South Africa vs England is the final ICC Champions Trophy Group B match, Karachi is the venue for Saturday's clash and by match day the Proteas will know what is required to qualify for the semi finals.
South Africa
The Proteas scheduled clash with Australia at Rawalpindi on Tuesday was completely washed out before a toss could be made. This is the final Group B match and the Proteas are on 3 points and now in second spot, 1 point behind Australia and ahead of Afghanistan on net run rate. Australia are already assured of a semi final place and as long as South Africa don't lose heavily in this match, they will also advance.
South Africa made a winning start to the tournament, making short work of Afghanistan in Karachi by a margin of 107 runs. They won the toss and opted to bat first and Ryan Rickleton top scored with 103 in a healthy total of 315/6. Bavuma, van der Dussen and Markram all made 50's. Regular wickets fell in the Afghanistan run chase which finished on 208 all out in 43.3 overs. Rabada took 3 wickets and Mulder and Ngidi 2 a piece.
This was how South Africa lined up in their only completed match so far.
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England
One thing we do know is that England will return home after this game. They have lost both their opening matches and are no longer in contention.
England's exit was confirmed on Wednesday when they lost to Afghanistan by 8 runs in Lahore. They lost the toss and were asked to bowl first and although they had Afghan in early trouble at 37/3 in 8.5 overs, they found themselves tasked with chasing down 325/7. Archer with figures of 3/64 was the pick of the England bowlers. In the chase England lost 2 early wickets but Joe Root, who kept them in the game for most of it's duration made 120. More wickets were lost at crucial times and the innings closed on 317 all out with a ball to spare.
In their first outing England went down to Australia by 5 wickets at Lahore. Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first and England posted 351/8. Duckett made 165 and Root 68. That left Australia requiring a record run chase in this tournament and despite losing 2 wickets in the first 4.1 overs Australia powered to victory with 15 balls to spare. Of 6 bowlers used by England 5 took 1 wicket each with Rashid (1/47) easily the most economical.
This was how England lined up last time out.
Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 70 times in this format with South Africa winning 34 to England's 30 with 1 tie and 5 no results.
The most recent meeting came in Mumbai in the 2023 CWC when South Africa won a pool stage match by all of 229 runs
The Betting
At the time of writing South Africa are 8/10 to win this match and England can be backed at 21/20
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
South Africa have played and won in Karachi whilst England have been in Lahore, the highest scoring venue. It might not be straight forward for SA but I'll side with van der Dussen to top score for SA.
Bet: Top SA Run Scorer van der Dussen at 3.15/1 with Betway
