World Cup 2023, Match 20 | South Africa Predicted XI vs England

image-lnzllntkSouth Africa will be playing against England in the 20th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

In the 2023 World Cup encounter, two sides that were recently the victim of an upset are going to square off against one another. On Saturday, South Africa and England will square off in the second game of a doubleheader at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. This will also be the inaugural match in the iconic stadium that hosted the thrilling World Cup final in 2011.

England haven't fared effectively at all in the tournament thus far. The New Zealand team, devoid of Tim Southee and Kane Williamson, thoroughly humiliated them in the opening match of the campaign. In their subsequent assignment, they triumphed over Bangladesh, but in their most recent meeting, they were unable to maintain their momentum against Afghanistan.

For more such reads, click here.

On the other hand, up until their match against the Netherlands, South Africa was performing like the tournament favourites. But they were trounced by a brave side that defeated them in the T20 World Cup 2022. The side that just a week ago broke the record for the highest-ever World Cup total found it difficult to chase 245 runs against the Dutch.

Can the Proteas bounce back in the same form once again? Let us have a look at their predicted XI against England.


Openers: Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock

South African openers- Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock have been in unreal form in the extended white ball format of late. Although Bavuma is yet to blast off in full potential in the World Cup, he was in sublime touch just ahead of the bonanza event. His partner, de Kock has piled up two consecutive centuries at the start of the mega-event against Sri Lanka and Australia. He seems to be enjoying his last dance in this format quite well at the moment.


Middle-Order: Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller

The South African middle order is one of their top strengths. Rassie van der Dussen scored a century against Sri Lanka where they recorded the highest-ever total in World Cup. He's followed by Aiden Markram at no. 4. But Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller are the dynamic swashbucklers in the lower middle order who has the capability to bring a storm around the park in quick time. Klaasen has been in marvellous touch in recent times. He scored a century in the IPL, MLC and then also against Australia in a bilateral game.


All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj

Aiden Markram scored the fastest century in the history of ODI World Cup a few days back when he tore apart the Sri Lankan bowlers left and right of the park. He has been in good touch and also got a century in the lead up to the tourney against Australia. Markram can be very useful with his finger spin too.

Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj have fulfilled their roles quite well as an all-rounder. Jansen bagged six wickets from three matches with an uniformity of two scalps per game so far. Maharaj have five wickets to show under his name from the three matches.


Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee

Wankhede is regarded as one of the few surfaces in India that assists the pacers to a great extent. Henceforth, South Africa should move on with three regular pacers along with Jansen. So Gerald Coetzee should come into the XI. Barring him, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be the other options. The former has been brilliant with seven scalps from just three matches.


South Africa Predicted XI vs England

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden MarkarmHeinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Gerald Coetzee.