Australia vs South Africa Highlights: Australia beat South Africa in a thrilling T20I encounter, posting a competitive total of 178 runs in their 20 overs. The visitors were propelled by Tim David’s outstanding 83 off 52 balls, featuring four boundaries and eight sixes, which rescued Australia from early wickets and set a challenging target.
South Africa in Australia, 3 T20I Series, 2025
Australia
178 (20.0)
South Africa
161/9 (20.0)
Match Ended ( Day – 1st T20I )
Australia beat South Africa by 17 runs
Kwena Maphak took 4 wicktes
South Africa’s bowling effort was led by Kwena Maphaka, who took four wickets for 20 runs, becoming the youngest pace bowler among full member nations to achieve a four-wicket haul in a T20I. Maphaka’s spell was crucial in breaking the Australian batting momentum after David’s innings.
David’s Power-Hitting helped Australia win
Australia’s innings saw aggressive starts from Cameron Green, who scored 35 off 13 balls with four fours and three sixes, and quick contributions from Mitchell Marsh and Ben Dwarshuis. However, Maphaka’s incisive bowling dismantled the middle and lower order. Nathan Ellis and Dwarshuis provided valuable runs in the final overs to help Australia reach 178.
Chasing 179, South Africa began cautiously but lost early wickets, including captain Aiden Markram for 12 runs. Ryan Rickelton stood firm with a fighting 71 off 55 balls, supported by useful runs from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Tristan Stubbs. Despite Rickelton’s effort, South Africa’s innings faltered under pressure.
Australia’s bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood with three wickets for 27 runs, applied consistent pressure on the South African batsmen. Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, and Adam Zampa also contributed with key wickets, restricting South Africa to 161 for 9 by the end of their 20 overs.
The match highlighted powerful hitting and tight bowling from both sides, but Australia’s higher total and crucial breakthroughs with the ball gave them the edge in this closely fought contest. South Africa now faces an uphill task to chase down the target in the remaining overs.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Goes Big With Back-to-Back Sixes
15.4 – Muthusamy to David, SIX runs: Short and in the hitting arc, David rocks back and pulls it high and handsome onto the roof at deep square leg.
15.5 – Muthusamy to David, SIX runs: Full on leg, David clears his front leg and unleashes a powerful slog sweep, flat and deep into the midwicket stands.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Dwarshuis Departs After Handy Knock
Maphaka to Dwarshuis — OUT! Dwarshuis tries to go over the top but doesn’t get enough on it, offering a straightforward catch to Markram at mid-off.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Rabada Concedes Boundary to Dwarshuis
Rabada to Dwarshuis — FOUR runs. Not off the middle, but effective nonetheless as Dwarshuis toes it past deep third, finding the gap for a much-needed boundary.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Reaches Half-Century in Style
Corbin Bosch to David — FOUR runs. Cracked through the covers with pure timing and power. The ball races to the fence in no time, bringing up a well-deserved fifty for Tim David.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Hooks for Maximum
Corbin Bosch to David — SIX runs. Short ball climbing toward the armpit, David swivels into the hook shot. He doesn’t quite middle it, but it still carries comfortably over the fence. In the crowd, a fan holding a beer pulls off a spectacular one-handed catch, drawing loud cheers.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Clears the Roof in Spectacular Style
Muthusamy to David — SIX runs! Tossed up wide outside off, David drops to one knee and launches it miles over cover. The ball soars out of the ground and onto the roof — an extraordinary strike that forces the umpires to call for a new ball.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Linde Punished by Dwarshuis
Linde to Dwarshuis — FOUR runs! The left-hander goes for a slog sweep, sending the ball soaring over square leg for a well-timed boundary.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Australia Struggling at the Halfway Mark
At the end of 10 overs, Australia find themselves in a precarious position at 88/6, scoring at a current run rate of 8.80. Only one run came off the latest over, bowled by the economical Senuran Muthusamy, who has delivered two overs for just two runs and one wicket.
Tim David remains the key hope for Australia, unbeaten on 29 from 17 balls, with two boundaries and three towering sixes to his name. Ben Dwarshuis is at the other end on 3 from six deliveries, looking to provide support.
Kwena Maphaka has also kept things tight, returning figures of 2-0-15-0 so far, as South Africa’s bowlers continue to apply pressure and restrict scoring opportunities.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Launches Maphaka Over the Ropes
David gets under the length delivery and smashes it high and long over midwicket for a towering six.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Maxwell Falls Early to Muthusamy
Maxwell looks to work it away but ends up offering a simple catch to Linde at cover, departing for just 1 off 5 balls.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Maphaka Cleans Up Owen
Maphaka delivers a peach that beats Owen’s defence and crashes into the stumps, sending him back for just 2 off 4 balls.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Green departs
Ngidi gets his revenge as Green looks to go big again but only manages to edge it high towards the keeper. Rickelton makes no mistake, ending Green’s blistering 35 off just 13 balls.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Green Whips Ngidi for Back-to-Back Sixes
Ngidi angles one into the pads, but Green is ready. A beautifully timed whip off his legs sends the ball soaring over the boundary for another six.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Green Launches Bosch Over the Ropes
Corbin Bosch pitches it slightly fuller, and Green makes him pay. With a smooth swing through the line — no brute force needed — he sends the ball sailing for a majestic six.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Welcomes Bosch with a Boundary
Corbin Bosch comes into the attack, but David greets him in style. A confident stroke races away to the fence for four runs, setting the tone for the over.
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: David Goes Big Down the Ground
Rabada delivers, but David isn’t holding back. Stepping down the track, he meets the ball cleanly and sends it soaring straight over the bowler’s head for a massive six. That’s a statement shot!
Australia vs South Africa LIVE Cricket Score: Rabada Sends Marsh Packing
Rabada strikes again! Marsh tries to clear the leg side boundary but only manages to send the ball soaring high into the night sky. The shot lacks the distance, and Maphaka settles under it in the deep to complete the catch. Australia lose their third wicket.
Australia vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE: Travis Head walks back to pavilion
After an expensive over, Rabada strikes back. Travis Head tries to hit the ball. Kwena Maphaka takes the catch. Big one for the Proteas! AUS 15/1 (2)
Australia vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE: Blazing start from Aussies
Lungi Ngidi pitched one right up to Mitchell Marsh and the Aussie skipper launched it clean over long-off for six. A perfect way to usher in the cricketing season in Australia.
Ngidi’s woes continues. he followed up with a wayward delivery wide outside off, and Marsh hammered it to the fence, capping off an expensive opening over. AUS 14/0 (1)