England Humiliate South Africa with Record 342-Run ODI Victory

When the England team walked out to bat at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on September 7, 2025, they were ready to make a statement after South Africa chose to field first. The pitch looked good, and England’s batsmen were determined to pile on the runs in this crucial third ODI of the series, with South Africa already leading 2-0.

England Innings

The innings kicked off with Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett opening the batting. They got off to a solid start, putting together a 59-run partnership in just 8.3 overs. Duckett played some crisp shots, scoring 31 runs off 33 balls with six fours, but his stay ended when Corbin Bosch got him caught by Aiden Markram. Smith, meanwhile, looked in fine touch, racing to 62 off 48 balls, including nine fours and a six, before Keshav Maharaj had him caught by Bosch. Their quick scoring set a strong foundation, with England reaching 67/1 in the first powerplay.

An absolute run-machine ⚙@IGCom | 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvSA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/6A0eOnYwQz

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Joe Root joined Smith at the crease, and the two steadied the ship after Duckett’s departure. Root played his characteristic composed game, while Smith’s aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking. By the 13.4-over mark, England crossed 100 runs, and Smith brought up his fifty off 38 balls. The second wicket partnership added 58 runs before Smith fell, leaving England at 117/2 after 16.2 overs.

Jacob Bethell, the young star, then walked in and immediately took charge. He and Root forged a game-changing third-wicket stand of 182 runs in 24 overs. Bethell was the aggressor, smashing 110 off 82 balls, with 13 fours and three sixes, reaching his century in just 76 balls. His fearless strokeplay, especially through the covers and down the ground, was a treat to watch. Root, on the other hand, played the anchor role, scoring a steady 100 off 96 balls with six fours. Their partnership pushed England to 200 in 29.6 overs and then to 250 in 35.5 overs. Bethell’s century made him England’s second-youngest ODI centurion, a remarkable feat for the 21-year-old.

South Africa tried to fight back with a review for a wicket against Bethell in the 36th over, but it was struck down. The third-wicket stand finally broke when Maharaj dismissed Bethell, caught by Ryan Rickelton, at 299/3 in 40.2 overs. England were flying, entering the third powerplay in a commanding position. Harry Brook’s brief cameo ended quickly as he was run out for 3 off 2 balls, leaving England at 302/4. Jos Buttler, the captain, joined Root and injected fresh energy. Buttler played a blazing knock of 62 not out off 32 balls, including eight fours and a six, reaching his fifty in just 27 balls. Root, meanwhile, completed his century before falling for 100, caught off Bosch’s bowling, at 371/5 in 46.5 overs.

How’s he done that then? 😂 pic.twitter.com/dKpDcCFI4x

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

With Will Jacks joining Buttler, England kept the momentum going. Jacks smashed 19 not out off 8 balls, including two fours and a six. The duo added quick runs, helped by 27 extras (19 wides, 7 leg byes, and 1 no-ball). England crossed 350 in 44.6 overs and 400 in 49.1 overs, finishing at a massive 414/5 in 50 overs, with a run rate of 8.28. South Africa’s bowlers struggled, with Bosch (2/79) and Maharaj (2/61) picking up wickets but conceding runs at a high rate. Nandre Burger (0/95) and Codi Yusuf (0/80) were expensive, unable to contain England’s aggressive batting.

South Africa Innings

South Africa began their chase of 415 runs and they were up against a monumental task at The Rose Bowl on September 7, 2025. England’s bowlers, led by a fired-up Jofra Archer, were ready to exploit the pressure, and South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled early, leading to a historic collapse. The innings started disastrously for South Africa. Aiden Markram, a key top-order batsman, was dismissed for a duck off just 2 balls, caught by Jos Buttler off Archer’s bowling in the very first over. Things went from bad to worse as Wiaan Mulder followed soon after, caught by Harry Brook off Brydon Carse for another duck in the 1.4th over, leaving South Africa at 2/2. The third blow came when Ryan Rickelton, the wicketkeeper, edged one to Buttler off Archer for just 1 run off 5 balls, reducing South Africa to 6/3 in 2.4 overs.

Wicket in the first over! 🔥

Archer nicks off Markram with the second ball of the innings 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iegW6B8wS5

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Matthew Breetzke tried to hold the fort but managed only 4 runs off 10 balls before Archer struck again, with Buttler taking his third catch of the innings. At 7/4 in 4.4 overs, South Africa were in deep trouble. Tristan Stubbs showed some resistance, scoring 10 off 22 balls, but he too fell to Archer, caught by Will Jacks, leaving the score at 18/5 in 8.5 overs. Archer was relentless, finishing with figures of 4/18 in 9 overs, including three maidens, tearing through the top order. Dewald Brevis, the young hope for South Africa, couldn’t turn the tide either. He scored 6 off 12 balls, including a six, but was caught by Jamie Overton off Carse’s bowling in the 9.5th over, making it 24/6. The first powerplay ended with South Africa at a dismal 24/6, already staring at a massive defeat.

Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj tried to offer some resistance. Maharaj, known more for his bowling, played a defiant knock of 17 off 17 balls, hitting two fours and a six. Together with Bosch, who scored 20 off 32 balls with three fours, they added 25 runs for the seventh wicket. By the 15.2-over mark, South Africa crossed 50 runs, but the required run rate was already out of reach. Adil Rashid then entered the attack and turned the screws further. He dismissed Maharaj, caught by Joe Root, in the 14.2nd over, and followed it up by bowling Codi Yusuf for 5 off 11 balls in the 16.6th over, leaving South Africa at 57/8. England reviewed a decision against Bosch in the 17.6th over, but it was struck down. However, Rashid wasn’t done. He wrapped up the innings by dismissing Bosch, caught by Carse, for 20 in the 20.5th over, bowling South Africa out for 72.

Bethell & Root ton up 🏏
Jofra Archer on 🔥
342 run victory margin 👏
Full 3rd ODI highlights 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Nandre Burger remained not out on 2 off 7 balls, but with captain Temba Bavuma absent due to a calf strain, South Africa had no fight left. The innings lasted just 20.5 overs, with a run rate of 3.45. Extras contributed 7 runs, all from wides. Rashid’s 3/13 in 3.5 overs and Carse’s 2/33 in 6 overs complemented Archer’s fiery spell. Jamie Overton bowled 2 overs for 8 runs but went wicketless. South Africa’s total of 72 was their second-lowest in ODIs, and the 342-run defeat was the heaviest in men’s ODI history. The batting collapse, worsened by Bavuma’s absence, highlighted their struggles against England’s disciplined and aggressive bowling attack. Archer’s return to form was a standout, earning him the Player of the Match award, while South Africa’s hopes of a clean sweep were shattered in spectacular fashion.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Bowling his heart out, Jofra Archer delivered a game-changing spell in the match against South Africa, dismantling their batting lineup. In his 9 overs, Archer claimed 4 crucial wickets, conceding just 18 runs at an exceptional economy rate of 2.00. His fiery pace and precision saw him dismiss key batsmen like Aiden Markram (0), Ryan Rickelton (1), Matthew Breetzke (4), and Tristan Stubbs (10), leaving South Africa reeling at 18/5 early in their chase of 415.

Just absolute 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2hcAAKx9mN

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Archer’s ability to swing the ball and maintain tight lines resulted in 47 dot balls, suffocating the opposition. His efforts were complemented by Adil Rashid’s 3 wickets and Brydon Carse’s 2, but Archer’s spell was the standout, earning him the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game. South Africa crumbled to 72 all out in 20.5 overs, with Corbin Bosch’s 20 being their highest score. The absence of captain Temba Bavuma due to injury further weakened their side.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

For the TCNI’s Hero of the Day, Jacob Bethell delivered a stunning performance in England’s commanding 414/5 against their opponents. The young batter smashed an explosive 110 runs off just 82 balls, showcasing his flair with 13 fours and 3 sixes, boasting an impressive strike rate of 134.14. Bethell’s century was a game-changer, anchoring England’s innings and steering them to a formidable total in the 50-over match.

How special was that!? 😍
Simply incredible, Jacob Bethell 👏 pic.twitter.com/VMWBdPPKLE

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Coming in after the fall of the second wicket at 117, he built a crucial 182-run partnership with Joe Root, who also scored a century and Bethell’s aggressive yet composed knock lasted 102 minutes before he was stumped off Keshav Maharaj’s bowling in the 40th over. His contribution was pivotal in England’s dominance, setting a daunting target. Despite strong bowling efforts from Corbin Bosch and Maharaj, who took two wickets each, Bethell’s fearless strokeplay overwhelmed the opposition.