Andy Schooler landed two winners from three bets in England’s previous Champions Trophy 2025 game – check out what he’s backing when they face South Africa on Saturday.
Champions Trophy 2025: ENG v SA Expert Tips
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Date/Time: Saturday March 1, 0900 GMT
Champions Trophy 2025: Sky Sports Cricket
Given I’m writing this preview prior to Friday’s Afghanistan v Australia game in the same group, it’s fair to say there are a lots of ifs and buts going on here. What we know for sure is that England are already out of semi-final contention. Meanwhile, an Australia win on Friday (and they are 1.25 favourites) would ensure South Africa are already through to the last four by the time the toss takes place in Karachi.
What will still be at stake, however, is top spot in the group – and you’d expect South Africa would want to nail that down with tournament favourites India 1.37 to beat New Zealand on Sunday, a result which would see them top their pool and face the runner-up in this one in the semis. Hopefully that clarifies things, although whether it makes betting easier, is open to question.
For me, South Africa have to be the bet here at 1.7. It’s been a miserable few weeks for England, who have now lost six one-day internationals in a row and 12 of 16 since the 2023 World Cup. Another defeat here would equal their second-worst run in the format. Team changes look likely given there’s nothing really riding on this.
Champions Trophy 2025: England Exit
Captain Jos Buttler, who now looks a dead-man walking, admitted after Wednesday’s loss to Afghanistan that confidence was absent right now. “I think a confident team would’ve romped home tonight,” he said after the eight-run loss. A telling statement.
In contrast, South African tails will be up. Following a period in which they’ve struggled to put out their strongest side, they started this tournament by crushing the Afghans before their clash with the Aussies was washed out. They’ve had the advantage of playing in Karachi already – they were also here during the Tri-Series warm-up event – while England arrive on the south coast after two games up north in Lahore.
Champions Trophy 2025: Saffer Sixes
They have arguably the most destructive of batting line-ups with Heinrich Klaasen set to return to the team and bolster a middle order which also includes Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram and David Miller. There’s plenty of six-hitting ability in there and while it might not be a road-like at Lahore, this is still a decent batting wicket with both games so far seeing 315+ scored in the first innings.
I like South Africa in the most-sixes market. It’s one they’ve won in both of those recent games in Karachi, while England have lost it in both of their matches at this tournament, going down 12-3 on this count to the Afghans the other day. An inability to keep the strike-rate down has been England’s big frailty of late and that can be reflected in this market.
Champions Trophy 2025: Awesome Ahmed
Finally, for a bigger price, let’s try Rehan Ahmed in the England top-bowler market. While Brydon Carse’s injury replacement isn’t guaranteed to make the XI, the leg spinner looks exactly the sort of player who could come in as England begin to look to the future – Adil Rashid won’t go on forever and a second spin option has long been needed.
Notably, Ahmed has done well in this market in his previous opportunities. He’s got a 40% win rate in this market in ODIs, having won it in two of his five matches in which England have bowled. In T20Is, it’s at a still-impressive 33%. Odds of 4.7 here look worth taking – it’s money back if he doesn’t play.
Champions Trophy 2025: England v South Africa Best Bets
South Africa to win @ 1.7 with kwiff
South Africa Most Sixes @ 1.85 with kwiff
Ahmed Top ENG Bowler @ 4.7 with kwiff
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