South Africa beat England by 14 runs (DLS) in the 1st T20I at Cardiff. Get the full scorecard, match highlights, squads, analysis, and key takeaways.
The first T20I between England and South Africa at Cardiff (10 September 2025) may have been shortened by persistent rain, but it didn’t lack excitement. In a nine-over shootout, South Africa’s explosive batting and sharp bowling handed them a 14-run win (DLS Method).
This result gave the Proteas an early lead in the three-match series, while England were left rueing a top-order collapse and missed opportunities.
Match Summary
- South Africa posted 97/5 in 7.5 overs before rain stopped play.
- England were set a DLS target of 69 runs in 5 overs, but only managed 53/5.
- Aiden Markram’s quick 28 (14) and late hitting from Brevis & Ferreira proved decisive.
- For England, Jos Buttler (21 off 10) was the only batter to show real fight.
Squads
England T20I Squad
Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton †, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler †, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood
(SABC Sport)
South Africa T20I Squad
Aiden Markram (capt), Keshav Maharaj, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Ryan Rickelton, Donovan Ferreira, Senuran Muthusamy, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams
(Cricket Times)
Scorecard
South Africa Innings (7.5 overs, 97/5)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram (c) | 28 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 200.0 |
| Reeza Hendricks | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120.0 |
| Dewald Brevis | 19 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 211.1 |
| Donovan Ferreira | 20 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 200.0 |
| Heinrich Klaasen † | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 166.6 |
| David Miller | 5* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.6 |
| Extras | 9 | ||||
| Total | 97/5 in 7.5 overs |
Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Hendricks), 2-41 (Markram), 3-65 (Brevis), 4-82 (Klaasen), 5-97 (Ferreira).
England Bowling:
Topley 2-20-1, Archer 2-26-1, Rashid 2-22-2, Curran 1-17-1, Moeen 0.5-12-0
England Innings (Target: 69 in 5 overs, finished 53/5)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Jos Buttler (c) † | 21 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 210.0 |
| Will Jacks | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.6 |
| Harry Brook | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.0 |
| Jacob Bethell | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.0 |
| Sam Curran | 12* | 6 | 0 | 1 | 200.0 |
| Moeen Ali | 2* | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 |
| Extras | 1 | ||||
| Total | 53/5 in 5 overs |
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Salt), 2-20 (Jacks), 3-34 (Brook), 4-42 (Bethell), 5-50 (Buttler).
South Africa Bowling:
Rabada 1-6-1, Nortje 1-11-0, Shamsi 1-12-1, Ngidi 1-10-1, Jansen 1-13-2
Key Performers
- Aiden Markram (SA): 28 off 14, led from the front.
- Donovan Ferreira (SA): 20 off 10, including 3 sixes, boosted total.
- Kagiso Rabada (SA): Dismissed Phil Salt first ball, shifting momentum.
- Jos Buttler (ENG): 21 off 10, lone fighter in England’s chase.
- Adil Rashid (ENG): 2/22 in 2 overs, kept England alive with key wickets.
Turning Points
- Salt’s golden duck – Rabada’s dismissal of Salt instantly rattled England.
- Late fireworks by Brevis & Ferreira – ensured SA crossed 95, giving DLS advantage.
- Buttler’s dismissal at 50/5 – ended England’s slim hopes.
Series Outlook
- South Africa (1-0 lead): Strong opening performance; depth in batting and bowling looks promising.
- England: Must regroup quickly—Brook’s leadership under scrutiny, middle-order needs stability, and Salt must deliver at the top.
Final Result
🏏 South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS Method).
