Introduction: A Record-Breaking Day for England
On September 7, 2025, at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, England delivered a cricketing masterclass, obliterating South Africa by 342 runs in the third ODI—the largest victory margin in men’s ODI history. This England vs South Africa 3rd ODI recap captures a day where 21-year-old Jacob Bethell announced his arrival with a scintillating maiden century, Joe Root showcased his timeless class, and Jofra Archer unleashed a fiery spell that left the Proteas in tatters. Despite losing the series 2-1, England’s emphatic consolation win was a statement of intent, preventing a home whitewash for the first time since 2006.
South Africa, riding high after victories at Headingley and Lord’s, crumbled under pressure, folding for just 72 while chasing a mammoth 415. The match wasn’t just about numbers—it was a showcase of England’s depth, with young talent and seasoned stars combining for a performance that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Why was this match a turning point? How did Bethell and Archer redefine their roles? Let’s dive into the action, stats, and stories behind this historic clash.
Match Overview and Toss Decision
South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to exploit early conditions at Southampton. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap The pitch, a batting paradise, offered little assistance to bowlers, with clear skies promising a high-scoring affair. South Africa rested Lungi Ngidi and Senuran Muthusamy, handing a debut to medium-pacer Codi Yusuf, while England retained their XI, banking on their aggressive batting lineup.
The Proteas aimed for a series whitewash, having clinched the first two ODIs with a seven-wicket win and a thrilling five-run victory. England, under Harry Brook’s captaincy, were desperate to restore pride and avoid an unwanted record. Could they seize the moment on a flat track? The stage was set for a high-stakes dead rubber.
England’s Batting Innings: A Run-Fest Led by Bethell and Root
Jacob Bethell Century England’s batting was a spectacle of precision and power, amassing 414/5 in 50 overs—their fifth-highest ODI total and highest against South Africa. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap The innings was built on a 182-run third-wicket stand between Jacob Bethell and Joe Root, with Jos Buttler and Jamie Smith adding fireworks.
Openers Set the Tone
The innings began with Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett racing to 59 in 8.3 overs. Smith, in sparkling form, struck 62 off 48 balls (9 fours, 1 six), surviving a dropped catch by Matthew Breetzke on 23. Duckett’s 31 off 33 ended with a top-edged pull off Corbin Bosch, but the platform was set.
Bethell’s Breakthrough Century
Jacob Bethell Century Jacob Bethell, at No. 4, walked in at 117/2 and unleashed a 76-ball 110 (13 fours, 3 sixes). The 21-year-old left-hander targeted Keshav Maharaj, smashing three straight sixes to assert dominance. His century, reached with a rasping cover drive, made him England’s second-youngest ODI centurion after David Gower. Bethell’s composure, especially after a drop on 44 by Nandre Burger, underlined his potential as a future star. Could this innings secure his Ashes spot?
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Smith | 62 | 48 | 9 | 1 | 129.17 |
| Ben Duckett | 31 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 93.94 |
| Jacob Bethell | 110 | 82 | 13 | 3 | 134.15 |
Root’s Vintage Masterclass
Joe Root, England’s ODI Player of the Summer, played the anchor with a 95-ball 100 (6 fours). His innings was a clinic in accumulation, featuring 50 singles, 10 twos, and two threes. Root’s ability to rotate strike allowed Bethell to attack, and their 182-run partnership in 24 overs overwhelmed South Africa. Root’s 19th ODI ton, his 58th in international cricket, came with a trademark reverse scoop.
| Partnership | Runs | Balls | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Wicket (Smith-Duckett) | 59 | 51 | Smith 23, Duckett 31 |
| 2nd Wicket (Smith-Root) | 58 | 47 | Smith 39, Root 17 |
| 3rd Wicket (Root-Bethell) | 182 | 144 | Root 62, Bethell 110 |
Buttler’s Explosive Finish
After Root’s departure (caught at point) and Harry Brook’s run-out for 3, Jos Buttler (62* off 32, 8 fours, 1 six) and Will Jacks (19* off 8, 2 fours, 1 six) ensured a grand finish. Buttler’s 27-ball fifty included scoops, ramps, and a lofted drive off Maharaj. Jacks’ straight six off Burger coincided with a government emergency alert, adding drama. England plundered 43 runs in the last 19 balls, crossing 400 for the seventh time in ODIs.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | 100 | 96 | 6 | 0 | 104.17 |
| Jos Buttler | 62* | 32 | 8 | 1 | 193.75 |
| Will Jacks | 19* | 8 | 2 | 1 | 237.50 |
Key Stat: England scored at least two runs in every over, with Powerplay 1 yielding 67/1 and Powerplay 3 adding 115/3.
South Africa’s Bowling Woes: A Day to Forget
South Africa’s bowling unit was dismantled, conceding 27 extras, including 19 wides—a reflection of their lackluster effort. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap Nandre Burger’s 0/95 in 10 overs set a new record for the most expensive figures by a South African in ODIs. Debutant Codi Yusuf leaked 80 runs without a wicket, narrowly avoiding the same fate. Corbin Bosch (2/79) and Keshav Maharaj (2/61) took wickets but were costly, while Wiaan Mulder (0/64) and Dewald Brevis (0/28) struggled.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nandre Burger | 10 | 0 | 95 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Codi Yusuf | 10 | 0 | 80 | 0 | 8.00 |
| Corbin Bosch | 10 | 0 | 79 | 2 | 7.90 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 8 | 0 | 61 | 2 | 7.60 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 8 | 0 | 64 | 0 | 8.00 |
Fielding lapses compounded their misery. Breetzke’s comical drop of Smith and Burger’s miss of Bethell on 44 were pivotal. Bavuma’s calf strain further hampered South Africa, ruling him out of batting. Was this a case of complacency after securing the series? Temba Bavuma later admitted, “Things went terribly wrong.”
South Africa’s Batting Collapse: Archer’s Fiery Spell
Chasing 415 was a tall order, but South Africa’s batting imploded, bowled out for 72 in 20.5 overs—their second-lowest ODI total. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap Jofra Archer’s fiery spell of 4/18 in 9 overs, including 4/5 in his first five, was the catalyst. His pace, touching 93mph, left the Proteas reeling at 24/6 in the Powerplay.
Archer’s Devastating Opening
Archer struck with his second ball, dismissing Aiden Markram (0) with a short, wide delivery that was edged to Buttler. Ryan Rickelton (1) nicked a tight line, Breetzke (4) top-edged a bouncer, and Tristan Stubbs (10) was caught at slip. His first seven overs read 4/10, with three maidens.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | 9 | 3 | 18 | 4 | 2.00 |
| Brydon Carse | 6 | 1 | 33 | 2 | 5.50 |
| Adil Rashid | 3.5 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 3.40 |
Carse and Rashid Seal the Deal
Brydon Carse (2/33) complemented Archer, removing Mulder (0) and Brevis (6) with edges. Adil Rashid’s 3/13, including the final wicket of Corbin Bosch (20), wrapped up the innings. Keshav Maharaj (17) offered brief resistance, but with Bavuma absent hurt, South Africa narrowly avoided their lowest ODI total of 69.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Bosch | 20 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 17 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 10 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 45.45 |
Key Stat: South Africa’s top three scored 0, 1, and 0—the first time in their ODI history.
England’s Bowling Masterclass
Jofra Archer Bowling Spell England’s bowlers were relentless. Archer’s pace and bounce evoked memories of his 2019 World Cup heroics, earning him Player of the Match. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap Carse’s seam movement and Rashid’s variations ensured no respite. Jamie Overton (0/8) provided control, though two dropped catches prevented an even lower total. Was this the most complete bowling performance of the series?
Key Moments and Turning Points
- Bethell’s Assault on Maharaj (Over 25): Three sixes in an over shifted momentum.
- Archer’s First Wicket (0.2 Overs): Markram’s duck set the tone for South Africa’s collapse.
- Root’s 50 (21.3 Overs): Steady accumulation laid the foundation.
- Bethell’s Century (36th Over): A cover drive sealed his maiden ton, earning a standing ovation.
- Buttler’s Blitz (49th Over): 17 runs off Burger’s final over, including Jacks’ six.
- South Africa 24/6 (10th Over): Archer and Carse’s Powerplay destruction.
- Rashid’s Final Blow (20.5 Overs): Bosch’s reverse sweep ended the innings.
Player Performances and Ratings
| Player | Performance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Bethell | 110 off 82, aggressive vs spin, 3 sixes | 9/10 |
| Jofra Archer | 4/18, 93mph pace, 3 maidens | 10/10 |
| Joe Root | 100 off 95, 50 singles, anchor role | 8.5/10 |
| Jos Buttler | 62* off 32, 27-ball fifty, explosive finish | 8/10 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 2/61, 17 off 17, fought despite defeat | 7/10 |
Bethell: A breakout performance, silencing doubters after Test struggles. Archer: Unplayable, proving his fitness and form. Root: Vintage, selfless innings. Buttler: Turned the screws in the death overs. Maharaj: South Africa’s lone warrior with bat and ball.
Statistical Milestones and Records
- Biggest ODI Win: England’s 342-run margin surpassed India’s 317 vs Sri Lanka (2023).
- South Africa’s Low: 72 is their second-lowest ODI total, behind 69 vs Australia (1993).
- Bethell’s Age: At 21y 319d, second-youngest England ODI centurion after Gower.
- Root’s Tons: 19 ODI centuries, six more than any Englishman.
- Archer’s Spell: 4/5 in first five overs, best Powerplay figures for England.
- England’s 400s: Seventh 400-plus total in ODIs, joint-second with India.
- South Africa’s Collapse: 24/6 in Powerplay, lowest for their first six wickets.
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Biggest ODI Win Margin | 342 runs (ENG vs SA, 2025) |
| South Africa’s Lowest ODI Totals | 69 (1993), 72 (2025) |
| England’s 400+ Totals | 7, joint-second with India |
| Bethell’s Century Age | 21y 319d, second-youngest for England |
Post-Match Reactions and Quotes
- Harry Brook: “Ultimate performance… No reason we can’t get 400-450 on good wickets.”
- Temba Bavuma: “A poor showing… We dropped chances below our standard.”
- Joe Root: “Bethell is wise beyond his years… I’ve known him since he was 8.”
- Jofra Archer: “I tried to hit the pitch hard… Playing three games in a row means a lot.”
- Keshav Maharaj (Player of the Series): “Winning 2-1 in England is special.”
Bethell told BBC Test Match Special: “It feels unbelievable… An addicting feeling, hopefully more to come.”
Series Wrap-Up and Future Implications
South Africa won the series 2-1, their first ODI series triumph in England since 1998, thanks to Breetzke’s consistency and Maharaj’s spin. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap However, the 342-run loss exposed vulnerabilities, especially in dead rubbers, as seen in their recent 276-run defeat to Australia.
For England, the match was a glimpse of their potential. Bethell’s emergence strengthens their white-ball core, while Archer’s return signals a fearsome pace attack for the Ashes and beyond. The upcoming T20I series in Cardiff and England’s tour to New Zealand will test their momentum. Can Bethell displace Ollie Pope at No. 3 for the Ashes?
Read our preview for the ENG vs SA T20I series
Conclusion: A Day for the History Books
The England vs South Africa 3rd ODI recap is a tale of brilliance and collapse. Jacob Bethell’s maiden ton and Jofra Archer’s fiery spell crafted a 342-run rout that redefined ODI records. England’s batting depth and bowling ferocity shone, while South Africa’s capitulation raised questions about their mentality in dead rubbers. What does this mean for England’s Ashes preparations? Can South Africa bounce back in the T20Is? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow IPL Star for more cricket updates!
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Who was the star of the 3rd ODI?
- Jacob Bethell
- Jofra Archer
- Joe Root
- Jos Buttler
FAQ: England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap
1. What was the result of the England vs South Africa 3rd ODI in 2025? England defeated South Africa by 342 runs on September 7, 2025, at Southampton, posting 414/5 and bowling out South Africa for 72. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap This was the largest victory margin in men’s ODI history, with Jacob Bethell’s century and Jofra Archer’s spell stealing the show.
2. Who scored the maiden century for England in the 3rd ODI? Jacob Bethell Century
England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap Jacob Bethell scored his maiden ODI century, smashing 110 off 82 balls (13 fours, 3 sixes) at 21 years old. His aggressive innings, including three sixes off Keshav Maharaj, made him England’s second-youngest ODI centurion, powering England to 414/5.
3. How did Jofra Archer perform in the 3rd ODI against South Africa? Jofra Archer bowling spell Jofra Archer delivered a fiery spell, taking 4/18 in 9 overs, including 4/5 in his first five. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap Dismissing Markram, Rickelton, Breetzke, and Stubbs, his 93mph pace decimated South Africa’s top order, reducing them to 24/6 in the Powerplay.
4. What was the biggest victory margin in the England vs South Africa 3rd ODI? England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap England’s 342-run win was the largest victory margin in men’s ODI history, surpassing India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023. England scored 414/5, while South Africa collapsed for 72, marking their second-lowest ODI total.
5. Why did South Africa collapse in the 3rd ODI chase? South Africa’s batting crumbled to 72 in 20.5 overs due to Jofra Archer’s fiery spell (4/18) and Brydon Carse’s support (2/33). England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap The top order failed, scoring 0, 1, and 0, with Temba Bavuma absent due to a calf injury, leading to a historic collapse.
6. How did Joe Root contribute in the 3rd ODI? Joe Root century Joe Root scored a vintage 100 off 95 balls (6 fours), his 19th ODI century, with 50 singles and 10 twos. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap His 182-run stand with Bethell set up England’s 414/5, showcasing his role as the innings anchor.
7. What role did Jos Buttler play in England’s total? Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls (8 fours, 1 six), including a 27-ball fifty. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap His late blitz, with scoops and ramps, alongside Will Jacks’ 19*, propelled England past 400, finishing at 414/5.
8. What records were broken in the England vs South Africa 3rd ODI? The match set the record for the largest ODI win margin (342 runs). England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap South Africa’s 72 was their second-lowest ODI total. Bethell became England’s second-youngest ODI centurion, and Nandre Burger’s 0/95 was South Africa’s most expensive bowling figures.
9. Who won the Player of the Match and Series awards? England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap Jofra Archer was named Player of the Match for his 4/18, while Keshav Maharaj earned Player of the Series for his consistent bowling and batting contributions across the 2-1 series win for South Africa.
10. How did the 3rd ODI impact the England-South Africa series? Despite England’s 342-run win, South Africa won the series 2-1, their first ODI series triumph in England since 1998. England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Recap England’s consolation victory highlighted Bethell’s potential and Archer’s return, setting the stage for the T20I series.