Australia saved its best for last. After losing the first two ODIs of the series and starting at the possibility of a clean sweep, Mitchell Marsh's men produced a clinical all-round performance in Mackay on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The hosts piled up a mammoth 431/2 on the back of three stunning centuries and then bundled South Africa out for just 155, sealing a commanding 276-run victory, their biggest ever against Proteas in ODI cricket.
Head, Marsh and Green Power Australia with the Bat
The Stage was set at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, and Australia's opening grabbed it with both hands. Travis Head led the charge with the breathtaking 142 off 103 balls mixing clean strokes with sheer aggression . His ability to pierce the gaps square of the wicket kept South Africa on the defensive right from the start.
Mitchell Marsh, captaining the side, played a contrasting yet equally vital knock. His 100 from 106 balls was built on power and composure and anchoring the innings while Head attacked from the other end. Together the duo stitched a 250 run partnership, Australia's highest ever opening against South Africa in ODIs, surpassing the legendary Haydren Gilchrist effort from 2002 . If that was not enough, Cameron Green added the finishing touches with a blazing unbeaten 118 from just 55 balls. Green's ability to accelerate in the death overs ensured Australia crossed the 430-run mark, a total that looked out of reach even on a good Mackay surface. For South Africa the blowers looked toothless, unable to find answers against the relentless hitting.
Connolly’s Five-Wicket Haul Sparks Win
Chasing 432 was always going to be improbable, but South Africa's response was disappointing nonetheless. Openers struggled to get going, and once wickets began to tumble, there was no recovery. The highlight of Australia's bowling came from 22-year-old left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly, who ripped through the middle order with figures of 5/22. His variations and flight delivered batters like Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj the match into a one-sided affair. Adam Zamapa chipped in with a wicket to finish things off, with Nathan Ellis and Marsh also kept the pressure intact. The fielding too was sharp with Marcus Labuschagne's superb boundary catch to dismiss Bosch, reflecting Australia's intensity on the day.
South Africa's Batting Collapse
For South Africa, this was a forgettable outing after chasing well in the first two games. Their batters crumbled under the scoreboard pressure. Tony de Zorzi's 33 off 30 balls and Dewald Brevis's 49 were the only sparks in an otherwise team effort. The team was bundled out in just 24.5 overs, a collapse that underlined the gap between their consistency and Australia's best level.
The absence of senior runs from Temba Bavuma and Adien Markram was telling. Youngsters like Kwena Maphaka, though promising with the ball earlier in the series, looked out of depth against Australia's batting firepower and were left exposed when batting under pressure.
Significance of the Win for Australia
Though the series was already lost, this thumping gives Australia much-needed momentum heading into a packed international calendar. Travis Head's return to form is crucial, Mitchell Marsh continues to grow into his leadership role, and Cameron Green has further cemented his place among future stars. Perhaps the biggest takeaway, however, was Cooper Connolly's emergency. Australia has found a spin option who performed in crunch games.
The victory ended a string of disappointing results in ODIs for Australia, remains fans and critics alike believe that the team remains a force in world cricket when firing collectively.
Key Lessons for South Africa from the Defeat
South Africa dominated the first two ODIs but collapsed badly in Mackay, exposing their inconsistency. The bowling lacked bite without Lungi Ngidi, and the batting folded under pressure, a recurring ICC problem. Still, the series gave positives with Matthew Breetzle and Tristan Stubbs showing promise for the future. Depth resilience remains an urgent need before the ODI World Cup.
Australia ended the series with a powerful statement in Mackay. Travis Head's blazing start and Cooper Connolly's five-wicket haul showcased complete dominance. Though they lost the series 2-1, they reminded South Africa that true greatness comes from consistency, not just isolated victories.