South Africa and Australia are set to kick off their highly anticipated three-match ODI series on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, with the opener taking place at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns, starting at 14:30 local time (04:30 GMT). This series marks the return of South African skipper Temba Bavuma to ODI leadership, backed by a largely full-strength side featuring exciting new talents such as Dewald Brevis, Lhuan‑dre Pretorius, and Prenelan Subrayen, all earning spots following notable performances in Zimbabwe and domestic circuits.
Australia, on the other hand, arrive with a renewed lineup, missing stalwarts Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, who have retired from the format. Captaincy and responsibility now fall to Mitchell Marsh, while Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green are entrusted with anchoring the middle order. The pitch at Cairns is expected to offer a slower playing surface, favoring disciplined strokes and strategic bowling, with early toss decisions likely to be influential given anticipated dew later in the day .
Adding a charming off-field touch to the cricketing rivalry, Bavuma and Australia’s Marsh recently amused fans by re-enacting the iconic “arms-wide-open” Bollywood pose, popularized by Shah Rukh Khan—a playful union of cricket and cinema that lifted spirits ahead of the fierce competition.
As the Proteas aim to kickstart their buildup to co-hosting the 2027 World Cup with a statement win, and the Aussies look to assert their dominance at home, the stage is set for a thrilling battle under sunny Cairns skies.
