One of the most exciting matches, full of great cricket and good sportsmanship, was the recent England versus South Africa champions match at Grace Road, Leicester, in the World Championship of Legends 2025. The game was in the favor of South Africa as AB de Villiers scored an amazing not out 100 to clinch the game with a whopping 10 wickets victory.
England Champions Vs South Africa Champions Match: Overview
On July 24, 2025 Champions match between England and South Africa at Grace Road, Leicester, South Africa turned in a robust performance. England scored 152 for 6 in 20 overs, falling short of South Africa’s target of 152. However, South Africa reached 153 after easily chasing down the goal in 12.2 overs without losing a wicket. With a scorching 116 off 51 balls, AB de Villiers was the headliner, but Hashim Amla was still in at 29. South Africa won by 10 wickets with exceptional bowling and batting performance and ABD was the man of the match. The win also ensured that South Africa remained the table toppers of the tournament.
Match | England Champions VS South Africa Champions |
Series | World Championships of Legends 2025 |
Date | July 24, 2025 (Thursday) |
Venue | Grace Road, Leicester |
Time | 4:30 PM Local |
Toss | South Africa Champions elected to Bowl |
Winner | South Africa Champions Won by 10 wickets |
Player of the Match | AB de Villiers (116*) |
England Champions Squad
Backed by a strong pace attack, the England Champions team combines a healthy mix of veteran batsmen, all-rounders, and wicketkeepers. The Morgan-led team includes more experienced batsmen like Ian Bell and Alastair Cook as well as talented all-rounders like Moeen Ali and Ravi Bopara. At home they are competitive because their bowling attack presents pace/swing options.
Below is the England Champions squad along with their role in the team-
Playing XI | Role |
Phil Mustard (WK) | Wicketkeeper/ Batter |
Ian Bell | Batter |
Eoin Morgan (C) | Batter |
Moeen Ali | Allrounder |
Ravi Bopara | Allrounder |
Tim Abrose | Wicketkeeper/ Batter |
Samit Patel | Allrounder |
Liam Plunkett | Bowler |
Ajmal Shahzad | Bowler |
Stuart Meaker | Bowler |
Dimitri Mascarenhas | Allrounder |
Benched Players | |
Sir Alaistair Cook | Batter |
Chris Tremlett | Bowler |
Ryan Sidebottom | Bowler |
James Vince | Batter |
Usman Afzaal | Allrounder |
South Africa Champions Team
A combination of explosive batsmen like AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, reliable wicketkeeping choices, and a potent bowling unit led by pace bowlers like Wayne Parnell and sharp spinners like Imran Tahir make up the South Africa Champions’ all-star lineup. The team is a strong contender in the tournament because of its depth in both bowling and batting and its strong all-rounder options.
Below is the South Africa Champions squad along with their role in the team-
Playing XI | Role |
Jacques Rudolph | Batter |
Sarel Erwee | Batter |
AB de Villiers (C) | Wicketkeeper/ Batter |
Jean-Paul Duminy | Allrounder |
JJ Smuts | Allrounder |
Morne van Wyk (WK) | Wicketkeeper/ Batter |
Wayne Parnell | Bowler |
Chris Morris | Allrounder |
Hardus Viljoen | Bowler |
Duanne Olivier | Bowler |
Imran Tahir | Bowler |
Benched Players | |
Hashim Amla | Batter |
Aaron Phangiso | Bowler |
Richard Levi | Batter |
Henry Davidas | Batter |
England Champions Vs South Africa Champions Match Scorecard
England Champions Batting (1st Innings)
In their entire 20 overs, the England champions scored 152 runs at a cost of six wickets. With 39 runs off 33 balls, Phil Mustard led the field, followed by Eoin Morgan (20 runs) and Samit Patel (24 runs). Although the batting had some strong starts, there were no significant partnerships. Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir took crucial wickets as their bowlers struggled to hold South Africa in check.
Batting | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
Phil Mustard | c Erwee b Olivier | 39 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 118.18 |
Ravi Bopara | c Rudolph b Parnell | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 116.66 |
Moeen Ali | c Duminy b Imran Tahir | 10 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 90.9 |
Samit Patel | b Parnell | 24 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 150 |
Eoin Morgan (c) | b Imran Tahir | 20 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 142.85 |
Ian Bell | c van Wyk b Morris | 7 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 77.77 |
Tim Ambrose | not out | 19 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 118.75 |
Liam Plunkett | not out | 13 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 86.66 |
Fall of Wickets
Score | Fall of wickets | Over |
1-11 | Ravi Bopara | 1.3 |
2-34 | Moeen Ali | 4.2 |
3-81 | Samit Patel | 9.4 |
4-95 | Phil Mustard | 11.4 |
5-114 | Eoin Morgan | 14.4 |
6-121 | Ian Bell | 15.4 |
South Africa Bowling (1st Innings)
Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | WD | NB |
Hardus Viljoen | 4 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 4.75 | 3 | 0 |
Wayne Parnell | 4 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Duanne Olivier | 4 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 | 1 | 0 |
Imran Tahir | 4 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 4.25 | 0 | 0 |
Chris Morris | 3 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 10.66 | 1 | 0 |
Jean-Paul Duminy | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
South Africa Champions Battings (2nd Innings)
In just 12.2 overs, South Africa managed to chase down the target of 153 runs without losing a single wicket. Hashim Amla stayed undefeated at 29 runs, while AB de Villiers spearheaded the attack with a brilliant unbeaten 116 off 51 balls. During the decisive and victorious chase, South Africa‘s clinical efficiency and formidable batting lineup were clearly on display.
Batting | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
Hashim Amla | not out | 29 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 116 |
AB de Villiers (c) | not out | 116 | 51 | 15 | 7 | 227.45 |
England Bowling Stats (2nd Innings)
Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | WD | NB |
Ajmal Shahzad | 3.2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 9.3 | 3 | 0 |
Stuart Meaker | 3 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 12.33 | 1 | 1 |
Liam Plunkett | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 17.5 | 0 | 1 |
Samit Patel | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Ravi Bopara | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Dimitri Mascarenhas | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
Result and Player of the Match
South Africa Champions won over the England champions by 10 wickets with 46 balls to spare . England scored 152 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs. South Africa then responded by finishing on 153 in 12.2 overs, without losing a wicket. Batting at an astonishing pace of 116 runs in 51 deliveries, AB de Villiers was surely the “Player of the Match” and deservedly so for his splendid century that guided South Africa to a comfortable victory.
Winner- South Africa Champions
Won By- 10 Wickets
Player of the Match- AB de Villiers (116*)
England Champions Team’s Key Performances
- With 39 runs, Phil Mustard led England in scoring and offered some resistance throughout their innings.
- Samit Patel contributed as an all-rounder and played a crucial supporting knock of 24 runs.
South Africa Champions Team’s Key Performances
- AB de Villiers: Won Player of the Match after leading South Africa to a 10-wicket victory with an undefeated 116 off 51 balls that included 15 fours and seven sixes.
- Imran Tahir: Dismantled crucial partnerships by bowling economically and taking two significant wickets.
- Wayne Parnell: Maintained pressure with his bowling and took two important wickets.
Key Highlights
- Without losing a single wicket, South Africa chased 153 runs in just 12.2 overs.
- Eoin Morgan dismissed AB de Villiers early on, but he took advantage of the opportunity to play a dominant innings.
- Although they had moments of resiliency, England was unable to form solid alliances.
- South Africa’s bowling attack was excellent; it managed the run rate and took wickets when it mattered most.
- With six points from three games, the South African champions won their third straight game and took the lead in the standings.
What Happened Next?
England Champions
The England Champions’ next game was against the India Champions on July 27, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds, following their defeat to the South African Champions on July 24, 2025. They won the game by 23 runs after a strong comeback. Nevertheless, England had a difficult tournament overall, losing to the West Indies champions and playing Australia’s champions without winning earlier in the series. In the remaining World Championship of Legends 2025 matches, England sought to increase their performance and consistency.
South Africa Champions
Following their dominant win against England Champions, South Africa Champions next faced Pakistan Champions on July 26, 2025, at Grace Road, Leicester. But South Africa lost by 31 runs to Pakistan. In the games that followed, they maintained their excellent play, defeating Australia Champions by 95 runs at Headingley, Leeds, on July 29, 2025. Due to their strong all-around team and consistent performances throughout the tournament, South Africa was viewed as the title favourites and maintained their top spot on the points table.
Conclusion
At the end of the World Championship of Legends 2025, South Africa’s champions defeated the England champions by 10 wickets thanks to a clinical display. Because of his incredible, undefeated 116 runs from 51 balls, AB de Villiers was named man of the match. Despite some strong knocks from Phil Mustard and Samit Patel, England was unable to mount a serious challenge as South Africa’s victory solidified their lead in the points table.
This match was the ideal illustration of a batting maestro’s dominance and the value of a cohesive team effort in limited overs cricket. Fans can anticipate the next thrilling match in this illustrious cricket series between the champions of South Africa and Pakistan.
FAQs
The match was played on July 24, 2025, at Grace Road, Leicester.
South Africa Champions won by 10 wickets, chasing the target of 153 runs without losing any wickets.
AB de Villiers was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 116 runs off 51 balls.
It followed a round-robin T20 format where each team plays the others once, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.
England Champions were captained by Eoin Morgan, and South Africa Champions by AB de Villiers.
Refresh Date: September 18, 2025