2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup: South Africa vs. Sri Lanka Predictions, Odds, & Expert Tips
| Timetable | 7th October at 09:30 GMT |
| Prediction | South Africa to win |
| Odds | South Africa to Win @ 1.44 |
| Bookmaker | William Hill |
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The fourth game of the 2023 Cricket World Cup will feature two relative outsiders in the form of South Africa and Sri Lanka, who will do battle at 09:30 GMT on Saturday, 7th October at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This is a fascinating and evenly poised game, while the best cricket betting sites in Ireland have already published ante post odds across multiple markets. I’ll explore some of these below while offering my own South Africa vs Sri Lanka prediction.
💯 South Africa vs Sri Lanka Betting Odds
Even relatively new betting sites in Ireland are offering odds on the World Cup group game between South Africa and Sri Lanka. I’ll explore some of the best betting markets in more detail below.
Match Winner Odds: South Africa v Sri Lanka
I’ll start by taking a look at the latest match-winner odds, which actually highlight South Africa as the clear favourites to beat Sri Lanka in Delhi.
| Team |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 1.39 | 1.44 | 1.44 | 1.50 | 1.44 |
| Sri Lanka | 2.50 | 2.70 | 2.75 | 2.63 | 2.75 |
Top Batsman Odds: South Africa v Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s batting unit has struggled of late, with the side skittled for just 50 by India in the recent final of the Asia Cup. Conversely, South Africa have three batsmen placed in the top eight of the current Men's ODI Player Rankings, namely Rassie van der Dussen (third), Quinton de Kock (seventh) and Heinrich Klaasen (eighth).
South Africa:
| Player | | |
|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 6.00 | TBC |
| Rassie van der Dussen | 7.00 | TBC |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 10.00 | TBC |
Sri Lanka:
| Player | | |
|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 8.50 | TBC |
| Kusal Mendis | 9.00 | TBC |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | 9.00 | TBC |
Top Wicket Taker Odds: South Africa v Sri Lanka
Interestingly, neither South Africa nor Sri Lanka have a bowler featured in the top 10 of the Men's ODI Bowling Rankings, with the Proteas’ spinner Keshav Maharaj rated the highest at 14th. So, you can access some competitive odds when predicting the top wicket-taker for each side in Delhi.
South Africa:
| Player | | |
|---|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | 3.75 | TBC |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 4.00 | TBC |
| Keshav Maharaj | 5.50 | TBC |
Sri Lanka:
| Player | | |
|---|---|---|
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4.00 | TBC |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 4.33 | TBC |
| Dilshan Madushanka | 4.50 | TBC |
🔍 South Africa v Sri Lanka Match Winner Prediction
These two sides haven’t contested an ODI for more than two years, but South Africa lead the historic head-to-head record with 45 wins in 80 matches. The Proteas have also won seven of the last nine limited-overs games played since August 2018, although only one of these victories was achieved on the subcontinent (a 67-run triumph in Colombo on September 4th, 2021).
Currently, the South African side is also ranked as the fourth-best ODI team in the world, while Sri Lanka’s thrashing in the Asia Cup final has left them three places lower in seventh. This defeat also exposed a fragile batting lineup that’s devoid of confidence and explosiveness, while South Africa recorded three successive wins over Australia in September and should have too much for the Sri Lankans in Delhi.
My South Africa v Sri Lanka winner prediction: South Africa to win!
✔️ South Africa v Sri Lanka CWC Betting Tips
I’m tipping South Africa to beat Sri Lanka in their CWC opener in Delhi, but this is one of the various bets you can place on the group stage clash. So, here are some South Africa v Sri Lanka betting tips to help you navigate the best value markets successfully.
Match Winner: South Africa to Win
South Africa’s dominant performances against Australia in September saw them earn a thrilling 3-2 series win, during which several of their players hit a rich vein of form. Wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen was certainly at his destructive best in Centurion, while David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Lungi Ngidi and the rapid Kagiso Rabada all contributed significantly. Across the board, they have superior individual ability and firepower when compared to Sri Lanka, while Kwiff Sports are offering competitive odds of 1.50 on the Proteas prevailing over their rivals.
South Africa’s Top Batsman Winner: Heinrich Klaasen to Win
Heinrich Klaasen made history in SA’s 164-run thrashing of Australia in Centurion on September 15th, recording the highest-ever ODI score as a number five batsman as he smashed 174 from just 83 balls with 13 fours and a mammoth 13 sixes. His recent overall form has seen him ascend to eighth in the ODI batting rankings, while he averages 69.00 from three innings in India (during which he has struck 138 runs at a strike rate of 103.75). Currently, William Hill are offering odds of 10.00 on Klaasen top scoring for the Proteas, so consider getting on this before the prices start to drift!
Sri Lanka’s Top Batsman Winner: Dhananjaya De Silva to Win
Sri Lanka looked helpless when India bowled them out for just 50 in 15.2 overs in the Asia Cup finale, with this their lowest-ever ODI total. They also toiled in an earlier game against India, although Dhananjaya De Silva (41) and Dunith Wellalage (42*) at least showcased some lower order resistance. Da Silva is also a classy operator with 10 Test centuries to his name, while his career ODI average of 26.53 is more than respectable given his average batting position. At present, William Hill are offering odds of 17.00 on De Silva top-scoring for his country, which is tempting given Sri Lanka’s paucity of top order runs.
South Africa’s Top Wicket Taker: Keshav Maharaj to Win Top Wicket Taker
The Arun Jaitley Stadium generally produces slow and arid pitches, which should turn sharply and suit left-armers like South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj. This wily bowler also has a good ODI record against Sri Lanka, taking eight wickets in his five matches at a lowly average of just 21.12. He also has an economy rate of 3.93 against SL, while his strike rate of a wicket every 32.2 balls augers well for the Proteas WC opener. William Hill are also offering odds of 5.50 on Maharaj being the best performing South African bowler, and I think this offers genuine value.
Sri Lanka’s Top Wicket Taker: Maheesh Theekshana to Win Top Wicket Taker
In the absence of the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, off spinner Maheesh Theekshana is expected to lead Sri Lanka’s drive for wickets against South Africa. His 27 ODI’s have certainly been promising so far, as they’ve yielded 44 wickets at an average of 23.45 and an economy rate of 4.50. He also takes an ODI wicket every 31.2 balls, while he took 4/37 in his sole appearance against the Proteas on his debut to help bowl them out for 125. William Hill are offering ante-post odds of 4.00 on Theekshana to top the wicket-taking charts in his side’s opening WC game, and this is well worth a small flutter.
🎁 South Africa v Sri Lanka
The best cricket betting sites in Ireland will all offer free bets and promotions, many of which may be deployed on the match between South Africa v Sri Lanka. Before opting in to a bonus, be sure to check out the relevant T&Cs and any wagering requirements that you may have to play through.
Match Promotions
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Read our full bookmaker reviews for the best Cricket betting sites.
📰 Team News for South Africa v Sri Lanka
If you’re hoping to keep in touch with the latest news and interviews coming out of both camps, check out the South African and Sri Lankan Twitter feeds below!
South Africa News
Sri Lanka News
📺 Previous South Africa v Sri Lanka Highlights
If you’d like to whet your appetite ahead of South Africa’s opening World Cup clash against Sri Lanka, why not check out some highlights from the last ODI series between the two nations in September 2021?
⚡ South Africa v Sri Lanka Prediction Overview
Whether you look at the most recent H2H record, current form or the respective qualities of each side’s individual batsmen and bowlers, it’s hard to look beyond a South African victory in Delhi. Their most destructive batsmen (including Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller) certainly played their way into form in September’s ODI series against Australia, and while the side may have a relatively long tail, their bowling attack is varied and includes two wily spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Sri Lanka’s spinners will certainly have to hit top form if they’re to restrict SA with the bat and take regular wickets, but the enforced absence of Wanindu Hasaranga makes the team’s task even harder.
1️⃣ When is this South Africa v Sri Lanka World Cup Match?
South Africa v Sri Lanka is the fourth game of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, and it will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, 7th October. The match will commence at 09:30 GMT.
2️⃣ Who Will Win This South Africa v Sri Lanka Match?
I’m tipping South Africa to win here, as their in-form and explosive batting lineup should flourish in the absence of Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga. The Sri Lankans are also vulnerable with the bat, and SA’s pace bowlers will look to exploit this early on with the new ball.
3️⃣ Where Can I Bet on Cricket Matches?
All of the cricket betting sites referenced in this guide offer a broad range of SA v SL and World Cup wagering markets, so I’d recommend comparing each one in detail to find the best possible sportsbook for you.
4️⃣ What is the Best Cricket Bet?
In this particular ICC Cricket World Cup game, I think there’s value in backing the in-form Heinrich Klaasen to top score for the Proteas at a price of 10.00 with William Hill. You can also bet on South Africa to win the match outright at a price of 1.50 with Kwiff Sports.
5️⃣What are These Sides’ Outright Odds to Win the World Cup?
South Africa are the fifth favourites to lift the 2023 Cricket World Cup, at an average ante post price of 9.00. As for Sri Lanka, the world’s seventh-ranked ODI side are priced as high as 41.00 to win the tournament outright.
✒️Lewis Humphries - iGaming and Sports Betting Expert
Lewis is an iGaming and sports betting writer from the UK, while he retains a strong passion for various sports including cricket, football, horse racing and rugby. He has also written content and predictions in the sports betting niche for 10 years now, while he has extensive knowledge of tournaments, teams and players from across the globe. He’s an avid England cricket fan too, but you can rely on him to be impartial and objective when predicting the outcome of the Three Lions’ matches in India!
