NEW DELHI: England crushed South Africa by a record 342 runs on Sunday, registering the largest-ever victory margin in one-day international cricket.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer starred with four wickets as the visitors salvaged pride in the third and final ODI, preventing South Africa from completing a clean sweep of the series.

Put in to bat at Southampton's Rose Bowl, England piled up 414/5 in 50 overs, powered by centuries from Joe Root (100) and 21-year-old Jacob Bethell (110). Captain Jos Buttler provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 62 off just 32 balls, while opener Jamie Smith contributed a brisk 62 from 48 deliveries.

Biggest victory margins in ODIs

342 runs - ENG vs SA, Southampton, 2025
317 runs - IND vs SL, Thiruvananthapuram, 2023
309 runs - AUS vs NED, Delhi, 2023
304 runs - ZIM vs USA, Harare, 2023
302 runs - IND vs SL, Mumbai WS, 2023

Chasing the mammoth target, South Africa crumbled to 72 all out in 20.5 overs, slipping to 24-6 early in the innings. Skipper Temba Bavuma, injured while fielding, did not come out to bat.

Archer ripped through the South African batting order, taking four wickets for just five runs in his opening spell and finishing with outstanding figures of 4-18 from nine overs.

The result rewrote the record books, surpassing India's 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023 to become the largest victory margin by runs in ODI history. While several teams have won by the maximum margin of 10 wickets, this now stands as the most dominant win by runs.

Despite the emphatic result, South Africa had already sealed the series 2-1, clinching it with a narrow five-run victory in the second ODI after England had been bundled out for 131 in a seven-wicket loss in the opener at Headingley.

The two sides will now switch focus to a three-match T20I series, beginning in Cardiff on Wednesday.