Fans react as South Africa edge England by 14 runs in a rain-hit first T20I at Cardiff

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The first T20I of the South Africa tour of England 2025 at Sophia Gardens turned into a dramatic rain-curtailed encounter, where the visitors claimed a 14-run win via the DLS method. With constant interruptions shrinking the contest into a shootout, both sides showcased flashes of brilliance, but it was South Africa’s power-hitters and disciplined bowlers who held their nerve to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Persistent showers delayed the start by nearly two hours, reducing the game to nine overs per side. England, after winning the toss, opted to bowl first. However, another downpour midway through the game further trimmed England’s chase, leaving them with the steep task of scoring 69 runs in just five overs.

England made a sharp start as Luke Wood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for a golden duck and later removed Lhuan-dre Pretorius cheaply. South Africa skipper Aiden Markram counterpunched with a sparkling 28 from 14 balls, striking two fours and two sixes to keep the innings alive. His dismissal to Adil Rashid threatened to slow the scoring, but Dewald Brevis (23 off 10) reignited momentum with three towering sixes, including two off Liam Dawson.

Donovan Ferreira then took center stage, hammering 25 from just 11 balls with three sixes of his own. Tristan Stubbs also chipped in with 13 off six before Jamie Overton uprooted his stumps. South Africa surged to 97/5 in 7.5 overs when rain forced another stoppage, leaving the Proteas in control.

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Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 69 in five overs, England’s hopes were dented immediately as Kagiso Rabada dismissed Phil Salt first ball. Jos Buttler led the fightback with an aggressive 25 off 11 balls, featuring one four and three sixes, but lacked support from the other end. Jacob Bethell struck a six but fell the very next delivery, while Harry Brook departed for a four-ball duck.

Tom Banton and Will Jacks failed to accelerate, and although Sam Curran smashed a late six, the chase had slipped away. Marco Jansen (2/18) and Corbin Bosch (2/20) bowled smartly under pressure, ensuring England could only muster 54/5 at the end of their five overs.

Ferreira’s fearless knock proved decisive and earned him the Player of the Match award. His late hitting turned a modest start into a formidable total that England could not chase down. With this win, South Africa take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and carry momentum heading into the second T20I.

Proteas take the W! ✅🦁✨#ENGvSA#SouthAfrica#Proteas

— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) September 11, 2025

South Africa hold their nerve in wet conditions to take the first #ENGvSA T20I 🙌.

— Muasharaf Parvaiz (@MuasharafP) September 11, 2025

South Africa won the rain shorted game

They are in some serious form as a team 🔥#ENGvSA

— its Shruti (@Shruti_v31) September 11, 2025

14 sixes in the game, and three boundaries between third-man and fine-leg. Jos added one in his signature style. 🔥#ENGvSA #WozaNawe #EnglandCricket

— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk) September 11, 2025

SA won the first T20I by 14 runs on a rain curtailed evening and go 1-0 up#ENGvSA

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) September 11, 2025

The way SA are playing White Ball Cricket,they should be firm favourites for next ODI WC at home, purely on Cricketing logic (now even C curse won't be there after WTC win). Even in T20I WC they can b favourite if they can find a way to counter Indian Spinners in India #ENGvSA

— Ambika (@apmahapatra) September 11, 2025

South Africa won 1st T20I by 14 Runs (DLS METHOD). Superb Knock A Markram 28(14), D Brevis 23(10) and D Ferreira 25*(11). Well bowled M Jansen 2/18, C Bosch 2/20 and K Rabada 1/11.#ENGvSA @boschy14 @BrevisDewald @AidzMarkram @KagisoRabada25

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) September 11, 2025

T20 that changed to T9 then changed to T5, but nonetheless, we will take a point, congratulations 🎊 👏 #Proteas #ENGvSA

— Mosibudi Madidimalo (@SibuuuM) September 11, 2025

Proteas overcome England & the Cardiff downpour! South Africa take a hard-fought 1-0 series lead. Game on! 🏏🌧️ #ENGvSA #Cricket

— SY The Nice Guy (@CtrlAltWe) September 11, 2025

Tf was that farce #ENGvSA

— Ray (@Rayinatorsport) September 10, 2025

I have to say, watching England try to chase down South Africa’s total, that that made for pretty grim viewing! #ENGvSA

— Dave Brookes (@TheDaveBrookes) September 10, 2025

Jos Buttler’s blitz: 25 off 11 balls, 3 sixes! 💥The only England batter who looked in control.But when he fell, so did England’s hopes.#ENGvSA #Buttler #ENGvsSA #T20i

— 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 (@viralnerve) September 10, 2025

If England had won this game we wouldn't be talking about Dls #ENGvSA #ProteaFire #Cricket

— foreverbaisbok fan😭🙌 (@UltraRonaldo7) September 10, 2025

MOTM in the 1st match of his comeback series🔥🔥😤Maddd Hitting from Don Don Don🚀🚀🚀#ENGvSA

— Basith🇿🇦 (@BasithSab) September 10, 2025

I know there's not alot that can be taken away because of the reduced overs. BUT the fact that the batsmen in the top order could smash the ball in such a small space of time is optimistic….for me, anyways….. #ENGvSA #Proteas #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt

— Mish ✌🏽 (@Mish_Sattar) September 10, 2025

Bonkers game. Surprised the South African bowlers allowed to bowl two overs in a five over innings. That equates to 8 overs in a 20 over innkngs. #ENGvSA

— David Begg (@dadbegg) September 10, 2025

I’m sure if England had won that they wouldn’t be so many people crying about DLS 🤣 #ENGvSA

— RADMATENT (@LodawgT) September 10, 2025

Easy win for South Africa, they'd have won the 9 over contest as well. 80 All out in last ODI and a comfortable win to start the T20Is#ENGvSA

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) September 10, 2025

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