Just two weeks ago, South Africa had suffered its biggest-ever defeat in ODI history when Australia thrashed them by 276 runs. But now, another embarrassing record has been added to their name. In the third ODI against England at Southampton, South Africa faced an even bigger humiliation.
England batted first and piled up a massive 414 runs. In reply, the entire South African team was bundled out for just 72 runs. This defeat by 342 runs is now the biggest loss by margin of runs in the 54-year history of ODI cricket. Previously, the record was held by Sri Lanka, who lost to India by 317 runs in 2023.
Biggest defeats in ODI cricket (by runs)
- England beat South Africa by 342 runs (Southampton, 7 September 2025)
- India beat Sri Lanka by 317 runs (Thiruvananthapuram, 15 January 2023)
- Australia beat Netherlands by 309 runs (Delhi, 25 October 2023)
- Zimbabwe beat USA by 304 runs (Harare, 26 June 2023)
- India beat Sri Lanka by 302 runs (Wankhede, 2 November 2023)
South Africa’s biggest ODI defeats (by runs)
- 342 runs vs England (7 September 2025)
- 276 runs vs Australia (24 August 2025)
- 243 runs vs India (5 November 2023)
- 182 runs vs Pakistan (11 December 2002)
- 180 runs vs Sri Lanka (20 July 2013)
South Africa’s lowest ODI totals
- 69 runs vs Australia (Sydney, 14 December 1993)
- 72 runs vs England (Southampton, 7 September 2025)
- 83 runs vs India (Eden Gardens, 5 November 2023)
- 83 runs vs England (Nottingham, 26 August 2008)
- 83 runs vs England (Manchester, 22 July 2022)
Match summary
In the third ODI, England opted to bat first and posted a massive 414/5. Joe Root and Jacob Bethell scored brilliant centuries, while Smith and Jos Buttler smashed quick fifties.
Chasing the huge target, South Africa’s batting collapsed right from the start. Jofra Archer destroyed the top order with 4 wickets, bundling out South Africa for just 72 runs. England won the match by a record 342 runs.