Captain Temba Bavuma hailed what he termed South Africa’s brave decision to bat first in their comprehensive 107-run Champions Trophy win over Afghanistan on Friday as they mastered a Karachi wicket that had left both teams unsure over how it would play.

South Africa’s batters will relish the placid wickets at the Champions Trophy venues but need their bowlers to be more disciplined after two chastening defeats in their recent Tri-Series fixtures in Pakistan,

Captain Temba Bavuma previews South Africa's Champions Trophy campaign on the eve of the Afghanistan game

Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi couldn't play in the match against England due to illness. Saqib Mahmood has replaced Mark Wood in the English playing XI.

The 11th match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between South Africa and England got underway in Karachi on Saturday, March 1.

Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have been rested for South Africa's match against England at the National Stadium Karachi. In Bavuma's absence, Aiden Markram is leading the side in Group B's final league game.

England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa in their third league match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Klaasen, who missed the match against Afghanistan due to an elbow injury, has returned for South Africa's final group game. On the other side of the pitch, England has brought in fast bowler Saqib Mahmood into their playing XI, replacing Mark Wood who had knee issues in the match against Afghanistan.

In his final game as captain, Jos Buttler won the toss and England decided to bat against South Africa at the Champions Trophy. England is already out of the tournament with two straight defeats — it lost to Australia by five wickets and to Afghanistan by eight runs.

Temba Bavuma has grown as a leader off late, taking SA to the knockouts in two ODI tournaments and also the finals of the World Test Championship.

South Africa's semifinal hopes in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been prolonged after Australia's match against Afghanistan got washed out. England, already out, will aim to wrap their campaign positively.