South Africa dominates England to secure semi-final spot in Champions Trophy 2025

A strong all-round bowling performance, followed by half-centuries from Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen, led South Africa to a commanding seven-wicket victory over England in the final Group B match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday at National Bank Stadium.

Chasing a modest target of 180 runs, South Africa comfortably reached the target, losing just three wickets and finishing with 125 balls to spare.

The Proteas, however, had a shaky start to their chase as Jofra Archer dismissed both openers, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, inside the powerplay when the score was 47. 

Rickelton scored 27 off 25 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Stubbs was dismissed for a duck off five balls.

After the early setbacks, Klaasen and van der Dussen combined forces and put South Africa back on track with a solid 127-run partnership. Klaasen was dismissed when the team needed just six runs to win. He scored 64 off 56 balls, including 11 boundaries.

Van der Dussen, who stayed at the crease till the end, guided South Africa to victory with an unbeaten 72 off 87 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes.

For England, Archer took two wickets, while Adil Rashid claimed one.

South Africa's progression to the semi-finals was secured not only by their victory but also by a combined bowling effort that kept Afghanistan from surpassing them in net run rate. As a result, South Africa and Australia advanced to the Final Four from Group B.

England, under the captaincy of Jos Buttler, decided to bat first, but their batting effort fell short as they were all out for just 179 in 38.2 overs. The former World Cup winners, already eliminated from the semi-final race, had a poor start, with Marco Jansen dismantling their top order and leaving them at a precarious 37/3 after 6.4 overs.

Joe Root and Harry Brook tried to rebuild England’s innings with a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Brook was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj for 19 off 29 balls, and Root was bowled out by Wiaan Mulder for 37 off 44 balls, which included four fours and a six.

England captain Buttler remained steady, but the middle-order collapse saw England slip to 129/7 in 25.3 overs. Buttler found support from Archer as they added 42 runs for the eighth wicket before both were dismissed in quick succession. Buttler scored 21 off 43 balls, and Archer made 25 off 31 balls.

For South Africa, Jansen and Mulder each took three wickets, while Maharaj claimed two. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi also contributed with one wicket each.

With this victory, South Africa secured a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, joining Australia as the two teams from Group B.