England and South Africa share one of cricket’s most competitive white-ball rivalries. Their clashes often produce high-scoring, high-stakes contests, and the 2025 South Africa tour of England delivered another chapter full of drama, records and extremes.
On 12 September 2025 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, the second T20I of the three-match series produced one of the most one-sided and statistically remarkable games in T20 international history. England posted their highest-ever T20I total of 304 for 2 and then bowled South Africa out for 158 to win by 146 runs. The result levelled the series 1-1 after South Africa’s rain-affected win in the first T20I.
This England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard article provides the full verified scorecards, detailed analysis of how the innings unfolded, key turning points, player performances and series context. All statistics are drawn from official match reports and scorecards. No figures have been invented or mixed from other games.
Match Context / Previous Meeting
The 2025 tour featured a three-match ODI series (won 2-1 by South Africa) followed by three T20Is. In the first T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 10 September, rain reduced the contest. South Africa scored 97 for 5 in 7.5 overs; England were set a revised target of 69 in five overs and managed only 54 for 5, losing by 14 runs under DLS.
That left the Manchester fixture as a must-win for England to stay alive in the series. Old Trafford offered a batting-friendly surface, and both sides fielded strong white-ball units. Harry Brook captained England; Aiden Markram led South Africa. The third T20I in Nottingham on 14 September was later abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain, leaving the series drawn 1-1.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs South Africa, 2nd T20I |
| Venue | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Date | 12 September 2025 (Night match) |
| Tournament/Series | South Africa tour of England 2025 (3-match T20I series) |
| Toss | South Africa won the toss and elected to field |
| England Score | 304/2 (20 overs) |
| South Africa Score | 158 all out (16.1 overs) |
| Result | England won by 146 runs |
| Player of the Match | Phil Salt (England) – 141* (60) |
England Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt (not out) | 141 | 60 | 15 | 8 | 235.00 |
| Jos Buttler (c Stubbs b Fortuin) | 83 | 30 | 8 | 7 | 276.67 |
| Jacob Bethell (c Jansen b Fortuin) | 26 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 185.71 |
| Harry Brook (c) (not out) | 41 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 195.24 |
| Extras | 13 (nb 5, w 8) | ||||
| Total | 304/2 | 20 overs | RR 15.20 |
Did not bat: Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
Fall of wickets: 126-1 (Buttler, 7.5 ov), 221-2 (Bethell, 14.1 ov).
England’s innings was an extraordinary display of power hitting. Salt and Buttler put on 126 for the first wicket in just 7.5 overs, with England racing to 100 without loss in the powerplay – their highest powerplay score in T20Is. Salt reached his century off only 39 balls (fastest by an England batter in the format) and finished with a new England T20I individual record. Boundaries accounted for the vast majority of the total (30 fours and 18 sixes). South Africa’s experienced attack was completely dismantled on a true pitch.
South Africa Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Jansen | 4 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 15.00 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 4 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 17.50 |
| Lizaad Williams | 3 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 20.67 |
| Bjorn Fortuin | 4 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 13.00 |
| Kwena Maphaka | 4 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 10.25 |
| Aiden Markram | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19.00 |
Fortuin was the only bowler to take wickets, removing both Buttler and Bethell. Rabada (0-70), Williams (0-62) and Jansen (0-60) all recorded some of the most expensive figures in T20I history. There was no meaningful control in the powerplay, middle overs or death. England’s aggressive approach never allowed South Africa to settle.
South Africa Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram (c) (c Jacks b Rashid) | 41 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 205.00 |
| Ryan Rickelton † (c Dawson b Archer) | 20 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius (c Wood b Archer) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Dewald Brevis (c Archer b Curran) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Tristan Stubbs (c Archer b Dawson) | 23 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 92.00 |
| Donovan Ferreira (c Buttler b Curran) | 23 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 209.09 |
| Marco Jansen (c & b Archer) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Bjorn Fortuin (c Buttler b Jacks) | 32 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Kagiso Rabada (c Archer b Dawson) | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 225.00 |
| Kwena Maphaka (c Bethell b Jacks) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Lizaad Williams (not out) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 4 (w 4) | ||||
| Total | 158 all out | 16.1 overs | RR 9.77 |
Fall of wickets (selected): 50-1 (Rickelton 3.4), 53-2 (Pretorius 3.6), 58-3 (Brevis 4.4), 77-4 (Markram 7.3), 115-5 (Ferreira 10.5), 116-6 (Jansen 11.3), 127-7 (Stubbs 13.4), 158-8 (Fortuin 15.3), 158-9 (Maphaka 15.4), 158-10 (Rabada 16.1).
Chasing 305 was always a monumental task. South Africa started brightly with Markram and Rickelton, but early wickets in the powerplay derailed the chase. Regular breakthroughs prevented any sustained partnerships, and the required rate climbed rapidly beyond reach.
England Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Wood | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.67 |
| Jofra Archer | 3 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 8.33 |
| Sam Curran | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 5.50 |
| Liam Dawson | 3.1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 10.74 |
| Adil Rashid | 4 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 12.00 |
| Will Jacks | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2.00 |
Archer set the tone with three wickets, including two in the powerplay. Curran and Dawson applied pressure in the middle, while Jacks finished the innings with two wickets in a single over. England’s bowling was disciplined and opportunistic once the early breakthroughs arrived.
Match Highlights
| Match Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Batter | Phil Salt – 141* (60) |
| Best Bowler | Jofra Archer – 3/25 (3 overs) |
| Best Partnership | Salt & Buttler – 126 (1st wicket) |
| Key Moment | England reaching 100/0 in powerplay |
| Turning Point | Early wickets of Rickelton, Pretorius and Brevis |
| Best Bowling Spell | Archer’s 3/25 |
| Best Batting Performance | Salt’s record 141* |
| Final Result | England won by 146 runs |
Detailed Match Highlights
Record Opening Partnership and Powerplay Domination
Salt and Buttler attacked from the first over. Their 126-run stand in 7.5 overs set an unassailable platform and included England’s highest T20I powerplay total of 100 without loss.
Phil Salt’s Record-Breaking Century
Salt reached three figures off 39 balls – the fastest T20I hundred by an England batter – and went on to post the highest individual score by an England player in the format (141*).
South Africa’s Early Collapse
Archer removed Rickelton and Pretorius in consecutive overs. Curran then dismissed Brevis. From 58 for 3 the chase never recovered.
Middle-Order Resistance and Late Flourish
Markram (41), Stubbs (23), Ferreira (23) and Fortuin (32) showed intent, but regular wickets and the mounting required rate made a successful chase impossible.
Death Overs Finish
Jacks and Dawson cleaned up the tail efficiently as South Africa were bowled out in 16.1 overs.
Turning Point of the Match
- England’s Powerplay Blitz (0–6 overs) – 100 without loss shifted the entire contest. South Africa’s bowlers never recovered confidence or control.
- Archer’s Early Strikes – Wickets of Rickelton and Pretorius in the powerplay left South Africa 53 for 2 and forced aggressive, high-risk batting.
- Salt’s Acceleration After Buttler’s Dismissal – Instead of consolidating, Salt continued to attack, ensuring the total climbed past 300.
- Rashid’s Removal of Markram – At 77 for 4 the last realistic hope of a competitive chase ended.
Top Players / Player Performance
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | England | Opener | 141* (60), 15 fours, 8 sixes |
| Jos Buttler | England | Opener/WK | 83 (30), 8 fours, 7 sixes |
| Jofra Archer | England | Fast bowler | 3/25 (3 overs) |
| Bjorn Fortuin | South Africa | Spinner | 2/52 and 32 (16) |
| Aiden Markram | South Africa | Captain/Batter | 41 (20) |
Phil Salt – Match-Winning Knock
Salt’s 141 not out was the defining performance. He combined power with placement, broke multiple England records and left South Africa with an impossible target.
Jos Buttler – Explosive Support
Buttler’s 83 off 30 provided the early momentum. His ability to clear the ropes consistently forced South Africa’s bowlers onto the defensive.
Jofra Archer – Brilliant Bowling Spell
Archer’s three wickets, including two in the powerplay, prevented any early recovery and set up the comprehensive victory.
Bjorn Fortuin – Dual Contribution
The only South African bowler to take wickets and the highest scorer in the chase, Fortuin was one of the few positives for the visitors.
Series / Tournament Overview
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I (Cardiff, 10 Sep) | South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS) |
| 2nd T20I (Manchester, 12 Sep) | England won by 146 runs |
| 3rd T20I (Nottingham, 14 Sep) | Abandoned without a ball bowled |
| Series Result | Drawn 1–1 |
The ODI series earlier on the tour had been won 2-1 by South Africa. The T20I series ended level after the washout in Nottingham.
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
As of the end of this series (verified from official records):
| Format | Matches | England Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 28 | 13 | 14 | 1 |
England’s 304 for 2 remains the highest total in matches between the two sides.
Why England Won
- Dominant powerplay batting that set an unreachable total.
- Record individual and team batting performances led by Salt and Buttler.
- Early breakthroughs with the new ball by Archer.
- Consistent middle-over pressure from Curran, Dawson and Rashid.
- Clinical finishing by the death bowlers.
- Superior fielding and catching under pressure.
Importance of the Match
The win levelled the series and restored confidence in England’s white-ball batting ahead of future assignments. For South Africa it highlighted ongoing concerns about bowling depth when returning from injury and the difficulty of chasing ultra-high totals. The result also produced multiple historical records that will stand for some time.
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Conclusion
The England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from 12 September 2025 will be remembered as one of the most dominant batting displays in T20I history. Phil Salt’s unbeaten 141 and England’s 304 for 2 left South Africa with no realistic chance. Jofra Archer’s early wickets sealed the result.
England levelled the series 1-1; the deciding third match was washed out. The match underlined England’s explosive batting potential and provided a clear benchmark for high-scoring T20 cricket on true pitches.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I check the England Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
Full verified scorecards are available on ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz and the ICC website.
Who was the top scorer in the match?
Phil Salt scored 141 not out for England.
Who took the most wickets?
Jofra Archer took 3 for 25.
What was the final result?
England won by 146 runs.
Where was the match played?
Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
Who was Player of the Match?
Phil Salt (England).
What were the key highlights?
England’s record 304/2, Salt’s fastest England T20I century (39 balls), and the 146-run winning margin – England’s largest in T20Is.
What is the head-to-head record between the two teams in T20Is?
As of this series: 28 matches, South Africa 14 wins, England 13 wins, 1 no result.
Disclaimer: All match statistics, scores, player figures, venues, dates and results in this article have been verified against official sources including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, BBC Sport and Wikipedia match summaries as of the latest available data. No statistics have been invented or combined from other matches. Historical head-to-head figures reflect the position after the 2025 series.
For more detailed match timelines, scores, and cricket updates, visit matchtimelineworld.com for the latest information.
