South Africa Beat Australia by 32 Runs in 2nd ODI: Miller and Bavuma Centuries

South Africa defeated Australia by 32 runs in the second ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on September 27, 2026, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. After Australia won the toss and chose to field, South Africa recovered from 36/2 and 93/3 to post 365/9 in 50 overs. Temba Bavuma scored 103 from 116 balls, while David Miller produced the defining innings of the first half with 142 from just 93 deliveries. Their 156-run fourth-wicket partnership transformed the innings after Australia’s bowlers had made an early impact.

Australia made a strong attempt at the chase, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head both scoring 84. However, the visitors lost wickets in the middle and late stages and were eventually dismissed for 333 in 49.5 overs. Jack Edwards’ five-wicket haul had earlier restricted South Africa’s total, but Australia’s batting could not complete the chase.

Match Details

The second ODI was played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The series had begun with South Africa winning the opening ODI in Durban by 67 runs, so the hosts’ second victory sealed the three-match ODI series with one match still remaining.

Match Result and Scorecard

South Africa Batting

South Africa’s scorecard was dominated by Bavuma’s 103 and Miller’s 142. The two added 156 runs for the fourth wicket after South Africa had slipped to 93/3.

Australia Bowling

Jack Edwards was Australia’s standout bowler, finishing with 5/67 from his 10 overs. Josh Hazlewood added three wickets for 70 runs.

What Happened in the Match?

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first at the Wanderers. The decision initially appeared to work as Josh Hazlewood removed Aiden Markram with the first ball of the innings and then dismissed Quinton de Kock for 15. South Africa were 36/2 after de Kock’s dismissal.

Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke rebuilt the innings, but Jack Edwards then dismissed Breetzke for 34. That left South Africa 93/3 and gave Australia another opportunity to restrict the hosts to a moderate total.

Instead, Bavuma and Miller changed the direction of the innings. Bavuma played the anchor role while Miller attacked from the other end, and their 156-run partnership took South Africa from 93/3 to 249/4.

Miller accelerated dramatically after reaching his hundred. His 142 came from 93 balls and included 12 fours and nine sixes, giving South Africa a substantial late-innings advantage. Edwards eventually removed Miller, but South Africa still finished on 365/9.

Australia required 366 to level the series. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave the visitors an excellent platform, but South Africa kept taking wickets often enough to prevent the chase from developing into a successful one. Australia eventually reached 333 and were bowled out with one ball remaining in the 50th over.

First Innings

South Africa’s innings could be divided into two contrasting phases.

The first was Australia’s strong start with the ball. Markram was dismissed from the first delivery, while Hazlewood removed de Kock for 15. When Edwards dismissed Breetzke for 34, South Africa were reduced to 93/3.

The second phase belonged to Bavuma and Miller. Bavuma’s century came from 116 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes, while Miller scored at a much faster rate and turned the partnership into a major scoring period.

Their 156-run stand was the central partnership of the innings. Once Miller departed for 142, Edwards continued to work through the lower order, eventually finishing with five wickets.

South Africa nevertheless accelerated towards the end. Marco Jansen made 19 from 15 balls and Duan Jansen finished unbeaten on 27 from 18 balls. The late contribution took the total to 365/9.

Second Innings / Run Chase

Australia’s chase began positively. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head both made 84, providing the main foundation for the pursuit of 366. Their contributions kept Australia in contention for a significant part of the innings.

However, Australia could not maintain the same level of scoring after the top order. The middle and lower order were unable to produce a partnership large enough to close the 366-run target.

South Africa’s bowlers continued taking wickets at important stages. Lizaad Williams finished with 3/54, while Marco Jansen took two wickets for 53 runs. The final wicket fell with Australia on 333 in the 49.5th over, leaving the visitors 32 runs short.

The result gave South Africa a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Key Turning Points

1. Hazlewood’s double strike

Hazlewood dismissed Aiden Markram with the first ball and then removed Quinton de Kock for 15. South Africa were reduced to 36/2, giving Australia early control.

2. Bavuma and Miller’s 156-run partnership

The fourth-wicket partnership between Bavuma and Miller changed the innings. South Africa moved from 93/3 to 249/4, recovering from the early wickets and establishing the platform for a total above 350.

3. Miller’s acceleration

Miller’s 142 from 93 balls, including nine sixes, significantly increased South Africa’s scoring rate. His dismissal by Edwards was important, but the damage had already been done.

4. Australia lose momentum after the Marsh-Head contribution

Marsh and Head both scored 84, but Australia could not convert their strong start into the required finishing push. The loss of wickets through the latter stages left the target out of reach.

5. Williams closes out the chase

Lizaad Williams’ three wickets helped South Africa finish the job as Australia slipped from a competitive position to 333 all out.

Top Batting Performances

David Miller — 142 off 93 balls

Miller produced the highest individual score of the match. His innings contained 12 fours and nine sixes and came at a strike rate of 152.69. His acceleration after South Africa’s early difficulties was central to the hosts reaching 365/9.

Temba Bavuma — 103 off 116 balls

Bavuma provided the stability that allowed South Africa to rebuild. His 103 included 10 fours and two sixes, and his 156-run partnership with Miller formed the backbone of the innings.

Mitchell Marsh — 84 off 53 balls

Marsh scored 84 at a strike rate of 158.49 during Australia’s chase. His innings gave Australia an early platform while pursuing the 366-run target.

Travis Head — 84 off 76 balls

Head also made 84, contributing alongside Marsh to Australia’s strong start. However, Australia’s subsequent wickets prevented the chase from reaching its final target.

Top Bowling Performances

Jack Edwards — 5/67

Edwards claimed five South African wickets from his 10 overs. His wickets included Bavuma, Breetzke, Miller, Stubbs and Marco Jansen, and his spell prevented South Africa from pushing the total even higher.

Edwards’ five-wicket haul was also a notable statistical achievement: he became only the second Australian bowler to take an ODI five-wicket haul against South Africa on their home ground, after Nathan Bracken.

Josh Hazlewood — 3/70

Hazlewood’s three wickets came at crucial points in South Africa’s top order. His first-ball dismissal of Markram and removal of de Kock gave Australia an early advantage.

Lizaad Williams — 3/54

Williams was one of South Africa’s key bowlers during the chase and finished with three wickets from 7.5 overs.

Why South Africa Won

South Africa recovered from 36/2 and 93/3 to post 365/9. Bavuma’s century supplied the stability needed in the middle overs, while Miller’s 142 provided the acceleration that pushed the total beyond 350.

Australia’s chase also started strongly, but South Africa maintained a steady flow of wickets after the Marsh-Head partnership. Williams and the rest of the attack eventually prevented Australia from sustaining the scoring rate required for a 366-run chase.

Where Australia Fell Short

Australia’s bowlers made a promising start by reducing South Africa to 36/2 and later 93/3. Edwards’ five-wicket haul was another positive, but the 156-run Bavuma-Miller partnership allowed South Africa to recover and build a much larger total.

With the bat, Marsh and Head provided Australia with the strongest phase of the chase. The problem came after their contributions, as Australia lost wickets without producing another partnership capable of sustaining the required scoring rate. Australia eventually finished 32 runs short.

Records and Milestones

David Miller’s 142 was his highest ODI score. His innings also gave him his 31st ODI fifty-plus score while batting at No. 5 or lower, moving him beyond Jonty Rhodes’ 30 such scores. His century was also his eighth in ODIs from No. 5 or lower.

Miller’s 142 was also his fourth ODI century against Australia.

Temba Bavuma’s century was his fifth ODI hundred as South Africa captain, matching the tally previously achieved by Faf du Plessis.

Jack Edwards’ 5/67 was another significant milestone, making him only the second Australian bowler to take an ODI five-wicket haul against South Africa at home.

What Happens Next?

The third and final ODI between South Africa and Australia is scheduled for September 30, 2026, at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom. South Africa now lead the three-match series 2-0 after victories in Durban and Johannesburg.

The final ODI will therefore give Australia an opportunity to finish the series with a win, while South Africa will look to complete a clean sweep.

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