Australia will square off for the 3rd and final ODI of the series. Senwes Park will host the dead rubber match as the Proteas have already clinched the series with a 2-0 lead.The 2nd ODI was a high-scoring game. The Rainbow Nation, batting first, rode on Temba Bavuma and David Miller’s century. They put 365/9 on the board. In reply, Australia got off to a brilliant start but lost their way in the middle.The Men in Yellow fell short by just 32 runs, and South Africa claimed the series. For the 3rd ODI, Australia will be forced to make a few changes to their playing XI due to injuries. Meanwhile, fans are curious about South Africa, who have no injury concerns but might make a few changes to test their bench strength.Meanwhile, this article will shed light on South Africa’s predicted playing XI vs Australia for 3rd ODI.Top Order - Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba BavumaSouth Africa might opt for a different opening pair for the dead-rubber. Quinton de Kock might be rested as he has just scored 29 runs in 2 matches. Ryan Rickelton might replace him at the top. He has played just a solitary match in this series, scoring 27 runs.Aiden Markram will open with Rickelton. The right-handed batter returned to the line-up for the 2nd ODI and registered a golden duck. He was unlucky as Cooper Connolly plucked a blinder to send Markram packing.Temba Bavuma will bat at No.3. The Proteas captain led the side from front in the 2nd ODI and slammed a brilliant century. The right-handed batter scored 103 (116).Middle Order - Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Duan JansenIn the middle order, Matthew Breetzke will bat at 4. He set a world record in the 2nd ODI as he now has the most runs by a batter after his first 15 ODI innings. Next, Tristan Stubbs will bat at No.5. The DC batter has played just a single ODI so far and scored 6 (8), which featured a solitary four. Also Read: Rating 5 Best Innings By South African Batters In Pink ODIsThe Proteas will give Stubbs a longer rope, and he will feature in the 3rd ODI as well. David Miller scored a brilliant century and amassed 142 (93). Meanwhile, Duan Jansen would be promoted up the order to give rest to his brother Marco Jansen.Duan Juansen played alongside his brother in the 2nd ODI, but might be asked to bat higher up the order for the dead-rubber. He didn’t pick up any wickets but scored a quickfire 27 (18). Bowlers - Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Keshav Maharaj, Nqobani MokoenaCorbin Bosch, who was rested for the 2nd ODI, might return for the 3rd match. The Proteas will look to try every combination before the 2027 ODI World Cup. Lizaad Williams too featured in the 2nd ODI, where he took 3 wickets and registered the figures of 3/54.Keshav Maharaj has been in sensational form as well. The left-arm spinner is the leading wicket-taker of the series with 6 scalps in 2 matches. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Nqobani Mokoena, who made his ODI debut against Namibia recently, could be brought into the playing XI.South Africa Playing XI vs Australia, 3rd ODIQuinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (C), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Corbin Bosch, Duan Jansen, Nqobani Mokoena, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad WilliamsAlso Read: Virat Kohli Builds His 'Ultimate ODI Batter'; No Place For MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma