SA vs ENG: Top 3 player battles to watch out for in Champions Trophy 2025

Group B fixtures in the Champions Trophy 2025 are set to end on Saturday. The final group match is between South Africa and England in what is set to be an entertaining affair. While the South Africans are odds on favourites to reach the final four stages, England are already out of the tournament. 

When the tournament began, Group B was touted as the most difficult and it has lived up to the billing. On paper, South Africa looked strong but their ODI series loss to Pakistan late last year cast aspersions over their chances. Temba Bavuma has been a great leader and the only game the Proteas played this campaign saw them win with ease. 

England, on the other hand, has lots of work to do in the ODI format. Jos Buttler is set to take charge as the captain for the last time, having stood down from his post on Friday. England can play fearless cricket and can finally put an end to their run of five successive losses in ODI cricket. 

Here are the top 3 player battles for SA vs ENG game in Match 11 of Champions Trophy 2025 

3: Keshav Maharaj vs Joe Root

South African spinner Keshav Maharaj has been constant when taking wickets. His ability to spin the ball in any condition makes him a dangerous bowler. Maharaj has been a natural match winner with the ball and has accounted for some huge names in the opposition. Joe Root scored a brilliant ton in the last match and was moved to tears after England lost the match. Root is one of the better players of spin in the England camp and can use both the conventional and reverse sweeps to good effect. 

2: Jofra Archer vs Ryan Rickelton 

Jofra Archer has been bowling with great speed and rhythm ever since his return to international cricket. The 29-year-old has found his old pace and also has gone back to his hostile methods with the ball. Ryan Rickelton, who has often been compared to Quinton De Kock, gave a good account for himself with a century in the first match of the campaign. Rickelton can score runs with ease against the pacers and his battle against Archer will be a mouth-watering one. 

1: Kagiso Rabada vs Ben Duckett

England opener Ben Duckett has already shown what he can do with the bat with his 165 against Australia earlier. Duckett has the game to play the pacers well and tends to score runs at rapid pace. Temba Bavuma might be tempted to give Rabada the new ball and put up him against Duckett in the first few overs. It will be a great clash to witness as two attacking cricketers get ready to take on each other.