Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has returned to lead his team in the third and final ODI against Australia in Mackay on Sunday.
Bavuma was rested from the series-clincher on Friday as a precaution but will not slot back into the No 3 position.
The in-form Matthew Breetzke, who is the first batter in history to score four 50-plus scores in his first four ODI appearances, takes a breather after suffering from a slight hamstring strain.
Plenty of changes in the seam department with Friday night’s heroes Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi being rested due to workload management.
Toss Update 🪙
🇦🇺 Australia have won the toss and elected to Bat first.
🔄 Three changes for the Proteas: Burger, Ngidi, and Breetzke are rested, with Bavuma, Bosch, and Maphaka coming into the XI.
Here’s how we line up for the final ODI. 🏏#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/EsZK8rWZD4
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 24, 2025
Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka return to the starting XI after missing the first two ODI’s.
Australia have also made two changes with Sean Abbott and Cooper Connolly and Josh Hazlewood and Aaron Hardie sitting out.
In a further change, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to bat – the first time he has opted to do so after calling correctly.
“Would have been nice to bat, looks a bit dry. Hopefully it spins during the day. Three changes for us. Burger and Ngidi have been rested as part of workload management and Breetzke has also been rested, I replace him. We want to be at our best,” Bavuma said.
TEAMS
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kwena Maphaka
