Australia made a winning start in South Africa by winning by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead and have an opportunity to clinch a series victory by repeating that feat at St George's Park, Gqeberha, starting on Sunday.
Left-hander Matt Renshaw led the way with the bat for the Baggy Green in Durban with knocks of 190 and 82, before veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood finished the job off with figures of 6-49 in the second innings to take his match tally to eight.
The Proteas have responded by drafting in ODI star Matthew Breetzke in place of Tristan Stubbs, while Kyle Verreynne is set to miss out with Ryan Rickelton confirmed to keep wicket and star paceman Kagiso Rabada is fit to feature.
Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green is unlikely to have recovered from an abdominal strain in time to feature, having also sat out the victory at Kingsmead.
South Africa v Australia Tips Summary
Best Bet - Pat Cummins top match bowler @ 4.50
Alternative Bet - Nic Maddinson over 53.5 runs @ 1.83
Bet Builder - Matt Renshaw 70+ runs, Kagiso Rabada 5+ wickets & Most sixes - Australia @ 6.75
South Africa v Australia Prediction
Best Bet: Pat Cummins top match bowler @ 4.50
Skipper Pat Cummins showed just how important he is to the Aussie cause by scoring 43 and 32 not out and taking four wickets in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban and he can shine again in Gqeberha.
Cummins has taken 52 wickets at a fine average of 18.59 in ten Tests played against the Proteas, with 33 of those wickets claimed in South Africa in six Tests.
He won't have minded one bit being outshone by Hazlewood in the first Test, but will be determined to play a leading role as the Baggy Green go in search of a first Test series victory in South Africa since 2014.
Alternative Bet: Nic Maddinson over 53.5 runs @ 1.83
The selection of left-hander Nic Maddinson for this series raised more than a few eyebrows and the questions grew in number after a 33-ball duck in the first innings at Kingsmead.
However, Maddinson responded well in his second knock as he made 48 from just 38 balls faced, dominating an opening partnership of 43 with Travis Head, who made 11.
The 34-year-old made scores of 0, 1, 4 and 22 when he played two Tests a decade ago, but his second-innings effort in Durban should give him the confidence to pass the 53.5-run mark at St George's Park.
South Africa v Australia Bet Builder Tip
Matt Renshaw 70+ runs
Kagiso Rabada 5+ wickets
Most sixes - Australia
Pays 6.75
Renshaw was the star of the show in the first Test, making 190 and 82 after reaching double figures just once in his 10 previous Test innings and he can impress again in Gqeberha, with a 70-run match return well within his capabilities.
The return of pace spearhead Rabada will undoubtedly give the hosts a major boost, even if their star fast bowler may need to be managed carefully.
He has taken 58 wickets in 11 previous Test outings against Australia, while he is just two short of bringing up 200 Test wickets in his homeland and Rabada will be desperate to make his mark after an injury absence.
Finally, Australia have the firepower to win the sixes battle, having hit 12 to South Africa's 4 in the first Test of the series.
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Key Match Stats
South Africa hold a 4-3 record against Australia in seven previous Test meetings in Gqeberha
Kagiso Rabada took 11-150 when the Proteas beat the Baggy Green by six wickets in March 2018
Matthew Breetzke averages 63.20 in five ODIs played against Australia
Australia have lost by 231 runs and six wickets in their last two Tests at St George's Park
Josh Hazlewood has taken 44 wickets at 24.79 in 10 Tests played against South Africa
Matt Renshaw had reached double figures once in 10 Test innings before making 190 and 82 in Durban
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
