South Africa stormed into the Champions Trophy semifinals, thrashing England by seven wickets in their final Group B clash on Saturday. Powered by a stellar bowling display led by Marco Jansen and commanding fifties from Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen, the Proteas chased down 180 with 20.5 overs to spare, topping the group with five points.

England, already out of the semifinal race, crumbled to 179 in 38.2 overs—the tournament’s lowest total. Jansen (3/39) struck early, dismantling the top order, while Wiaan Mulder (3/25) and Keshav Maharaj (2/35) tightened the screws. England’s faint hope of a massive win to boost Afghanistan’s net run-rate was extinguished swiftly.

Chasing a modest target, South Africa lost Tristan Stubbs (0) to Jofra Archer early, but Ryan Rickelton’s brisk 27 steadied the innings. Van der Dussen (72*) and Klaasen (64) then took charge, stitching a match-defining 127-run stand. Klaasen, back from injury, smashed 11 boundaries, while van der Dussen’s unbeaten knock included six fours and three sixes. David Miller sealed the win with a towering six.

England’s decision to bat first after Jos Buttler’s final toss as ODI captain backfired. Jansen reduced them to 37/3, removing Phil Salt (8), Jamie Smith (0), and Ben Duckett (24). A 62-run stand between Harry Brook (19) and Joe Root (37) offered brief resistance, but Maharaj and Mulder struck to derail the recovery. Buttler (21) and Archer (25) added late runs, but Lungi Ngidi’s slower ball ended England’s innings.