South Africa v England cricket preview & betting tips | March 1

South Africa vs England best bets

South Africa vs England match preview

South Africa will be looking to lock in the top spot of Group B in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as they face England this Saturday in Karachi.

After winning their opening clash against Afghanistan by 107 runs, the Proteas’ clash against Australia was called off without a ball bowled on Tuesday night. However, as a result of their excellent net run rate, their place in the semifinals is practically locked in.

On the other hand, England have had a horrific tournament. After losing their opening match by five wickets to Australia, England suffered the biggest upset of the tournament so far, falling to Afghanistan by eight runs and subsequently being knocked out of the Champions Trophy.

While they have scored well over 300 runs in both innings so far, England’s bowling has been poor, unable to take wickets, while the runs have been flowing freely.

South Africa have played at the venue twice in 2025, setting scores of 352 and 315, so expect this match to be another high-scoring affair.

South Africa vs England team news

While the Proteas may be tempted to rest some of their players for this clash, they will still be wary of winning this game and the group in order to avoid India in the semifinals. However, they may regain explosive wicketkeeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen, who missed the opening match with an elbow injury.

Projected South Africa XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

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On the other hand, expect England to make plenty of changes with nothing on the line, as players such as Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Saqib Mahmood and Rehan Ahmed are yet to play a game this tournament.

Projected England XI: Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson.

South Africa vs England prediction

Based on England’s poor performances so far in 2025, it is hard to see them turning their form around for a meaningless game. South Africa are a much stronger bowling side, while their batting has an excellent mix of patience and late-order hitting. With top spot in the group on the line, back South Africa to remain undefeated at -125 with top online bookmakers.

A staple of the South African side, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has embraced his new role of bowling first change. Rabada has taken eight wickets in his last three games while going at an economy rate of under five runs per over. Pace has been a weakness for this English side, and with Rabada in such good form, back him to take three or more wickets at +275 with leading cricket betting sites.

Coming off 120 against Afghanistan and 68 against Australia, Joe Root will be hoping to finish his tournament on a high. Playing the anchor role through the middle overs, Root has cleared 50 in four of his last seven ODI innings, while he has also shown exceptional form across all other formats. The Englishman averages 45.33 against South Africa, so expect him to continue his strong form with 50 or more runs at +150 with Marantelli Bet.

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