England and South Africa will clash in the third ODI of the 2025 series on 7th September at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. This is the final match of the series — for England, it’s about saving pride, while South Africa will aim for a clean sweep. The contest also holds importance as preparation for upcoming ICC events.
Pitch Report: Decent for Batting
The Rose Bowl pitch usually provides a balance between bat and ball. In the early overs, pacers often extract swing with the new ball, but as the game progresses, batting becomes easier. The average first-innings score here ranges between 250-280 runs. Spinners are likely to get some assistance in the second innings. Weather could be slightly humid with cloud cover, which may help the ball skid.
Probable Playing XI: England vs South Africa
England (Probable XI)
- Jamie Smith
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook (C)
- Jos Buttler (WK)
- Jacob Bethell
- Will Jacks
- Jamie Overton
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
Jamie Overton’s return adds strength to the pace attack. England’s batting heavily relies on experienced players like Root, Buttler, and Brook.
South Africa (Probable XI)
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickelton (WK)
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Dewald Brevis
- Tony de Zorzi
- Wiaan Mulder
- Keshav Maharaj
- Nandre Burger
- Lungi Ngidi
- Kagiso Rabada
South Africa’s top order has been in excellent form throughout the series. Their bowling trio of Rabada, Ngidi, and Maharaj has troubled the English batsmen consistently.
Current Form
South Africa have already sealed the series 2-0. Their batting unit has shown maturity under pressure, while the bowlers have delivered crucial breakthroughs. England, on the other hand, has lacked consistency in batting — with Root and Buttler struggling, while young players are still trying to cement their places. Jofra Archer’s comeback has boosted morale, but his fitness will be closely monitored.
At The Rose Bowl, South Africa historically enjoys a better record against England. Overall head-to-head stats also favor the Proteas, giving them additional confidence.
Head-to-Head Stats in ODI Format
Here’s the latest head-to-head ODI record between England and South Africa, updated as of the present series in September 2025:
| Format | Matches Played | England Wins | South Africa Wins | No Result | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall ODI H2H | 73 | 30 | 37 | 5 | 1 |
- This tally is current as of September 2025, based on records from multiple sources.
Summary:
- England and South Africa have faced each other in 73 ODIs, of which South Africa leads with 37 wins, while England trails with 30.
- Additionally, 5 matches ended without result and 1 was tied.
- This head-to-head margin underlines South Africa’s consistent edge over England in the ODI format historically.
England vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 Match Prediction and Expert Tips
England will be desperate to avoid a whitewash, but South Africa’s strong batting depth and bowling variety make them slight favorites. The toss will play a key role, as teams may prefer to bowl first and exploit early conditions.
In fantasy leagues, Root, Buttler, Markram, Rabada, and Archer will be the top picks.
Cricreads predicts that England will win the 3rd ODI Match against South Africa
Conclusion
This 3rd ODI promises to be a thrilling battle — England looking to salvage pride and South Africa eyeing a clean sweep. With pitch conditions, weather, and current form in play, fans can expect an exciting and competitive contest.