Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test Prediction

If SA Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 400

The South Africans put up a great show with the bat in the first game and they will be expecting their batters to keep up the good work. Even Dean Elgar and JP Duminy who weren't in the best of forms got hundreds while Philander's 73 shows they have quite a depth in their batting. Quinton de Kock made 84 and 64 in the respective innings. He was the most consistent of all the batsmen and we predict him to be South Africa's top-scorer.

Joe Mennie is likely to replace Australia's seamer Peter Siddle who will be sitting out due to a back injury. So the hosts are to going rely mainly on their two frontline fast bowlers Hazlewood and Starc. Both took five wickets each in the first match and the tourists will need to be watchful against them, especially at the start of their innings. Hazlewood has taken seven wickets in his only match at this ground and he has a good chance of picking up the most wickets for Australia.

Aus vs SA Betting odds

South Africa have given a strong statement to world cricket that they can beat Australia in Australia without AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn. Their comfortable victory in the first game has seen a considerable reduction in the gap between the match odds for the two teams. The tourists are now 4.7 with 1xbet and 4.33 with bet365 while the hosts are slightly on the shorter side at 4.3 and 4.00 respectively. A draw is at 1.76 with betfair and 1.72 with bet365.

Aus vs SA: Our Prediction

Bellerive Oval has witnessed twelve test matches till date of which only two have ended in a draw, the most recent one dating back to 2001. Although all three results seem possible for this match, a draw comes out to be the least likely one as both teams have plenty of verve in their bowling attacks.

Australia have been nearly invincible at this ground. From their twelve tests, they have won nine and drawn two. They have faced defeat just once here and that too by a narrow margin of 7 runs at the hands of New Zealand in 2011. Moreover, South Africa have never played a test match here which further tips the scale in favor of the hosts.

South Africa, against all odds, won the first test handsomely and are on a verge of an incredible series win. But Australia have a knack of bouncing back from the worst of situations and this being a must-win situation for them, we predict them to hit back hard and level the series at Hobart.