SA vs ENG: In a one-sided contest in the 11th match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa overpowered England, winning a comprehensive 7-wicket game. Not only did this victory confirm South Africa’s qualification to the semi-finals but also meant that they topped Group B with a better net run rate. England’s tournament run, however, ended on a sour note, having won no match during the group stages.
England’s Batting Collapse Disaster In SA vs ENG
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Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, England put themselves on the back foot from the beginning. Their batting folded under pressure, and they were only able to achieve a score of 179 runs in their allotted overs. England’s hapless batting with the bat was underlined by a string of reckless dismissals and failure to establish significant partnerships.
The slide started early as opener Phil Salt was sent back for a paltry 8 runs, caught off a short ball from South Africa’s Marco Jansen. Jamie Smith could not cope with a short ball in the following over and was sent back for a duck. Ben Duckett (24) threatened briefly, scoring some boundaries, but was caught off his top edge, again by Jansen. England was in serious trouble by the seventh over, at 37 for 3.
This is where the team of Joe Root and Harry Brook came in with a diligent 62-run partnership to repair the damage. Even if the first few balls made them a bit nervous, they were able to stabilize the ship for a while.
But ultimately Brook (19) tried to up the ante. He went outside the off-stump to cut the spinner, Maharaj and was caught in the deep by Jayden Jansen, running very fast and hanging in the air on the way down. Root (37) didn’t last much longer, being bowled by Wiaan Mulder, and kept England in big trouble at 99 for 5.
South Africa’s Bowler Domination In Champions Trophy 2025
South Africa’s bowling attack, spearheaded by the unstoppable Marco Jansen, was in relentless form right from the beginning. Jansen’s performance with the new ball, where he took 3 wickets for 39 runs, put the tone for the remainder of the innings. Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj followed suit in the middle overs, with Mulder ending with 3 wickets for 25 runs and Maharaj taking 2 wickets for 35 runs.
England’s trouble was compounded by the fall of Liam Livingstone (9) and Jamie Overton (11) cheaply, reducing them to 129 for 7 in the 26th over. Captain Jos Buttler (21) and Jofra Archer (25) attempted some resistance, bringing about 42 runs for the eighth wicket. But Mulder got the better of Archer, and Buttler’s timely fall to a slower ball bowled by Lungi Ngidi settled England’s fate. England was finally bowled out for a meager 179, while South Africa coasted to the target.
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South Africa’s Dominant Chase in SA vs ENG Champions Trophy 2025
Chasing 180, South Africa’s batting line-up found only minimal resistance from England’s bowlers, who struggled to make any significant inroads into the target required. After losing an early wicket for 11 runs on the board, South Africa had their moment of panic. Fortunately, it was over quickly as Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen took over the charge, paving a way out of there for the duo to build on.
Klaasen was calm in his innings and scored 64 runs from 56 balls. Van der Dussen was more deliberate in chasing, mustering 72 runs from 87 balls. They took charge of the match with their confident rise and pushed South Africa towards their target. Unfortunately, Klaasen fell just short of the completion, but by this time, South Africa was sailing on towards victory.
Contributions of a useful 27 were made by Ryan Rickelton, while Tristan Stubbs could not manage his first-ever run in the Champions Trophy, but the chase never was – in fact – too much under control.
England’s Fateful Tournament Exit
England’s performance in this game was a proper conclusion to a disappointing tournament. With the loss, they completed the tournament without a single victory, finishing at the bottom of Group B. England’s batting, which was supposed to be one of their strong points, failed throughout the tournament, and their failure to build partnerships proved costly.
Conversely, South Africa exemplified their well-rounded prowess, with clinical displays from their bowlers and unhurried and calculated batting. With the win, South Africa not only cemented their qualification for the semi-finals but also topped the group, positioning themselves for a great run in the knockout phase.
South Africa’s Semi-Final Spot Secured
With this thumping win, South Africa reached the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Their complete performance, topped by brilliant bowling and consistent batting, saw them top Group B. The loss left England with nothing to boast of their attempts, as they became the only team in the tournament to go without a victory.
As the tournament enters the knockout phase, South Africa will seek to take this momentum forward and test the best teams for a final spot. For England, it is back to the drawing board, however, with many questions to be answered after a disastrous campaign.
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