Match prediction: RSA vs ENG 1st T20 - 12 Feb 2020

South Africa will take on England in the first T20 international game of the three-match series at the Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday.

It is surprising to see that the hosts are yet to win a series against England in two formats of the game and that too, at home. The T20I series is their last chance of salvaging some pride after losing the Tests and drawing the ODI series. They have had pockets of brilliance, but were not consistent and that has hurt the Proteas. However, Quinton de Kock has led from the front in the ODI series scoring the most number of runs for his side, like he did in the Test series as well. Now, can South Africa trounce England in the forthcoming T20 international series? We can only wait and watch how the games brew, but in the meantime, I have assorted three of the best team markets for you to bet on. Why don’t you take a good look at them and place your bets accordingly?

South Africa to have the last laugh

Despite a loss in the Test series, followed by a draw in the ODI series, I still will be rooting for South Africa to win against England at the Buffalo Park in East London. No, I am not out of my mind because there is a reason why I am making such a statement! Let’s get straight to business – South Africa and England have faced each other 14 times and the former has had the last laugh on eight occasions. Now, here is the best part – England have beaten the Proteas only once in five matches on South African soil, making it a safer market to bet on. England have never ever won a T20 international series in South Africa and Quinton de Kock and company will be looking to keep that record intact after this forthcoming three-match T20 series. In the last seven encounters, South Africa have emerged victorious on four occasions. The last three times England played a T20I match on South African soil, they have lost all of them against the Proteas. As you have already seen, all the aspects and the factors are working in our favour, Bet 365 is offering odds of 2.30 for the Proteas to have the last laugh at the Buffalo Park on Wednesday. With the odds stacked in favour of the home side, I have already put my money on them. What about you?

South Africa to deal in sixes

It is not like England do not have big hitters in their ranks, but it is more about South Africa’s home advantage and past six-hitting records, that has actually compelled me to go for the hosts again. This market is pretty safe when it comes to putting your money on South Africa, especially. Don’t worry at all; I will tell you the reason you are looking for – In 14 matches that these two sides have clashed, South Africa have clobbered 88 sixes and, on the other hand, England have managed to send the ball out of the park 77 times. South Africa and England have collided with each other on five occasions at the former’s home, and the hosts have clattered 43 sixes, while the visitors have only managed to hit 29 of them. On top of that, big hitters like Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma and David Miller will come into action, who are extremely dangerous in this particular format of the game. England too possess the likes of Jos Buttler, Tom Banton and Ben Stokes, but it will be interesting to see if they can outnumber the hosts in terms of hitting sixes. Bet 365 is offering odds of 2.10 and it is highly unlikely that England will have more sixes than South Africa in their tally by the end of the game.

Quinton de Kock cannot go past the 42-run mark

Are you wondering why I chose this market? You must be thinking, despite being the top run scorer in both the Test and the ODI series, why on earth would I opt for De Kock to score less than 42.5 runs at the Buffalo Park? The answer is easy my friends and you will be surprised just like me was when I first got to spot these numbers and statistics for the South African skipper. De Kock averages 30.84 in his T20 international career having scored only 1018 runs in 38 matches with only four half centuries to his name. He has played only two T20 matches against England and the Proteas captain averages 40.50 in those matches. One might want to believe that De Kock’s average is pretty good when he gets to play at home, but actually, sorry to break your heart, it is not. The southpaw averages only 32.72 while playing at home and has only one fifty in 14 matches. That is not a record that the South African fans will want to look at ahead of the first T20I match of the series against England. So, I gave you a few scenarios and all of them work in your favour, so why are you still waiting? Bet 365 is offering odds of 1.83 for De Kock to score under 42.5 runs against England in the first T20. Go bet!