England will face South Africa in the first T20I of the 2025 tour on Wednesday, September 10, at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, with the match starting at 11:00 PM IST.
Read The Betting Professionals’ expert analysis for the 1st T20I match of South Africa tour of England 2025 between England vs South Africa, including top cricket betting sites and predictions.
England vs South Africa (ENG vs SA) 1st Match Details, South Africa tour of England 2025
Series | South Africa tour of England 2025 |
Series Match No | 1st Match |
Format | T20I |
Match Date | 9th September 2025 |
Match Time | `06:30 PM (Local)/11:00 PM IST |
Venue | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff |
England vs South Africa (ENG vs SA) 1st Match Teams Preview, South Africa tour of England 2025
England (ENG) Team Preview
England’s top order looks solid with Jamie Smith adding runs and the Duckett-Buttler duo driving the scoring rate. Duckett’s sweep game and Buttler’s world-class finishing remain key, with both in form after half-centuries in the ODI series.
Captain Harry Brook anchors the middle, while Will Jacks and Tom Banton provide firepower, Jacks fresh off 275 runs in The Hundred. Jacob Bethell brings left-handed hitting and spin, backed by a recent ODI century.
In bowling, Brydon Carse’s bounce and Luke Wood’s left-arm pace test batters, while Liam Dawson adds control alongside Adil Rashid, who already has 135 T20I wickets.
England Predicted XI
Jamie Smith, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer
South Africa (SA) Team Preview
South Africa lean heavily on skipper Aiden Markram, though his recent struggles raise concern. Rickelton’s T20I returns remain modest, while youngsters Pretorius and Brevis show promise but lack consistency.
Stubbs is improving but still tentative against quality attacks, and Miller’s finishing power has waned. Bosch offers pace without penetration, and Muthusamy’s spin often drifts into containment.
Rabada remains the key wicket-taker, with Ngidi hampered by form and injuries, and youngster Maphaka still adapting after an expensive last outing.
South Africa Predicted XI
Aiden Markram(c), Ryan Rickelton(w), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi
England vs South Africa (ENG vs SA) Head to Head
England and South Africa have faced each other 26 times in T20 internationals. South Africa have a slight edge with 13 wins, while England have won 12 matches. One game ended with no result, and none have been tied. The two sides first met on September 16, 2007, and their most recent encounter was on June 21, 2024.
England vs South Africa (ENG vs SA) 1st Match Pitch Report, South Africa tour of England 2025
The Sophia Gardens pitch is likely to aid pacers early with swing and seam, making patience crucial for batters before settling in to play their shots. The surface offers balance for both bat and ball, but chasing teams usually enjoy the edge thanks to consistent dew and scoreboard control.
England vs South Africa (ENG vs SA) 1st Match Key Players to Watch Out For
England (ENG)
Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell stands out as England’s key batter for the opener against South Africa. The left-hander impressed in the ODI series, scoring 169 runs in three innings at an average of 56.33, with a fifty and a century.
Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid, England’s veteran leg-spinner, could be the key bowler in the first T20I against South Africa. The team’s most experienced bowler, he topped the ODI series charts with eight wickets and will look to carry that form forward.
South Africa (SA)
Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram is struggling with the form currently but South Africa heavily relies on his shoulder. He will look to get back in form.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is always the key wicket taker for South Africa.
England vs South Africa Betting Odds
Vavada Betting lists England as favorites for the first T20I against South Africa, with odds of 1.53, while South Africa are at 2.33.
England vs South Africa Win Probability
Google’s win probability meter gives England has a 60% chance to win the 1st T20I, while South Africa’s chances stand at just 40%
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