ODI World Cup 2023, Semi-Final 2: South Africa's strongest predicted playing XI against Australia

In the pivotal second semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Australia (AUS) are set to face off against South Africa (SA) at the iconic Eden Gardens, in Kolkata. South Africa, finishing the group stage in second place with seven victories, squares off against Australia, trailing just behind with an equal number of wins and losses. Yet, Australia ride on a seven-game winning streak, showcasing superior form leading up to this crucial clash on the cricketing stage.

Here's South Africa's Predicted XI against Australia:

Openers: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma

Quinton de Kock has been enjoying a dominant run in the ongoing tournament so far as he’s the second-leading run-scorer of the event with 591 runs to his name from nine innings at an average of 65.67 and a strike rate of 111.3. De Kock will be eager to notch up a big score in the upcoming fixture to help his team reach the final of the marquee event.

Temba Bavuma has had a forgettable campaign in the ongoing tournament as he’s only scored 145 runs from seven innings at an average of 17.33 and a strike rate of 74.93. The Proteas captain will look to find some form against the mighty Aussies in the semifinal.

Check Here: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Middle Order: Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller

Rassie van der Dussen has been in great form in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, having scored 442 runs from nine innings at an average of 50.54 and a strike rate of 91.89. The 34-year-old has scored two hundred and two fifty in the tournament so far and will be hungry for another big innings in the upcoming fixture. Aiden Markram has been another strong pillar in the South African middle order as he’s scored 396 runs from nine innings at an average of 52 with one hundred and three fifties to his name. The 29-year-old earlier scored a 48-ball hundred against Sri Lanka and will be eager to play another quick-fire innings in the upcoming fixture.

Heinrich Klaasen has been the destroyer of bowling attacks throughout this World Cup as he’s scored 326 runs from nine innings at an average of 41.14 and a magnificent strike rate of 144.29. The 32-year-old was dismissed for just 10 against Afghanistan in the last game and hence will be eager to go big against Australia. David Miller hasn’t had many balls to play as the middle order has done the bulk of the scoring for his side. The southpaw has scored 255 runs from nine innings at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 127.62 with one fifty to his name. Miller will look to once again play a quick-fire innings lower down the order and help his side to propel their total.

All Rounder: Marco Jansen

Jansen has been phenomenal with both bat and ball in the ongoing tournament as he’s played the role of an all-rounder perfectly. He has scored 157 runs from seven innings at an average of 39.25. During these games, he has carried an astounding strike rate of 111.34 with one half-century to his name.

The 23-year-old is also the leading wicket-taker for his side. Notably, Jansen has been in red-hot form with the ball as he has 17 wickets to his name from eight innings. Besides, he took these wickets at a decent average of 24.41 and an economy of 6.41. Hence, on the big day in Kolkata, it will be interesting to see how the lanky pacer fares for the Proteas.

Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Keshav Maharaj bowled a brilliant spell of 2/25 in ten overs against Afghanistan as he kept a tight hold on the game. The left-arm spinner has picked 14 wickets from eight innings at an average of 26.75 and an economy of 4.65. Maharaj will look to bowl another crucial spell in the middle overs in the upcoming fixture. Tabraiz Shamsi leaked runs against India even in favourable conditions as he registered figures of 1/72 in a ten-over spell and hence was rested for the last match against Afghanistan. The left-arm spinner has picked seven wickets in three innings at an average of 24.28 and an economy of 6.10.

Shamsi will be desperate to turn things around in the upcoming fixture after an expensive show against India. Meanwhile, speaking of the fiery pacer, Kagiso Rabada, he has scalped 12 wickets so far from seven innings at an average of 23.58 and an economy of 4.97. The right-arm speedster will look to continue his brilliant spell against Aussies as well. Gerald Coetzee took four wickets in the last game against Afghanistan and looked quite threatening as well. The 23-year-old has been in sensational form in the tournament so far having picked 18 wickets from seven innings at an average of 20.78 and an economy of 6.78.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

South Africa's Predicted XI:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee