Netherlands v South Africa World Cup Tips: Dutch eye another scare

• Dutch may get foothold

• South Africa eye big score

• Markram has form

Netherlands v South Africa
Tuesday 16 October, 09:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Netherlands v South Africa World Cup team news

Netherlands have lost two from two but they have had competitive moments, most noticeably against Pakistan. Last time out they conceded 322 against the Kiwis despite three maidens in the first three overs. The chase was never really on but Colin Ackermann and Teja Nidamanuru had a solid partnership. They could do with Logan van Beek returning with the ball.

Possible XI: O'Dowd, Singh, Ackermann, de Leede, Nidamanuru, Edwards, Engelbrecht, van der Merwe, Klein, Dutt, van Meekeren

South Africa look serious contenders after their bowling unit turned up against Australia. Newly-found expertise in the field to keep things tight is most welcome and will give a huge boost to a top six which is already the most dangerous in the tournament. There's a small chance they fiddle with their order to get crease time for the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.

Possible XI: De Kock, Bavuma, van der Dussen, Markram, Klaasen, Miller, Jansen, Rabada, Maharaj, Ngidi, Shamsi

Netherlands v South Africa World Cup pitch report

England's 364 against Bangladesh is perhaps more instructive of the surface than Afghanistan's 156 against the same opposition. If South Africa bat first they will look for something similar and at altitude their big shots will fly. Their par line may be in the mid 350s.

Netherlands v South Africa World Cup match odds

If you're thinking this is exactly the sort of match that the old South Africa would lose, you'd be right. Don't forget last year's T20 when they looked strong only to make a horrible mess of things in defeat by the Dutch.

With the Netherlands as big as 15.014/1 there is room for a trade. Either their reliably tight bowling or the opportunity to bat first and bat well on a flat one could chop that in half.

South Africa beat Netherlands in a two-game series by 146 runs and eight wickets in March. Those efforts may mean margin of victory has some appeal.

Netherlands v South Africa World Cup player bets

Stick with win-rate wagers Scott Edwards at 4/15.00 (30% returns last two years ) and Klaasen (25%). Admittedly the latter requires some flex from that Dutch attack up front so it may be wise to wait for Klaasen's price to drift to around 11/112.00. Aiden Markram, with big runs in the two head-to-heads, is win rate value also at 11/26.50.