South Africa will look to continue their unbeaten run when they lock horns against England in their final group game of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game is scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday (March 1).
South Africa are currently at the top of the points table in their group and are looking destined to make it to the semifinals. Even before their last group game, their place in the semifinal can be confirmed if the result of the game between Afghanistan and Australia goes their way.
In case the result does not go their way, South Africa will still have their fate in their own hands. They can book their place in the last four if they beat England. So, as South Africa look to qualify for the Champions Trophy semifinals, we are taking a look at the South Africa Playing 11 for the SA vs ENG game.
South Africa Playing 11 vs England – ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match 11:
Openers: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c)
South Africa could have a new opening combination for their final group game. Heinrich Klaasen missed the first game against Afghanistan due to an elbow niggle and is likely to return to the South Africa Playing 11 for the crucial game.
If Klaasen indeed returns, Tony de Zorzi is expected to make way for him. In the first game, Ryan Rickelton got a chance only because of Klaasen’s absence and he grabbed it with both hands. Rickelton scored a century and is likely to retain his spot in the South Africa Playing 11.
On the other hand, de Zorzi is likely to be dropped from the team after failing to impress against Afghanistan. With de Zorzi set to be dropped, captain Temba Bavuma is expected to be promoted as an opener. He scored 58 runs in the first game and will look to lead his team from the front.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen
Most of South Africa’s batters had a good outing with the bat in their previous outing against South Africa. Rassie van der Dussen scored 52 runs off just 46 balls against Afghanistan.
South Africa’s middle-order is set to be further bolstered with the imminent return of Klaasen. Aiden Markram had a good outing against Afghanistan as well. He scored an unbeaten 52 off just 36 balls to help his side finish the innings strongly.
While the likes of van der Dussen and Markram impressed with the bat, veteran batsman David Miller failed to impress. He was out for just 14 runs and will look to make amends in the upcoming game.
Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder are expected to be the two all-rounders in the South Africa Playing 11. While both of them did not have much to do with the bat, they made an impact with the ball. Jansen picked up 1 for 32 while Mulder claimed 2 wickets for 36 runs.
Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
South Africa are likely to have two frontline pacers and one specialist spinner in their lineup. Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada are set to be the two specialist pacers in South Africa’s Playing 11 while Keshav Maharaj will be the lead spinner.
Rabada and Ngidi had picked up 3 and 2 wickets respectively against Afghanistan and will look to make an impact once again. On the other hand, Maharaj had picked up 1 wicket for 46 runs off his 10 overs.