England and South Africa face off in their last group-stage match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium, Karachi, on March 1. England is already out of the tournament, while South Africa is on the verge of securing a semi-final spot, unless they suffer a heavy defeat.
- England won the toss and chose to bat first.
- Temba Bavuma is absent, and Aiden Markram leads South Africa.
- England makes one change, replacing Mark Wood with Saqib Mahmood.
- South Africa makes two changes, with Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs replacing Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi.
England Wins Toss, Chooses to Bat First
Jos Buttler, England’s captain, decided to bat first, believing the pitch offers a good batting surface. He mentioned the importance of clarity in leadership and stated this would be his final match as captain.
South African captain Aiden Markram was comfortable chasing the target, as South Africa hasn’t batted second in this tournament yet. He also confirmed that Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi are missing due to illness.
Confirmed Playing XIs
England’s Playing XI
- Ben Duckett
- Philip Salt
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jos Buttler (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jamie Overton
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Saqib Mahmood
South Africa’s Playing XI
- Tristan Stubbs
- Ryan Rickelton (wk)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram (c)
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
Match Context and Expectations
England is playing for pride, while South Africa needs a strong performance to secure a semi-final berth. The absence of Bavuma and De Zorzi could affect South Africa’s batting, but they still have a strong lineup. England’s inclusion of Saqib Mahmood could strengthen their bowling attack.
What’s at Stake?
- England: Already eliminated but looking to finish strong.
- South Africa: A win guarantees their semi-final spot.
- Karachi pitch: Expected to favor batting early on.
This match will test South Africa’s depth as they chase a target set by England. With both teams making crucial squad changes, it will be interesting to see how they adapt. Can England end their campaign on a high, or will South Africa dominate and march into the semi-finals?
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
