South Africa held their nerves to defend a 164-run target after leaking 52 runs in three overs (15, 16 and 17). England were struggling at 87/4 in 14 overs before Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33) brought the Three Lions back in the contest.
However, sensational last three overs from Kagiso Rabada (4 runs in 18th over), Marco Jansen (7 runs in 19th over) and Anrich Nortje (6th in 20th over) did the job for South Africa.
After being asked to bat first South Africa were restricted to 163/6 despite a 86-run partnership off 59 balls between openers Quinton de Kock (65 off 38) and Reeza Hendricks.
Jos Buttler's exceptional glovework to take the catch of de Kock and run out Heinrich Klaasen with a direct hit on the non-striker's end took the sheen out of the South African innings.
It was experienced left-hand batter David Miller, who scored 43 off 28 to take South Africa to a fighting total. Jofra Archer picked three wickets for England but gave away 40 runs.
ENG vs SA: Who won Man of the Match in England vs South Africa match?
Quinton de Kock was adjudged Man of the Match for his 65 runs off 38 balls.
ENG vs SA: Who said what?
Quinton de Kock (Man of the Match): "It (the pitch) definitely doesn't play the same as night games. It's completely a different surface compared to the night games. There was a little bit of extra bounce early on. I try to carry on confidence game by game. We bowled really well in the powerplay, and we controlled it very nicely. To be able to defend 160 on a decent wicket is a good effort from us."
Jos Buttler (England captain): "Quinton came in with a lot of intent and we couldn't quite match that (in powerplay). We pulled it back and were happy to chase that target but his innings was the difference. We came back well with the ball. Brook and Livingstone had a fantastic partnership to get us close and even look like favourties but credit to South Africa for closing out the game.
"Really valuable. He's very understanding that you don't get to face many balls in T20 cricket at that positions. He's hitting the ball really well in the nets and backing himself. Looking forward to the next one."
Aiden Markram (South Africa captain): Last three overs we had a lot against us but the bowlers had good plans and pulled it off. Message after the powerplay was it got slower. If I am greedy we were 10-20 short especially after the start we got. Not quite played a completely game of cricket but we are on the right track. Quinny (de Kock) has been good for us in the last two games. It was a bit nerve-wracking in those overs but it can happen. The plans were there just the execution wasn't. I'm grateful that catch (off Brook) stuck.
ENG vs SA: Key Stats
- Anrich Nortje has picked a wicket at least in his last 16 T20I innings. This is the longest streak by any bowler in T20I history
- Anrich Nortje has 11 wickets and is now the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament
- Quinton de Kock (187) is now the second-highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2024