England vs South Africa Prediction, One-Day International 2nd September 2025

England and South Africa are gearing up for the first ODI of their three-match series at Headingley, Leeds, on Tuesday, September 2. South Africa arrives with high confidence after winning an ODI series against Australia. England’s last white-ball outing was against the West Indies in May-June this year. Currently, England is ranked 8th in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 88. Since Harry Brook took over as captain, England has been in superb form, recently winning a 3-match ODI series against the West Indies 3-0. Let’s dive into the preview and offer predictions.

England vs South Africa: Date and Time of the Match Start

This match is expected to take place on the 2nd September 2025. The kickoff time will be 15:00 pm. 

• Match: England vs South Africa
• Date: Tuesday, 2nd September 2025
• Kick-Off Time: 15:00 pm (AEST)
• Stadium: Headingley, Leeds

Interesting Facts About Teams

Under the captaincy of Harry Brook, England had a successful run against the West Indies, winning both the ODI and T20I series.

Most of their players are coming off stints at The Hundred tournament and will be eager to perform for their national side.

Meanwhile, South Africa enters this series with an ODI series victory over Australia. The team will also be strengthened by the return of star pacer Kagiso Rabada.

South African cricket prodigy Matthew Breetzke recently became the first player to score 50-plus runs in each of his first four ODIs.

Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi both claimed fifers in the recent ODI series against Australia.

For England, Jos Buttler has an average of 44.30 and a strike rate of 108.47 in ODIs against South Africa.

Joe Root is England's highest scorer in ODIs, with 7,126 runs at an average of 49.14.

Weather Report before the Match

The Headingley pitch in Leeds is known to favor batters, making a high-scoring encounter likely. Spinners will also get some help from the surface in the latter stages of the game. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first could be a smart move.

England vs South Africa: Chances of Winning

England’s last white-ball assignment came in May-June against the West Indies, where Harry Brook’s team swept both the ODI and T20I series. With players returning from The Hundred, they are eager to contribute to the national team. Jofra Archer returns to the ODI setup.

South Africa’s top order did the job in the opening game, putting up big runs and ensuring a solid first innings score. This allowed the bowlers to apply pressure on Australia. At one point, things looked promising for the hosts at 60 without loss, but a disastrous collapse saw them slump to 89/6, with batters three through seven all dismissed for single-figure scores.

England`s chance of winning - 57%

South Africa's chance of winning - 43%

England Preview

Joe Root could be the standout batter in the first ODI against South Africa. In the last series against the West Indies, he scored 267 runs in three innings at an average of 133.50, playing a key role in England's series win. Root enters this match full of confidence and will aim to maintain his form.

Under Harry Brook’s captaincy, England has been in excellent ODI form, recently winning a 3-match series against the West Indies 3-0. The young players are in strong form, and England is expected to perform well on home soil against South Africa. Brook, known for his aggressive batting, will play a crucial role, and Sonnie Baker, who impressed with the ball in The Hundred, is expected to be among the wickets.

Key Players: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c)

England Players List

Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood

South Africa Preview

South Africa is currently ranked 6th in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 98. The team is in excellent ODI form, recently defeating Australia 2-0 in a 3-match series on their home turf. Players like Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, and Keshav Maharaj are in strong form, and South Africa is confident ahead of their upcoming matches against England.

After a 2-1 loss in the T20I series, the team is boosted by their ODI success and the return of star pacer Kagiso Rabada, who missed the previous tour due to an ankle injury.

Rabada, who has taken 19 wickets in 15 ODIs in England, could be the standout bowler in the first ODI. Matthew Breetzke, who has been in great form over the past year, is expected to be the top run-scorer for South Africa in the series. Keshav Maharaj, known for his ability to take key wickets, will also be vital to the team's chances.

Key Players: Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis

South Africa Players List

Ryan Rickelton(w); Aiden Markram; Temba Bavuma(c); Tony de Zorzi; Tristan Stubbs; Dewald Brevis; Wiaan Mulder; Corbin Bosch; Keshav Maharaj; Senuran Muthusamy; Kagiso Rabada

England vs South Africa Head-to-Head

In 71 ODI meetings between the two sides, South Africa has won 35 times, while England has won 30. One match was tied, and five games ended without a result.

On English soil, the teams have faced off 29 times. South Africa has won nine games, while England has won 17. Three matches have had no results.

Head-to-Head Record

• Total - 71
• South Africa - 35
• Australia - 30
• Draw - 1
• No Result - 5

Who will win the match, England vs South Africa?

Using advanced computer power and data, Stats Insider has simulated the result of Tuesday`s England vs South Africa One-Day International match 10,000 times.

Our leading predictive analytics model currently gives South Africa a 57% chance of beating England in the One-Day International match of the 2025 season.

England vs South Africa Prediction

Jos Buttler holds the record for the fastest century strike rate in ODI history (minimum 10 centuries). England's new white-ball captain, Harry Brook, believes Zak Crawley has the potential to break into the white-ball setup, especially after finishing as the third-highest run-scorer in The Hundred this season. Sonny Baker will make his England debut in tomorrow's first ODI against South Africa at Headingley.

Jamie Overton has announced an indefinite break from red-ball cricket after contributing to Surrey’s three consecutive County Championship titles, including 36 wickets in 2022. Laurie Evans holds a unique record, having played 339 T20 matches without ever featuring for England in a T20I.

Despite these developments, I believe South Africa will secure the win.

Our first prediction is SOuth Africa to win the toss - 1.90 odds for 1xbet bookmaker

Our second Prediction is South Africa to win - 1.60 odds for Bc.game bookmaker

Our Third Prediction is Over 574.5 Total Match runs - 1.83 for Dafabet Bookmakers