South Africa v England ODI series: All you need to know

Match dates, times, squads, TV and streaming information, and more ahead of the ODI series between South Africa and England

What is it?

South Africa are hosting England for a three-match ODI series.

Where is it?

The first two matches will be held at Bloemfontein's Mangaung Oval before the series moves to Kimberley Oval, Kimberley, for the finale.

When is it?

First ODI: Friday, January 27 - Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (1pm local time, 11am GMT)

Second ODI: Sunday, January 29 - Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (1pm local time, 11am GMT)

Third ODI: Wednesday, February 1 - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (1pm local time, 11am GMT)

^{Jofra Archer is in line to return for England [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

What's on the line?

England versus South Africa has always been fierce rivalry and the ODI circuit is no exception to this. The two sides have contested 66 ODIs, with South Africa winning 31 and England 29. When they met in England in 2022, the series ended 1-1.

This series, rescheduled from 2020 due to Covid-19, forms part of the 2020-23 Cricket World Cup Super League cycle, with 10 points at stake in every match.

England have already qualified for the 2023 Cricket World Cup and though this might be a little early for them to start preparing for their title defence, no harm will be done if a squad missing a number of top performers can return home with a series win.

As for South Africa, they are yet to book their place at the World Cup and find themselves 29 points behind West Indies, who occupy the final automatic qualifying spot.

^{When the two sides met in England in 2022, the three-match ODI series ended 1-1 [Lindsay Parnaby/Getty Images]}

Who's involved?

After 18 months on the sidelines with injury, Jofra Archer is set to make his long-awaited return to international cricket. The quick, whose most recent outing in an England shirt came back in March 2021 against India, recently returned to competitive action with MI Cape Town in the SA20.

Matthew Mott has opted to stick with Jason Roy despite the Surrey batter's torrid white-ball form while Dawid Malan, who impressed in Australia in November, can also be expected to enjoy a run in the top order in Joe Root's absence. Root is missing the series to prepare for England's upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone (both injured) are the other notable absentees while Reece Topley is set for a return to international action after missing the T20 World Cup due to injury. Topley, like Archer and a number of other players, has been familiarising himself with the conditions by playing in the SA20.

Temba Bavuma will captain the Proteas and will be well rested after failing to earn a contract in the SA20.

Fast bowler Sisanda Magala hasn't played for South Africa since January 2022 due to fitness concerns but has worked his way back into contention for this series.

19-year-old Dewald Brevis, however, is not included despite his impressive batting performances in the SA20. He will, however, be considered for a series against West Indies in March.

England: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

^{Sisanda Magala could make his first international appearance for 12 months [Phil Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images]}

Where can you watch this?

Fans in the UK can watch all three matches on Sky Sports via Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401/Virgin 501) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404/Virgin 504).

In South Africa, the series will be available on SuperSport and the SuperSport app.

Elsewhere in the world, fans in India can watch the action unfold via the Sony network whlie in Australia, Foxtel have the broadcast rights.