South Africa defeated Australia by 84 runs in the second ODI on Friday to gain an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

Australia are 155/6 (Target 297) vs South Africa after 30-overs in the first of the three match ODI series at the Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday.

Lungi Ngidi's second ODI five-wicket haul, ably supported by half-centuries from Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs, meant that South Africa sealed the 2-0 ODI series victory over Australia, with a game in hand in Mackay.

Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten half-century led Australia to a sensational two-wicket win over South Africa in the final T20 and clinched the series 2-1.

It was Australia’s first win in Johannesburg for 62 years and Rassie Erasmus admitted he was embarrassed to appear at the post-match press conference. His South Africa side had led 22-0 only to then concede six unanswered tries in an extraordinary collapse. “We were really awful, and they were very good, but we made them better,” Erasmus said.

The second ODI between Australia and South Africa is in progress at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. After losing the toss, Australia restricted the visitors to 277 runs as Cameron Green had a great day on the field,

Fraser McReight will captain Australia as they seek a second successive win against South Africa at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Australia coach Joe Schmidt is banking on his side making a faster start to the second Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday, and not having to dig quite as deep as last weekend’s heroic win at Ellis Park.