South Africa vs England Cricket World Cup tips:
South Africa to win
South Africa to have highest score after 15 overs
Buttler to be England’s top run-scorer
De Kock to be dismissed by Root or Livingstone
Rabada to be South Africa’s top wicket-taker
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
England Vs South Africa
ICC World Cup – Mumbai
TV – 9:30AM – Sky Sports Cricket
South Africa to win
South Africa have the edge in recent meetings between the two sides. Since the last World Cup they have won four out of seven ODI clashes, including a 2-1 series win over England in February. England did defeat South Africa at this venue in the 2016 T20 World Cup, memorably chasing down 230 with two balls to spare, but South Africa will be confident they can continue their 50-Over form over England. South Africa to win.
South Africa to have highest score after 15 overs
England’s batters haven’t been their usual attacking selves so far at this World Cup. Against Afghanistan they played an attacking shot to just 54% of deliveries, and this was 53% in the defeat to New Zealand. This is well below their average of 60% in ODIs in 2023. England are taking a conservative approach, whether deliberately or because they are being pinned down. Either way, South Africa to have the highest score after 15 overs is a good bet.
Buttler to be England’s top run-scorer
Despite losing their ODI series in South Africa earlier this year, England still had some standout performers with the bat. Jos Buttler hit 261 runs in three innings at an average of 130 to further enhance his strong record against South Africa. Across 14 ODI innings he averages 49 and strikes at 112. The England captain will be desperate to score big at the World Cup having not quite fired yet, but his history against South Africa bodes well. Buttler to be England’s top run-scorer.
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De Kock to be dismissed by Root or Livingstone
Quinton de Kock is one of South Africa’s main batting threats but he does have a weakness against off-spin. He was faced with off-spin from both ends at the start of his innings against the Netherlands, an aggressive move but one that did pay off when he was dismissed relatively early by Colin Ackermann. The theory is not unfounded, as De Kock has now got out five times to off-spin inside the powerplay since the 2019 World Cup, averaging just 17 against the bowling type in that time. England will know this and may look to utilise Joe Root or Liam Livingstone against him early on. De Kock to be dismissed by Root or Livingstone is worth a look.
Rabada to be South Africa’s top wicket-taker
Kagiso Rabada likes playing against England. He has taken 20 wickets in nine matches at 22.15 but it is his records against individual batsmen that marks him out as a danger. Buttler averages only 7.66 against Rabada and has been dismissed by him three times in 32 deliveries faced. Rabada has got Ben Stokes out twice in 38 balls while Jonny Bairstow has only been able to score at 4.33 runs per over against the South African quick. Rabada is a likely candidate to be South Africa’s top wicket- taker.
South Africa vs England Cricket World Cup tips:
South Africa to win
South Africa to have highest score after 15 overs
Buttler to be England’s top run-scorer
De Kock to be dismissed by Root or Livingstone
Rabada to be South Africa’s top wicket-taker
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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