The final ODI of the series takes place at Southampton with South Africa leading 2-0. After their thrilling 5-run victory at Lord’s, South Africa is looking to complete a clean sweep. England will be desperate to avoid a whitewash and salvage some pride in the series finale.
The second ODI was a tight match, with England scoring 325 runs but still falling short of South Africa’s 330. This sets up an exciting final match where both teams will look to end the series on a high note.
England vs South Africa 3rd ODI Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | South Africa tour of England 2025 (3rd ODI) |
| Date | Sunday, September 7, 2025 |
| Time | 11:00 AM Local |
| Venue | The Rose Bowl, Southampton |
Recent Form Analysis
England
| Match | Opposition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd ODI vs South Africa | South Africa | Lost | 325/9 (5 runs) |
| 1st ODI vs South Africa | South Africa | Lost | 131 all out |
| 3rd ODI vs West Indies | West Indies | Won | 7 wickets |
| 2nd ODI vs West Indies | West Indies | Won | 3 wickets |
| 1st ODI vs West Indies | West Indies | Won | 238 runs |
South Africa
| Match | Opposition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd ODI vs England | England | Won | 330/8 (5 runs) |
| 1st ODI vs England | England | Won | 137/3 (7 wickets) |
| 3rd ODI vs Australia | Australia | Lost | 276 runs |
| 2nd ODI vs Australia | Australia | Won | 84 runs |
| 1st ODI vs Australia | Australia | Won | 98 runs |
England showed much better fight in the second match but still couldn’t get over the line. South Africa has been consistent throughout, winning matches with different approaches.
Head-to-Head Record England vs SA (Last 5 ODI Meetings)
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2025 | Lord’s | South Africa won by 5 runs |
| Sep 2, 2025 | Headingley | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| Mar 1, 2025 | Karachi | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| Oct 21, 2023 | Mumbai | South Africa won by 229 runs |
| Jan 29, 2023 | Bloemfontein | South Africa won by 5 wickets |
South Africa now leads 5-0 in recent encounters and will be confident of completing another series victory against England.
Pitch Analysis and Predicted Score
The Rose Bowl in Southampton typically offers a good balance between bat and ball. The pitch usually helps batsmen once they get set, but bowlers can find help early on with the new ball, especially considering the grass on the pitch.
The second ODI showed that big scores are possible, with both teams scoring over 300 runs. This suggests Southampton might offer similar batting conditions.
- Toss Factor: Teams might prefer to bat first and put runs on the board, especially if the weather looks uncertain.
- Predicted Score Range: 280-320 runs
Players to Watch
England
 |  |  |
| Joe Root | Jos Buttler | Jofra Archer |
- Joe Root: Scored 61 in the second match and looked in good touch. His experience will be key for England to post a big total.
- Jos Buttler: The keeper-batsman scored 61 and showed he can still be dangerous
- Jofra Archer: Took 4 wickets in the second match and was England’s best bowler.
South Africa
 |  |  |
| Matthew Breetzke | Tristan Stubbs | Keshav Maharaj |
- Matthew Breetzke: Has been in amazing form with 85 runs in the second match. He’s become one of their most reliable batsmen.
- Tristan Stubbs: Finally got some runs with 58 in the second ODI. His return to form gives South Africa more depth.
- Keshav Maharaj: The spinner has been key in both matches.
Who Will Win 3rd ODI Between Eng vs SA
While South Africa has already won the series and shown superior consistency, there are several factors that could favor England in this final match. Dead rubber matches often see upsets as pressure is reduced and teams try new things. Also, SA is known to manage the workload of their key squad members if they lose/win a series early.
England’s batting looked much improved in the second ODI, scoring 325 runs and showing they can compete. The narrow 5-run defeat would have given them confidence that they’re close to getting it right.
Southampton conditions might suit England better, and with nothing to lose, they could play with more freedom. South Africa might also rest some key players or lose focus after already winning the series.
- Prediction: England to win by 15-20 runs
England should finally get their breakthrough in the series. The pressure is off; their batting showed real improvement at Lord’s, and South Africa might be less intense knowing the series is already won. This could be the perfect opportunity for England to end the series on a positive note.