A collective bowling effort, complemented by half-centuries from Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen, powered South Africa to a dominant seven-wicket victory over England in the final Group B match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 180 runs, the Proteas comfortably reached the finish line, losing only three wickets with 125 balls to spare.
However, their chase began on a shaky note as Jofra Archer struck early, removing openers Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton during the powerplay, leaving South Africa at 47 for two.
Rickelton struck five boundaries in his 25-ball knock of 27, while Stubbs was dismissed for a five-ball duck.
After the early setbacks, Klaasen and van der Dussen steadied South Africa’s innings with a crucial 127-run stand, bringing the team to the brink of victory. Klaasen departed when just six runs were needed, having played a brisk 64-run knock off 56 balls, which included 11 fours.
Meanwhile, Rassie van der Dussen anchored the chase, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 87 deliveries, featuring six fours and three sixes, as he guided South Africa to a comfortable win.
For England, Jofra Archer claimed two wickets, while Adil Rashid picked up one.
South Africa only needed to avoid losing the match by 207 runs to secure a semi-final spot in the eight-team tournament. However, a disciplined bowling display left Afghanistan with no chance of surpassing them on net run rate.
As a result, South Africa and Australia advanced to the Final Four from Group B.
England captain Jos Buttler’s decision to bat first backfired, as his side was bundled out for a modest 179 in 38.2 overs.
Already eliminated from the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final race, the former World Cup winners got off to a disastrous start, with Marco Jansen dismantling their top order, reducing them to 37/3 in just 6.4 overs.
Amid the early collapse, in-form veteran Joe Root teamed up with Harry Brook to stage a recovery. The duo cautiously added 62 runs for the fourth wicket before Brook fell to Keshav Maharaj in the 17th over, managing 19 off 29 balls with three boundaries.
England’s troubles deepened when Root, their set batter, was bowled by Wiaan Mulder in the following over. Root top-scored for his team with a gritty 37 off 44 balls, including four fours and a six.
Batting at number six, Buttler attempted to hold the innings together, but England suffered two more quick setbacks, slipping to 129/7 in 25.3 overs.
Buttler then found brief support from Jofra Archer, and the pair added a crucial 42 runs before both fell in quick succession.
Archer contributed 25 off 31 balls, while Buttler managed 21 off 43 deliveries.
For South Africa, Jansen and Mulder claimed three wickets each, while Maharaj took two. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi chipped in with a wicket apiece.
