In unexpected fashion, South Africa had a change at the toss for their Champions Trophy 2025 group match against England at Karachi with Aiden Markram stepping in to captain the side instead of Temba Bavuma.
Bavuma, who led South Africa during their opening fixture against Afghanistan, did not walk out for the coin toss at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi for their last group fixture against England. Instead, vice-captain Markram filled in for him.
At the toss, Markram explained that Bavuma has been sidelined due to an illness and will not be a part of the fixture. Opener Tony de Zorzi is also out for the same reason, he confirmed.
"Yeah, just two guys, we have got some illness going around for us. Tony de Zorzi and Temba are the two guys who are there in the team hotel. Unfortunately, we don't have them playing today. If we do qualify for the semis, hopefully we have them back in our side," Markram said.
Heinrich Klaasen, who was rested for the opening encounter due to a soft tissue injury, has returned, slotting back in the middle order. De Zorzi, on the other hand, has been replaced by Tristan Stubbs at the top. Stubbs has never previously opened for South Africa.
🇿🇦 Captain Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have been ruled out of the match due to illness.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 1, 2025
🇿🇦 Aiden Markram will be the stand-in captain.#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #ChampionsTrophy #ENGvSA
Jos Buttler, playing his final match as England’s white-ball captain, announced a solitary change in the side after opting to bat first, bringing in Saqib Mahmood in place of Mark Wood.
After the Australia-Afghanistan fixture ended in a washout, South Africa are firm favourites to be in the semi-final line-up from Group B alongside Australia. Only a heavy defeat against England could stop them from advancing to the playoffs.
South Africa playing XI vs England:
Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
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