South Africa v Australia 1st ODI preview — Kingsmead, September 24, 2026
South Africa face Australia in the first match of the South Africa vs Australia ODI Series 2026 at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with the game scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST. Khel Now has published Dream11 playing XI suggestions and fantasy tips ahead of the three-match ODI phase.
The tour comprises three ODIs followed by three Tests and is the first time since 2017-18 that Australia are touring South Africa for a Test series, a tour that previously featured the sandpaper incident. The series carries significance for both sides, and Australia have an opportunity to end a run without an ODI bilateral series win in South Africa since 2011-12. Historically the teams have met in 113 ODIs: South Africa 57 wins, Australia 50 wins, three abandoned matches and one tied game.
South Africa will be without four frontline pacers—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka—which the preview describes as a significant blow and notes will leave the hosts with an inexperienced pace attack. The article states that this bowling absence will give a little edge to Australia.
Apart from those four pacers, South Africa will also miss Aiden Markram in the first ODI, a further concern listed in the preview.
The forecast for Durban on Thursday is partly cloudy with a maximum temperature of 24°C and expected humidity around 78 percent. Kingsmead is described as offering a bouncy deck with extra bounce and consistent pace for bowlers; the new ball is expected to be most effective in the first 8-10 overs, after which the wicket is predicted to flatten and become easier to bat on, and traditionally to be a good surface for chasing.
Probable XIs provided in the preview are: South Africa — Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin. Australia — Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa.
Dream11 and fantasy recommendations in the preview list suggested players and captain/vice-captain options. Suggested players include batters David Miller, Travis Head and Temba Bavuma; all-rounders Cooper Connolly, Marco Jansen, Matt Renshaw and Corbin Bosch; and bowlers Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood. Captain First-Choice: Quinton de Kock || Captain Second-Choice: Corbin Bosch. Vice-Captain First-Choice: Matt Renshaw || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Josh Hazlewood. An alternative set in the preview lists Batters: David Miller, Travis Head, Temba Bavuma; All-rounders: Cooper Connolly, Marco Jansen, Matt Renshaw, Corbin Bosch; Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood; Captain First-Choice: Marco Jansen || Captain Second-Choice: Travis Head; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Cooper Connolly || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Temba Bavuma.
The preview concludes by backing Australia, stating they are likely to field their best possible playing XI, and reiterates that the first SA vs AUS ODI takes place on September 24, 2026 at Kingsmead in Durban.