England bowed out of the Champions Trophy with a whimper, following a seven-wicket defeat by South Africa.

Jos Buttler's side had already seen their elimination from the competition confirmed after back-to-back losses against Australia and Afghanistan.

And the Proteas pounced on a lacklustre batting display by their opponents in Karachi, whose target of 180 they successfully chased down to secure top spot in Group B.

Phil Salt was dismissed inside the opening over for just eight, while Jamie Smith (duck) and Ben Duckett (24) followed soon after.

Joe Root top-scored with just 37 while Buttler, who announced on Friday he would step down as England's white-ball captain after the tournament, hit 21 in his final innings as skipper.

Buttler's side were eventually bowled out for 179 in just 38.2 overs.

Their performance in the field was not much better. Jofra Archer bowled four wides in the first over, though he did go on to claim both of South Africa's openers in Tristan Stubbs (duck) and Ryan Rickelton (27).

However, that proved a false dawn for England. Rassie van der Dussen led the Proteas' charge with an unbeaten 72, while Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with 64 from 56 balls.

Within just 29.1 overs, South Africa had got the job done, with David Miller's six sending his nation through to the semi-finals as Group B winners, with either India or New Zealand awaiting them in the last four.

We're beaten in our final game of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

A disappointing campaign, but we know we'll be back stronger as a grouppic.twitter.com/b5aqxKm57Q
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 1, 2025

Data Debrief: Unwanted history for England

England exit the tournament having failed to win any of their matches in the group stage of a global event for the first time.

A seventh successive ODI defeat marks their worst losing run in 24 years, while they have now been beaten in 10 of their 11 matches in 2025 across all formats.

In those 11 matches, they have been dismissed inside their allocated overs on eight occasions.