Joe Root, Jacob Bethell hit swift hundreds for England
Jofra Archer returns figures of 4-18 in nine overs
Thumping victory shatters India's margin record of 317 runs against Sri Lanka in 2023
England demolished South Africa by an all-time record margin of 342 runs in the third and final ODI on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. Seamer Jofra Archer took four wickets and the hosts restored some pride to deny South Africa a series sweep.
Batting first, England scored a mammoth 414-5 in 50 overs with hundreds from Joe Root (100) and 21-year-old Jacob Bethell (110). In reply, South Africa were dismissed for a paltry 72 in 20.5 overs.
Archer picked up four wickets for just five runs in his first five overs and finished with figures of 4-18 in nine overs.
India held the previous winning margin record of 317 runs against Sri Lanka in 2023. Dozens of teams have won by the maximum number of wickets (10) but this is the highest winning margin by runs.
The Proteas won the series 2-1. Catch the highlights and ball-by-ball commentary of the ENG vs RSA, 3rd ODI:
England Vs South Africa 3rd ODI - Toss & Playing XIs
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl against England.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Nandre Burger
England: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Squads:
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton(w), Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, Kwena Maphaka, Codi Yusuf, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
England: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton, Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Jamie Overton