New Delhi: South Africa continued their wonderful form, maintaining their unbeaten status in the Champions Trophy 2025, comfortably moving to semi-finals with a seven-wicket drubbing of England in their final group stage match. This win, however, guaranteed the Proteas’ spot at the top of Group B, even though South Africa had already booked a spot in the knockout stage before this contest ended and will thus feature in the second semi-final on 5 March.
Taking place at National Stadium Karachi on 1 March, this match largely lacked significance as South Africa’s qualification was already assured. England had to beat the Proteas convincingly for Afghanistan to qualify. But dreams of making the knockout stages were quickly extinguished, with South Africa’s bowlers reducing New Zealand to very little early on and, once they reached the semi-final, their batsmen confirming with ease. This was a performance to send a message to their opponents before the knockouts.
England, already eliminated from the tournament, had the opportunity to redeem themselves in this match. None of the winners were more significant than that of captain Jos Buttler, who tendered his resignation from England leadership only a day earlier. Buttler, hoping for a spectacular finish, instead watched his team collapse to a score of 179. Marco Jansen, the left-arm pacer, struck the first blow in the first over and ended up with three wickets. Wiaan Mulder, the all-rounder, also took a three-for. The highest score for England came from Joe Root with 37 runs.
Openers Tristan Stubbs fell for a duck in the third over, and South Africa’s chase started shakily. England were not without hope at the end of the morning session as they dismissed fellow opener Ryan Rickelton just before lunch, still short of his half-century. Heinrich Klaasen (64) and Rassie van der Dussen (72*) then formed a century partnership that ultimately proved decisive, condemning England to defeat. Klaasen was out before the finish line was crossed, but the ever-dependable van der Dussen was there to see his team home, ending at the top of the points table ahead of the knockouts.
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