South Africa will aim to complete a series sweep when they welcome Australia at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, on September 30th.
Exceptional spin display, measured yet eye-catching batting in the middle and the backend, and Temba Bavuma's tactics on the field have meant that the Proteas have blown Australia away in the first two onedayers.
In fact, South Africa have been victorious in each of their last six ODI series against the Aussies, and you'd have to go back to the home summer of 2014-15 Down Under for Australia's previous triumph.
And all of that, without Aiden Markram in the first match, as well as without frontline seamers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. A sign of things for South Africa as the 50-over World Cup looms in just over a year.
Pat Cummins' side have been without their skipper in the first two fixtures; he could be in line for a return to amp up the preparation for the highly-anticipated Test series that is to follow.
It's the similar red flags that may have left the Australian captain scratching his head on the sidelines, though, as struggles against left-arm spin, losing wickets in clusters in the middle overs and not taking as many with the ball either, has meant that they have failed the litmus test, repeatedly.
Team News
Rabada was recently named in the 18-man Test squads that is blooded with pacers, but this match comes too soon for the South African ace.
With the series sealed and the red-ball stuff coming up, Nqobani Mokoena is in line to start. Marco Jansen could, therefore, be rested.
So could Temba Bavuma, with Keshav Maharaj - with six wickets in the series already - set to deputise.
South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams, Nqobani Mokoena, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs.
Problems are mounting for the Aussies, as Nathan Ellis could miss out owing to a side strain sustained in the previous outing. Oliver Peake could come in for Cameron Green, who hasn't bowled in the series and produced meager returns with the bat.
Josh Inglis is sidelined as well. Mitchell Starc played the series curtain-raiser and missed the 2nd ODI, so should slot back into the line-up.
Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
Toss-heavy fixture on the cards
The weather forecast in Potchefstroom has heavy rain and thunderstorms on the cards, so bowling first would be an absolute given.
What do South Africa need to achieve for a near-perfect series? Well, not much, but the openers need to start firing. The all-destructive Quinton de Kock has managed just 14 and 15 so far, while Markram was dismissed for a first-baller by Josh Hazlewood courtesy of a blinder from Cooper Connolly at extra cover. Tony de Zorzi's movement across, widening of the stance and then chasing after a tempter in the first match raised a few eyebrows too.
De Kock enjoyed batting at this venue when the two sides last met in 2023. The southpaw smashed 82 off 77 as South Africa piled on 338-6 in 50 overs and won by 111 runs. Markram came to the party with a 74-ball unbeaten century on the day as well.
Also read: Miller, Bavuma smash tons as South Africa beat Australia to clinch series
They'll be up against Starc, and possibly Cummins, making for a tantalising contest, especially if conditions change with heavy rain on Tuesday.
The latter has played just two ODIs since the 2023 World Cup final, calling for much-needed time in the middle.
Match Prediction
The Proteas have thoroughly outplayed their visitors this series. Their spin bowling has brutally outmuscled that of their counterparts, and if Adam Zampa doesn't rise to the occasion, it could be more sorrow for Australia, who have bled runs at the death.
It could well come down to the coin flip and DLS method, but from the sample size so far, the hosts look far more prepared to sweep the three-match series.
