South Africa (SA) will face England (ENG) in Match 11 of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday, March 1.
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South Africa vs England: Preview
Well, this is a bit awkward. Previewing matches near the business end of a tournament can be challenging, and this is certainly one of those moments. What could have been a thrilling quarter-final clash has turned into little more than a dead rubber as Group B concludes with a showdown between two heavyweights.
England are already out of the semi-final race and will soon embark on a period of reflection over their disappointing ODI performances, starting with Jos Buttler’s expected decision to step down as captain. Meanwhile, South Africa are virtually assured of a semi-final spot—only an extraordinarily heavy defeat could see Afghanistan overtake them following Friday’s washout. This marks their third consecutive knockout appearance in an ICC event, reinforcing white-ball coach Rob Walter’s belief that when at full strength, they can compete with the best.
Some might argue that England hardly deserve the heavyweight tag at this point, yet they remain the highest-ranked team South Africa will face in the tournament so far, especially after their clash with Australia was washed out. South Africa’s only completed match came a week ago against Afghanistan, whom they comfortably defeated in Karachi—the same venue for this encounter. Meanwhile, England suffered yet another setback, losing to Afghanistan for the second consecutive time in a major ODI tournament. They will now question whether the gap between them and South Africa is as wide as their respective results against Afghanistan suggest.
The evidence from the last World Cup certainly supports that notion, as South Africa demolished England by 229 runs in Mumbai. Prior to that, the Proteas secured a 2-1 ODI series win over England in early 2023—a series played amid the inaugural SA20 league—which ultimately ensured their qualification for the World Cup. In hindsight, that series marked a turning point for both teams: South Africa embarked on a steady rebuild with largely positive results, while England, despite ODI series wins over Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Ireland in 2023, have since lost four consecutive bilateral series and continue to struggle on the big stage.
England will be eager to make their presence felt before bowing out. With an attack featuring Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Liam Livingstone, they pose a challenge for South Africa, who will look to counter by refining their batting approach ahead of a likely semi-final clash.
What we do know for certain is that England are out of contention after defeats to Australia on Saturday and Afghanistan on Wednesday, both in Lahore—despite Jos Buttler’s squad boasting some of the best white-ball players in the game.
Unsurprisingly, this has sparked widespread soul-searching and a wave of calls for change. And when it comes to self-reflection and urgent demands for action, few do it as earnestly as the English. A step has already been taken in that direction: Buttler confirmed in his Friday press conference that Saturday’s match would be his last as England’s white-ball captain.
But enough about them. South Africa produced a commanding display to defeat Afghanistan in Karachi last Friday, with Ryan Rickelton’s 103 and half-centuries from Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram propelling them to 315/6. Kagiso Rabada then delivered a superb spell, taking 3/36—the best bowling figures in Karachi so far in the tournament—to help dismiss Afghanistan for 208 in 43.3 overs. It was, in clinical terms, a dominant performance.
As convincing as South Africa were, their cricket-savvy fans weren’t about to get ahead of themselves and declare their team favorites to win the trophy—especially given their history of falling short in ICC events since 1998. They’ve seen this script play out too many times before.
Instead, they looked to Tuesday’s match against Australia in Rawalpindi as a true test of Temba Bavuma’s squad and their credentials to go where no South African team has in nearly 27 years.
For South Africa, Australia has always been the ultimate benchmark for assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Beat them, and the dream stays alive. Lose, and it fades. It’s a simplistic equation, but one that holds true. However, with Tuesday’s match washed out, that question remains unanswered—at least until South Africa face either Australia or India in the knockouts.
Meanwhile, India have drawn scrutiny for being allowed to base themselves in Dubai for security and political reasons throughout the tournament, a luxury not extended to the other seven teams, who have had to travel extensively. Pat Cummins, Aaqib Javed, and Rassie van der Dussen have all commented on the potential advantage this gives India. However, Rob Walter wasn’t interested in adding to the debate when asked about it in his Friday press conference.
Walter responded with a question of his own: “Is that a serious question? If we spend our energy worrying about a disadvantage, we spend less energy focusing on ourselves and what we need to do. The scheduling is the scheduling.”
“India have stayed in Dubai at the same venue, while other teams have had to travel. Whether that turns out to be an advantage or not remains to be seen.”
“We have to focus on ourselves, on how we approach our next challenge, which is England, and then whatever comes after that.”
It’s the right mindset—stay focused on your own path and worry about India only if and when the time comes.
South Africa vs England: Head-to-head
- Total Matches Played: 70
- Wins by South Africa: 34
- Wins by England: 30
- Tied Matches: 1
- No Result Matches: 5
- First-Ever Fixture: March 12, 1992
- Most Recent Fixture: October 21, 2023
South Africa vs England: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The key takeaway, given recent events, is that Karachi is expected to have clear weather, ensuring ideal playing conditions. The venue has favored batters, with both previous matches in this tournament seeing first-innings totals surpass 300, leading to comfortable victories. South Africa took full advantage, posting 315/6 against Afghanistan, though they believed they could have pushed for more, having gained valuable experience in similar conditions during a recent tri-series.
England, meanwhile, have been part of two high-scoring encounters but fell short on both occasions, leaving them questioning what constitutes a safe total. In their final outing, they will be eager to reinforce that their aggressive batting strategy is not just entertaining but also effective. The conditions are expected to be hot and dry, with a pitch that is flat—though not as lifeless as Lahore’s.
South Africa vs England: Recent Form
South Africa: WLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
England: LLLLL
South Africa vs England: Team News and Predicted XI
South Africa – Team News
Heinrich Klaasen, who missed the tournament’s opening matches due to an elbow injury, is now fit and ready for selection. His return is expected to strengthen South Africa’s middle order, likely at the expense of Tony de Zorzi. Coach Rob Walter confirmed Klaasen’s availability after he sat out the Afghanistan clash.
If Klaasen slots in, South Africa will need to adjust their top order, with Ryan Rickelton set to continue as Temba Bavuma’s opening partner and Rassie van der Dussen at No. 3. Meanwhile, the bowling unit is expected to remain unchanged, meaning only one specialist spinner is likely to feature.
South Africa – Predicted XI
- Temba Bavuma (capt)
- Ryan Rickelton
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
England – Team News
England’s injury concerns persist, with Mark Wood scheduled to consult a specialist in the UK next week after sustaining a left knee issue against Afghanistan.
If he is unavailable, Saqib Mahmood is likely to step in for what would be his 13th ODI appearance. Additionally, this match marks Jos Buttler’s final outing as England’s white-ball captain.
South Africa vs England: Players To Watch Out For
Wiaan Mulder (South Africa)
Wiaan Mulder has transitioned from a squad player to an essential component of South Africa’s setup, complementing fellow seam-bowling allrounder Marco Jansen. Unlike Jansen, whose left-arm pace, steep bounce, and raw speed make him a key attacking weapon, Mulder focuses on seam movement and subtle swing.
His dedication to improving both his consistency and batting has provided South Africa with the advantage of a reliable fourth seamer and added depth to their lineup. His brief but impactful knock of 12 off six balls against Afghanistan, along with his disciplined spell of 2 for 36 in nine overs, highlighted his growing importance to the team.
Joe Root (England)
Joe Root, who once topped the run-scoring charts in the SA20 before finishing eighth, became a fan favorite in South Africa, particularly among Paarl Royals supporters, who take pride in his current form. Sitting third in this year’s Champions Trophy batting rankings, he has already notched up a fifty and a century—the latter being his first in 40 ODIs since 2019.
However, Root will be eager to convert his runs into a match-winning contribution. Having faced South Africa’s attack extensively, he knows their strengths as well as they know his, making this a prime chance to assert his dominance, especially with England’s lineup on the verge of changes.
South Africa vs England: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: South Africa win the toss and opt to bat first
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- South Africa Total: 300-310
- Match Result: South Africa win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: England win the toss and opt to bat first
- Powerplay Score: 55-65
- England Total: 290-300
- Match Result: South Africa win the match
When and Where To Watch South Africa vs England LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Group B encounter between South Africa and England is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, at the National Stadium, Karachi in Pakistan. The match will commence at 2:30 PM IST, with the toss set for 2:00 PM. Fans can watch the live broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
Read More: Champions Trophy 2025: Australia Secure Semi-final Berth As Rain Halts Head’s Fireworks
FAQs
Why is England out of the tournament?
England was eliminated after suffering defeats against Australia and Afghanistan in Lahore, despite having a squad filled with top white-ball cricketers.
What is the latest update on Heinrich Klaasen’s injury?
Heinrich Klaasen, who missed the Afghanistan match due to an elbow injury, has been declared fit and is available for selection, likely replacing Tony de Zorzi in the lineup.
Who could replace Mark Wood in England’s playing XI?
Mark Wood is doubtful due to a knee injury and is set to see a specialist. If unfit, Saqib Mahmood is expected to take his place in the team.
How has Wiaan Mulder’s role evolved in South Africa’s squad?
Mulder has transitioned from a fringe player to a key asset, complementing Marco Jansen with his seam movement and swing, while also strengthening South Africa’s batting depth.
What makes Joe Root a key player in this match?
Root, currently third in the Champions Trophy run charts, has been in fine form, scoring a fifty and a century. Familiar with South Africa’s bowlers, he will look to anchor England’s innings in his final match under Jos Buttler’s captaincy.
