South Africa eye Champions Trophy semi-finals in clash against England: Match Preview

The Champions Trophy is certainly nearing the business end. And with just one semi-finals spot up for grabs. South Africa and Afghanistan are still in contention.

Afghanistan sharing points with Australia after their game was washed out on Friday means they are still in the race for the final four. However, South Africa still hold the advantage with a game in hand and a higher Net Run Rate (NRR).

A win against England will be enough to seal the deal for the Proteas. However, their opponents will also be eyeing to close the tournament with a win.

Having lost to Australia and Afghanistan, England arrive into their final group stage fixture on the back of skipper Jos Buttler having stepped down as white-ball captain. Here's how the two teams line up for the meeting:

WATCH: All On The Line | South Africa vs England | Champions Trophy 2025

Squads:

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch

England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

How to watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Recent form:

South Africa: While the Proteas are in the box seat to progress to the final four of the Champions Trophy, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in recent times. Their clash with Australia was washed out and they handled Afghanistan by 107 runs before that. But that victory ended a run of six straight 50-over defeats, dating back to October last year where they even dropped a game to Ireland.

England: Things have gone from bad to worse for England, carrying their shaky pre-tournament form into the Champions Trophy. Having suffered back-to-back defeats in Lahore, they are out of the running to qualify for the semi-finals. There’s no question they’ve been competitive, but haven’t been able to apply the finishing touch in either match.

Players in focus:

South Africa: Temba Bavuma

Given England’s well-publicised struggles to close out their matches, captaincy will be key for Bavuma and his side. Strategy and field placements could well prove the difference, whether the Proteas end up batting first or chasing. Bavuma, of course, also remains a key pillar of South Africa’s batting lineup.

England: Jos Buttler

Staying with the captaincy theme here, the pressure has well and truly been applied to Jos Buttler, forced to answer leadership questions after his team’s loss to Afghanistan. He’s confirmed England’s leadership future will come under the microscope in due time, but either way he would be desperate to deflate some of that noise by leading with his actions and helping England finish the Champions Trophy on a high.

Buttler ponders future as England come to grips with Champions Trophy exit

How to watch:

India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels)

Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app

UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY

UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App

USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)

Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, Streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app

Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too)

New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app.

South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App

Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app

Afghanistan: ATN

Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa

The games can also be viewed on ICC.tv (In select territories)