RSA vs AFG Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Sep 29, 2023
South Africa and Afghanistan will play a warm-up fixture ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The Proteas and Afghans currently occupy fourth and ninth position, respectively, in the International Cricket Council's ODI team rankings.
This match should afford the South Africans plenty of preparation ahead their opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Afghanistan, meanwhile, are preparing for their first fixture of the tournament against Bangladesh. Let's see what the cricket odds and betting markets have instore.
South Africa vs Afghanistan head-to-head record
The Proteas and Afghanistan have only met once in ODI cricket. That was in 2019, when South Africa won comfortably. They have played each other twice in T20I cricket. South Africa won those, too. This will be the first time South Africa and Afghanistan meet in international cricket in four years.
South Africa vs Afghanistan live streaming and broadcast
All Cricket World Cup matches, including the warm-up fixtures, will be available to watch on the Star Sports Network and its streaming app, Disney+ Hotstar, in India. The tournament will also be broadcast on free-to-air channels by Doordarshan.
RSA vs AFG Team Previews
South Africa
South Africa will go into this match on the back of an ODI series victory over Australia. They were two-nil down in that five-match affair, but hit back to win three-two. That's a tremendous, timely boost in confidence for a country that has traditionally underperformed at World Cups.
The Proteas do not have fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala. Both withdrew from the squad due to injury shortly before the trip to India. All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and seamer Lizaad Williams have been selected as replacements. They could get an early feel for sub-continental conditions in this match.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock will retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup. This is a final opportunity to show what a significant asset he is at the top of the order for South Africa in the intermediate form of the international game. De Kock has plenty of experience in India after several stints in the Indian Premier League. His role will be especially important in the absence of fellow opener Temba Bavuma, who will miss South Africa's World Cup matches.
Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will be a key combination. Maharaj generally turns the ball away from right-handers and Shamsi toward. Maharaj recently returned from a lengthy period on the sidelines due to injury. He might be a bit rusty. Shamsi could capitalise with some extra bounce, if not additional turn.
South Africa Playing 11
Playing 11 not yet available.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan might be considered among the minnows at this World Cup, but are more than capable of downsizing big opposition on their day. They have, after all, qualified for the tournament ahead of West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and others. They will want to make their opportunity count.
Their most recent results in ODI cricket were a couple of defeats at the 2023 Asia Cup - and a series whitewash to Pakistan. Momentum is lacking and that does not bode well for their World Cup campaign. However, victory - or at least a strong performance - against the Proteas here could inspire better for the near future.
Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has returned to Afghanistan's ODI fold. He, too, will retire from this format of international cricket after the World Cup. Conditions in Thiruvananthapuram - and elsewhere in India - could suit his extra pace and carry. He can extract bounce from sluggish pitches.
All-rounders Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan should be instrumental for Afghanistan in this match - and their World Cup campaign overall. Khan is one of the best leg-spinners in world cricket, while Omarzai's talent with bat and ball largely adds balance to the first-choice XI.
Afghanistan Playing 11
Playing 11 not yet available.
RSA vs AFG Toss Prediction
Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram has never hosted international cricket, but is an appropriate venue for this and other warm-up fixtures. It's likely the captain to win the toss will opt to bat first.
The choice won't necessarily be because of conditions, but simply to afford the batters and early feel for Indian pitches - and the bowlers a chance to bowl on wearing wickets later.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
Some pitches in India tend to break up as the contest goes on - and this might be the case in Thiruvananthapuram as well. Spin will come into play more and more - and it'll be interesting to see if either team opt to open the bowling with a spinner in the first or second innings.
Both teams will likely experiment with selection and personnel combinations in this match. Regardless, they will want to put up competitive totals. Tallies in excess of 350 are par for the course in ODI cricket of late - and this is the expectation here, too.
RSA vs AFG Betting Tips
South Africa should have no trouble in beating Afghanistan here. Despite the absence of Magala, Nortje and Bavuma, they have the depth that Afghanistan don't. Importantly, the Proteas can time and temper 50 overs of cricket far more formidably than Afghanistan, who have been brought up on T20 competition.
Bet on the Proteas to win this Cricket World Cup warm-up fixture as 1.48 favourites. Afghanistan are priced as 3.50 underdogs. Betting on Afghanistan to win this match could bring good value.
Bonus Cricket Bets
Afghanistan's bowlers are arguably more comfortable in sub-continental conditions than South Africa. With Naveen, Rashid and Omarzai among their resources, Afghanistan are in the strongest position to have the top bowler in this match, regardless of whether they win or lose.
De Kock averages 44.75 in ODI cricket. He effectively only needs to score two thirds of that to make this a winning bet. His last five scores in ODI cricket have been 27, 45, 82, 45 and 11.
The Proteas XI will be lined with several big-hitters, including de Kock, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen. They could capitalise on shorter square boundaries in particular.
Who will win RSA vs AFG
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.