South Africa Eye for Series Win at Lord’s against England

England will face South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series at Lord’s, London, on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The visitors are already 1-0 ahead after a dominant seven-wicket victory at Headingley. The question now is: will England fight back to level the series, or will South Africa seal it with one match to spare?

England vs South Africa Match Preview

In the first ODI at Headingley, South Africa decimated England, who were outclassed and cleaned up for just 131 runs, leading to a seven-wicket victory for South Africa. England’s bowling woes were exposed as debutant Sonny Baker was taken to the cleaners by Aiden Markram. With South Africa heading into this contest eyeing a series win, Harry Brook will face his first real test as captain, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Head-to-Head Record in ODIs:

England and South Africa have met 72 times in ODIs. England has won 30 matches, and South Africa 36, with five no results and one tie. Their rivalry began in 1992 and in the most recent clash on September 2, 2025, South Africa won by seven wickets.

England Preview

England’s ODI struggles continued at Headingley, where they were bowled out for just 131. After a strong start led by Jamie Smith’s quick 54, which had them in a solid position at 82-2, England suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last eight wickets for only 49 runs.

During the chase, England’s bowling was ineffective, particularly from debutant Sonny Baker, who was hit all over the ground, finishing with expensive figures of 0-76 from seven overs. Although Adil Rashid managed to take three wickets late in the game, it was too little, too late, as the match was already out of reach.

Since the 2023 World Cup, their journey has been full of setbacks. First, they lost 1-2 in the Caribbean, and then they slipped 2-3 at home to Australia. Soon after, they fell 1-2 again in the West Indies, followed by a painful 0-3 whitewash in India and a Champions Trophy exit. The only bright spot was a 3-0 home sweep of the West Indies earlier this year. Now at the Home of Cricket, England must rediscover that spark or risk another series slipping away.

South Africa Preview

South Africa has not had much success at Lord’s, having won only one of the five ODI matches played at the venue, and that win came while chasing. Therefore, South Africa will once again look to bowl first in this fixture and follow the same blueprint as they did in the last match.

South Africa vs. England—Probable Playing XI

England Probable Playing XI:

– Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker

South Africa Probable Playing XI

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Lord’s Pitch Report

The Pitch of the Lord, whose slope so well known doth give swing early, wakes the skill of batters. Bounce and pace can be trusted as the game advances to make the strokes. On dry surfaces spinners are likely to get assistance. Thus, it is usually prudent to bat first but bowlers tend to rule the initial rounds.

Furthermore, England also smashed Australia by 186 runs in the final ODI in this series and scored 312 runs and then bowled them out of 126. That game brought out the early seam and swing characteristic of Lord to punish batters but once established, stroke makers can take over on this special slope.