ENG vs SA Preview: South Africa look to capitalize on struggling England

England’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has ended in disappointment, but their final group-stage match against South Africa in Karachi on March 1 is an important encounter.

Currently leading Group B with three points and a Net Run Rate of 2.140, South Africa suffered a setback when their previous match against Australia was washed out. Now, they face a virtual must-win situation against the Three Lions, who have nothing to lose. Skipper Temba Bavuma had mentioned the importance of keeping an eye on England’s performance against Afghanistan before their clash.

Meanwhile, the good news for the Proteas is that wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has recovered from his elbow injury and is available for selection. The qualification scenarios are complex, if South Africa wins, they secure a semifinal spot with five points. However, if England pulls off a big win, the Bavuma-led side’s fate will depend on net run rate.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi is known for being batting-friendly, especially in the early stages of the game. Pacers might get some movement initially, but as the match progresses, batting becomes easier. The flat surface allows batters to play their shots easily. However, as the ball gets older, the pitch tends to slow down, making it hard for batters to play their shots. Spinners could get some assistance later in the game, but a significant turn is unlikely.

Probable XIs

England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi