Southampton, September 7, 2025: England produced a record-breaking performance to hammer South Africa by 342 runs, the largest margin of victory in ODI history, in the third and final match of the series at the Rose Bowl on Sunday.
Chasing a mammoth 415, South Africa collapsed to 72 all out in just 20.5 overs, narrowly avoiding their lowest-ever ODI total of 69 against Australia in 1993. The result surpassed India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023 as the biggest victory margin when batting first.
England’s dominance was built on a scintillating maiden century from Jacob Bethell (110 off 82 balls) and a typically composed Joe Root (100), supported by skipper Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 62 and opener Jamie Smith’s 62. Their combined efforts powered England to 414/5, the team’s fifth-highest ODI total.
With the batters setting the stage, Jofra Archer delivered a devastating spell, claiming 4-18 in nine overs as he ripped through South Africa’s top order. Adil Rashid added three wickets to complete the rout.
Despite England losing the series 2-1 after defeats at Headingley and Lord’s, the emphatic win restored pride and underlined the potential of a young side led by rising star Bethell, who is set to captain in the upcoming Ireland series.
South Africa, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly as the focus shifts to the T20I series starting Wednesday.
Match summary:
England 414/5 (50 overs) — Bethell 110, Root 100, Buttler 62*
South Africa 72 all out (20.5 overs) — Archer 4-18, Rashid 3-24
Result: England won by 342 runs; South Africa won series 2-1.
