The summer of international cricket did not get off to a particularly strong start for Australia.
Australia dominated the opening day of the first Test in Perth and were in complete control, but some poor batting and a disciplined performance from South Africa saw the game swing completely.
South Africa can secure the series with a win in the second Test in Hobart, but with plenty of rain forecast in Hobart the draw is a genuine option.
We have analysed a wide range of betting markets for this clash and you can find our recommended bets below.
Head To Head Betting
You don’t see it particularly often in Australia, but is the draw that is the clear favourite in this Test match at a quote of $1.95 from Australia at $3.50 and South Africa at $3.60.
The longer-term weather report does make very grim reading – with the Bureau Of Meteorology predicting the rain on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
It is almost important to remember that these forecasts are not fool-proof – especially this far out – and moisture in the air could improve the Bellerive pitch for the bowlers.
Australia have only ever lost one Test against New Zealand, but that took place against New Zealand in 2011 when swing bowling conditions made it very difficult for the Australian batsmen.
If the Test in Perth, the Test series in Sri Lanka and the recent Ashes series in England have taught us anything it is that the Australian top-order really struggle to cope when the ball is doing just about anything and conditions conducive to swing-bowling will definitely favour South Africa.
South Africa are a far more disciplined batting line-up and I think they are a good bet to secure the series with another Test match win.
Back South Africa To Win @ $4.33
Man Of The Match
David Warner is currently on top of our Man Of The Match betting market at a quote of $7 from Steve Smith ($9), Hashim Amla ($10), Mitchell Starc ($10), Joe Burns ($11) and Usman Khawaja ($11).
I expect this Test to be dominated by bowlers and one bowler that will definitely be favoured by the conditions will be Vernon Philander, who is great value at his current price of $13.
Josh Hazlewood bowled well without a great deal of luck at the WACA and he took eight wickets when Australia took on the West Indies at Bellerive last year.
He will lead the Australian attack and is also a touch of value at his current price of $13.
Back Vernon Philander @ $13 and Josh Hazelwood @ $13 To Be Named Man Of The Match
Top Australia 1st Innings Runscorer
David Warner ($3.75) is a narrow favourite from Steve Smith ($4.50), Joe Burns ($5) and Usman Khawaja in Australia 1st Innings Runscorer betting markets.
This is a tricky market to analyse as we don’t know what the exact make-up of the Australian top-order will be due to the hamstring injury of Adam Voges.
Usman Khawaja showed plenty of fight in the second innings at Perth and he is batting with discipline that he has never previously shown.
At $5, he is a good bet to top-score for Australia.
Back Usman Khawaja ($5) to be Australia’s Top 1st Innings Runscorer
Top South Africa 1st Innings Runscorer
Hashim Amla failed to fire at the WACA, but he is still favourite in this betting market from JP Duminy ($5.50), Faf Du Plessis ($5.50), Quinton De Kock ($6), Stephen Cook ($6.50) and Dean Elgar ($6.50).
I really liked what I saw what Dean Elgar in Perth.
He is a traditional test-match opening batsman and that could be crucial in what I expect will be tough batting conditions in Hobart.
He is not as explosive or exciting as some of his teammates, but he is great value at his current price.
Back Dean Elgar ($6.50) to be South Africa’s top batsman