NEW DELHI: South Africa has often been labeled as "chokers" for faltering in ICC finals or crucial matches, despite consistently fielding teams full of star players. However, captain Temba Bavuma is on a mission to rewrite history. First, South Africa ended their 27-year wait for an ICC title by winning the ICC World Test Championship, and now they have achieved a historic ODI series victory on English soil.
South Africa eked out a narrow five-run victory over England in the second ODI at Lord's on Thursday, sealing their first bilateral ODI series win in England since 1998 - a year when even player of the match Matthew Breetzke was not yet born.
South Africa's last ODI series in England came when they defeated Adam Hollioake's team 2-1. Since then, they had lost four ODI series to England in 2008, 2012, 2017, and 2022 before their recent triumph.
A look at the series history between the two teams in England shows mixed results: South Africa lost the Texaco Trophy in 1994, won it in 1998, lost the 2008 NatWest Series, drew in 2012, lost again in 2017, drew in 2022, and now lead the 2025 series.
Under Bavuma's leadership, the Proteas secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, thanks in part to Breetzke's brilliant 85, which helped South Africa post 330 runs.
The Lord's encounter set a new ODI record with a combined total of 655 runs. Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs put together a vital 147-run partnership off 126 balls, propelling South Africa to 330 for 8 in their 50 overs.
England faced a daunting target, aiming to surpass India's 326-8 from 2002, which still stands as the highest successful chase at Lord's. Despite a determined effort, they fell short against South Africa's disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Nandre Burger's 3/63 and Keshav Maharaj's 2/59.
