South Africa Leading the Series, Can England Save Pride in the Last ODI?

England vs South Africa 3rd ODI is set to unfold at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on September 7, 2025, with South Africa firmly in control of the series. After two convincing wins—by 7 wickets in the opener and a tight five-run victory at Lord’s—England face a final test: can they fight for pride and avoid a clean sweep?

Series Snapshot So Far

South Africa struck at the very beginning of the series. They took down the total of England in the 1st ODI at Headingley with 175 balls remaining to secure a comfortable win by 7 wickets. In the 2nd ODI at Lords, they posted a competitive 330/8 with Matthew Breetzke leading the way with 85 and supported by Aiden Markram (49) and Tristan Stubbs (58). England made a gallant pursuit, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell all recorded half-centuries, but still came too late, closing on 325/9 and leaving South Africa with a 2-0 series lead.

Key Players to Watch in Southampton

Experts are eyeing a few match-shapers for the final ODI:

• Matthew Breetzke (SA): The breakout star, now the first-ever player to score fifty-plus in his first five ODIs, brings tremendous confidence into this match.
   
• Keshav Maharaj (SA): A sharp spinner who has been consistent, threatening England’s middle order.
   
• Joe Root (ENG) & Ben Duckett (ENG): England’s reliable batsmen—Root with a strong average of 73.33 in ten matches, Duckett averaging 46.30.
   
• Adil Rashid (ENG) & Jofra Archer (ENG): Among England’s most successful bowlers in this series, both offering flight and pace, respectively.

What’s at Stake?

With the series already secured by South Africa, the 3rd ODI becomes less about the result and more about pride. England will want to bounce back and salvage respect in front of their home fans, while the Proteas could aim for a dominant performance and momentum heading into the T20 leg.

Stuart Broad didn’t mince words: after an uninspiring showing, he questioned England’s energy and clarity in their approach—“What’s the gameplan?” he asked. Meanwhile, analysts point to fatigue, overworked line-ups, and a lack of balance between batting and bowling as deeper issues for England.

Match Preview Outline

Factor	England	South Africa
Batting Strength	Root, Duckett's recent form	Breetzke, Markram, and Stubbs are in great form
Bowling Options	Rashid & Archer are leading a weak attack	Maharaj and Ngidi pose a threat
Momentum	On the back of 2 losses	Riding high after a series win
Motivation	Pride, momentum, preparation	Series win in pocket, dominance focus

Final Thoughts

Even in a "dead rubber," cricket offers surprises. If England can draw on experience and home support, we might witness a spirited turnaround. On the other hand, South Africa could use this one to reinforce their superiority and feed their confidence further.

Will England stand tall and save some dignity on home turf—or will South Africa deliver the knockout blow and a flawless series finish? Either way, fans are up for a gripping final ODI.