Australia v South Africa Boxing Day Test: Prediction & Best Bets

South Africa will be looking to level the series when they take on Australia in the second Test at the MCG in Melbourne. The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is always one of the great sporting spectacles, and cricket punter Lwanele Poswayo is back with his prediction and best bets. He got four out of five of his best bets correct in the previous Test and will be looking for more of the same.

The Proteas will be looking for a repeat of the 2008 Boxing Day performance when they beat the Aussies by 9 wickets.

Temba Bavuma

This South African batting lineup is, arguably, the worst I’ve seen represent the Proteas in a long time. Bavuma has been their best Test batsman this year averaging 41.25 with three fifties. He also has a good record against Australia, averaging 40.55 with three fifties to his name.

He showed good signs in the first Test with decent starts, scoring 38 & 29 and will be eager to kick on in Melbourne. His odds for 50+ runs are at 3.75 and to be SA’s top first-innings batsman at 6.00. I see value in backing him to be the Proteas’ top first-innings batsman.

Suggested Bet: Temba Bavuma to be South Africa’s top 1st innings batsman at 6.00

Alternative Bet: Temba Bavuma to score 50+ runs at 3.75

Travis Head

The first Test’s Player of the Match Travis Head has had a brilliant year in Test cricket. He’s scored 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and continued his great form with 92 runs in Australia’s first innings. He was one of my players to watch for this series and has so far, proven me right.

Again, there’s value in backing Head to be Australia’s top first-innings batsman at 6.00 and I’m confident he’ll deliver.

Suggested Bet: Travis Head to be Australia’s top first innings batsman at 6.00

Kagiso Rabada

The leading wicket-taker in Tests this year, Kagiso Rabada had a fantastic first Test. He took 4/79 & 4/13 in the first and second innings respectively. He was one of my four bets that landed in the first Test and I’m going to back him again. Australia are his second favourite opponent in this format behind England as he proved with his performance at The Gabba.

Back him to be South Africa’s top first-innings bowler at 3.50.

Suggested Bet: Kagiso Rabada to be South Africa’s top first-innings bowler at 3.50

Prediction

You have to go back to 1931 for the last time a Test match in Australia ended within two days. It was mainly due to South Africa’s poor batsmen, the pitch and the quality of the bowlers from both sides. The pitch at the MCG will be better for batting but I still expect this Test to finish within 3 to 4 days.

Expect an improvement in terms of the scores in the Proteas’ first and second innings, but Australia should come out on top once again in the Boxing Day Test.